I was full of hope and excitement when I first entered the online world.
I imagined myself succeeding easily, building a life of freedom and fulfillment.
But the reality was very different. I was naive—an industry baby stumbling through unfamiliar territory.
My lack of experience quickly became apparent.
I fell for scams, lost money, and made countless mistakes. One experience, in particular, still stings.
I came across a "quick rich scheme" promising 10% daily returns on a Ksh 1,000 investment for a year.
Desperate to succeed, I invested my HELB loan, money desperately needed for exams.
Not only did I lose it all, but I couldn't afford to sit for my exams.
The heartbreak was unbearable. Worse still, I had referred my friends to the scheme, and they lost their money too.
At my lowest point, I walked away from everything.
I quit writing, quit dreaming, and buried the vision of the life I wanted.
The moment I realized I couldn't pay rent was the breaking point.
I was completely broke, trying to write articles, but no one seemed to care.
Every pitch and submission went unnoticed. I started believing writing wasn't for me.
In May of this year, something shifted. I stumbled upon The Alchemist after hearing much about it.
What caught my attention was a story about Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya's greatest athlete, receiving a Swahili version of the book from the author himself.
That connection made me curious, and I decided to give the book a chance.
Reading it was like a spark in the darkness; it reminded me of the importance of pursuing my personal legend – my true purpose.
Slowly, I began to find my way back to writing.
Starting over was challenging. I returned to Facebook, where I began sharing my work and connecting with people.
But at first, my posts went completely unnoticed.
No one liked, commented, or even acknowledged them.
I wanted recognition, and each ignored post felt like I was failing again.
But I kept pushing, determined to rebuild what I had lost.
The journey could have been smoother, but it's been worth it.
Since my comeback, I've written two short stories: When Fate Throws a Curve and The Greatest Shoe Hustle of Juja.
These stories have reignited my passion and helped me find a family of like-minded individuals who inspire and support me daily.
Today, I'm proud of how far I've come. The online world taught me hard lessons and gave me the tools to grow.
My writing is no longer about chasing success but connecting with others and staying true to my passion.
If you're reading this and feeling lost, I want you to know it's okay to stumble.
Every mistake you make can teach you something.
Don't give up on your dreams.
Your comeback story could be just around the corner – all it takes is a spark to reignite your light.
