By Hamdiatu Yakubu

What do you do when you feel stressed, tired, lonely, estranged, fed-up, at sea? Have you ever felt like “I need an escape?” That point in a time where you feel like I need to do something else to be at ease or feel better? A kind of backup you lean or rely on when air is tight to your chest and breathing seems not to be helping?

We all have an escape to which we turn to when things get antsy and we are at sea. It is normal to want to leave the world behind and be alone, ironically, it’s quite impossible. That's when you need “an escape window,” as mentioned by an actress in the show 40 & Single (whose creator, Leila Djansie, is Ghanaian).

Mind you, an escape window is not only to distract you, but also a way to invest your energy in order to stay positive. For instance, you find yourself offering a course you do not like, yet you have to, what is your healthy distraction or escape window to stay positive while taking the course. How do you stay sane and positive when there are misunderstandings between you and very important persons in your life? Where do you invest your energy when all is not well and giving up or throwing tantrums is not an option? You can even say that, logging in to your social media platforms, listening to music, taking a nap, going for a walk, watching videos, taking pictures, amongst other things we do when we are bored are all healthy distractions that help us concentrate when our minds go blank.

Let's look deeper into other crucial instances in our lives as mentioned above when we will need a break. What do you do to stay positive, alive, and grinding? A friend tells you “I don’t like my job but I need the money to finance my education.” What do you say to them? Quit? No! They need an escape window or healthy distractions, like writing, volunteering, exploring their talents, networking, or doing a side business (if possible).

Sometimes completely leaving isn't the best option, take a breather, if it’s not possible to continue, then reinvest your energy elsewhere. It's important to stay productive, but your sanity is important as well. I always visit my mind’s world when I hit the rock, I imagine my life going smoothly the way I would have wished. I also write like bringing this piece out, which may be someone’s escape window just by reading it and staying positive and refreshed.

Don’t be confused. Calm down. Think about yourself and all the things you love to do or have. Do think about them and stay alive when all is not well. Your sanity matters. Well, I call it my ESCAPE WINDOW. What or how do you term yours?  Anyways, YOU COME FIRST!

Hamdiatu Yakubu is from Ghana, West Africa. She recently completed her English-language studies at Kirkwood Community College and is currently working as a communication intern and project assistant at a non-governmental organization in her country. She loves nature, cooking, watching movies, languages, writing, and photography.