You are 24, fresh out of college.

Everything you thought would happen to you in Uni might have happened- new friends, emotional, mental, and physical growth, a glow-up, and for people like me who love things with layers and a bit of depth- unforgettable experiences that came with unforgettable lessons.

However, it has recently started occurring to you that there is some sort of disappointment that flashes back and forth from your mind. Then there is the realization that they lied to you. ‘Hey, go to school, get good grades and you will get a good job then everything will be sorted.’ With a good job comes all the things your teenage self (the naïve girl who knew no impossibilities) dreamt of. A nice apartment in a nice neighborhood, a car to avoid the noisy Rongai and Ngong’ Road matatus, weekend gateways to ‘Vasha’ because the gram lied to you that it is the hotbed of all things fun, brunch at Milan or Gemini where you can afford overpriced Mimosas.

It is now six months after the overrated day ( graduation) and all those dreams still seem like meager wishes. You are still struggling to live off the 19k salary that you get from being a social media intern at this recently set-up start-up.

Those dreams for brighter days begin to fade. ‘Why did all the hope I had about life go? How is Alice from high school managing to live large yet my future seemed brighter than hers? She is getting sponsored.’ You conclude in an attempt to convince yourself that your life is better. ‘At least I have a job. At least I can afford rent. At least I am not borrowing. Plus the start-up seems like it is growing, so there are chances that my salary will increase. Better yet, I am building my CV. Maybe soon I will get a better job. Maybe soon, all these dreams will become reality. Maybe soon, I will live the life my teenage self-hoped for and was convinced of the prospects.’ With this, you retire to bed and look forward to another day. Tomorrow might be my day for a breakthrough.

And so, you sleep and wait.

THAT IS HOPE FOR YOU. That is what it does.  It makes you leave another day because MAYBE, just maybe, tomorrow things will be better.