Two days ago, I almost got "poisoned", though I didn't realize it at first.

Let me tell you what happened. So, three friends came over that afternoon at 2 p.m, just after I finished my appetizing mokimo for lunch.

I greeted them and moved chairs around to ensure everyone was comfortable. These were people I trusted, and I thought they meant well.

At first, it was the usual—talking about life, laughing, and sharing memories. But then, something felt off.

It wasn't apparent at first, but I could feel the change in the air.

"You're going to try this?" one of them asked, sounding odd.

"Not everyone succeeds, you know," another added, as if it were no big deal.

I smiled and brushed it off, but their words stuck with me.

My chest felt tight, and my hands went cold despite holding a warm mug. It was like something wasn't right.

The room felt different as their voices, which had been friendly before, now felt loud and sharp.

I stayed quiet, but inside, I felt like being pulled down.

Their words didn't feel like advice anymore.

They felt dangerous like they planted doubt in my mind.

Those seeds started to grow, making me question myself.

When they left, I sat there alone. The air felt heavy like something was still hanging over me.

That's when I understood what had happened.

Their words were like poison.

And for a second, I almost believed them. I nearly let their doubts control me.

So, who are these three friends?

Friend one is Self-Doubt. You know that feeling when you have something inside you, something you want to do, but then you share it with someone who doesn't believe in it? They give you poison, and suddenly, you start to doubt yourself.

Friend two is Fear. This friend warns you, "You can't do it. Don't try. It will be too embarrassing." If you listen, you stop trying and give up.

Friend three is Rejection. This friend tells you, "If you try this, you won't fit in with us." And somehow, you believe it. You start worrying you won't belong.

Now, here's the thing: what's holding you back from letting the writer inside you come out? What is stopping you from telling your story?

I'm here to hold your hand through this. You don't have to let those three friends control you. You don't have to let Fear, doubt, or Rejection stop you from writing the stories that only you can tell.

PS: Choose your friends wisely; welcome to my writing Tribe. You won't find any poison or polluted minds.