Nigerian Lives: 6 Nigerians Discuss How They Cope With Year-End Fatigue

Amid soaring food prices, relentless inflation, scorching sun, and harmattan winds, young professionals in Nigeria face yet another challenge; their mental health. Work, often monotonous and demanding, becomes even more draining as the year draws to a close. Emotions run low, and the universal longing for rest and reflection sets in. Yet, for many young Nigerians, year-end goals remain a pressing priority. Regardless of whether their 9-to-5 jobs offer a breather, they strive to wrap up the year with a sense of fulfillment.

In this piece, Culture Custodian spoke to six young Nigerians about their responsibilities and the strategies they’re adopting to step into the new year feeling less exhausted and more energized.

Dayo*, 29 

I’m the social media lead for a streaming platform. I work back-to-back campaigns including shows that run 24/7 or take weekends. But beyond actively working on shows, managing people above and below is exhausting especially in large companies. There are several people you answer to and they all have different needs and these needs are always urgent. I try to rest. I ensure I always sleep 7 hours minimum. If I don’t get it at night, I will take some during the day. It’s one way to stay sane in a social media role because we aren’t defined by the usual 9 to 5. We go round the clock. It’s almost inevitable. I pity my bosses sometimes. It just comes with the companies. If you want big companies with a presence in different countries, you’re going to deal with a lot, especially if you like to take ownership. The thing is to cherish your weekends when you own them, sleep a lot, be healthy, and spend on multivitamins, spa, gym — and the things that keep body and mind together.

Atlas, 29

I work in marketing, and strategy has taken all my energy this year. Every single quarter, I have had to think, test, and try out strategies. The sheer exhaustion from doing brain work and then following up with everyone responsible to make sure it is actually executed? I am coping by micro-dosing escapism. I’m not sure I can escape it next year either. My jobs and the industries I work in are high-stress. But let’s see what the new year brings.

Mira, 27

I work in the media space, I’m an editor managing a small but growing team of writers taking on pretty delusional (ambitious) projects. The thing is that we’re starting out so I’m putting the bones in, crafting (alongside my team) the look and feel of our brand and the broader editorial direction. Honestly,  meetings are the bane. I dread them. My social battery cannot take it anymore. I party almost as hard as I work, my friends are also a very big part of keeping my body and soul together.  I sleep. I just pick days, turn my phone off and sleep. But I’m trying to get my team to work more efficiently, planning ahead so we can get moments to just exhale. It can be very overwhelming.

Maddie*, 30

I run a consulting firm, which has been responsible for taking a large part of my energy. This year I got on multiple projects, a side quest while also running my PhD. I try to take quarterly breaks and long weekends to manage this when I can. I am taking the whole of December off to recharge and plan for the new year with a dash of enjoyment here and there. I think right now it is inevitable, I have goals that I am trying to meet. I will try to take my weekends more seriously though

Isabel, 24

I’m a pharmacist and up until last week, I worked at a major chain retail pharmacy in the country. I worked a 13-hour, 40-minute shift, 4 days a week or 3 days a week. It looked like we had time to rest seeing as we had off days but on your off days you’ll just be tired, your body and feet would be hurting terribly from all the standing, and don’t get me started on the “marketing” aspect. We had targets to meet so for each customer who walks in you have to pitch pricey products to them and follow up with them while still handling your day to day roles in the store. I tried to get leave but those weren’t granted so I quit. For next year, I need to find a job with few on-site days because navigating Lagos raids is a major cause of my exhaustion. 

Seun, 25

I work in finance for a private company in Lagos and what’s (mainly) responsible for taking a large part of my energy is going to work every single day. You don’t notice how much it exhausts you mentally and physically. It’s been a lot. I’m not coping, just trying to fight through it and drinking as much malt as I can. The major steps to fix it next year are getting a remote job and working in a less demanding role.