Once upon a time, you couldn’t afford a good new pair of shoes. Remember that? The ones you wore until the sole nearly gave out, toes rubbing against the ground, rain soaking through the holes. You didn’t complain, you just kept going, hoping the next salary might stretch far enough to cover a new pair.
Once upon a time, you couldn’t afford a decent place to live. The kind where you didn’t have to worry about leaks when it rained or noise through paper-thin walls. Maybe you shared a room, maybe you crashed on a couch, maybe you just made do. You dreamed of four walls that felt like peace, not just shelter.
Once upon a time, eating out felt like a luxury. Owning a car felt like winning the lottery. Even a quiet weekend without financial stress felt out of reach.
And now? You have some of those things. Some good pairs of shoes, a place that feels like home, a little stability. Maybe even more than you ever thought you’d have back then.
It may not be the things mentioned but most of your goals, dreams, prayers and whispers in your heart have been achieved.
But it’s easy to forget.
Life moves forward and you get used to the things you once longed for. You start thinking about what’s next, what’s missing, what you haven’t achieved yet. You forget how far we have come and the gratitude that once came with every small step forward.
But stop for a second.
Remember who you were when you were just trying to get by. Remember how hard you worked, how many times you kept going when it felt like nothing was working out. You owe it to that version of you to pause and be proud.
You didn’t always have what you have now, and that’s something worth remembering.
So take a moment. Look around. Remember when you wished for what you now hold in your hands. Let that memory shape your heart with humility, fill your spirit with gratitude, and remind you that you are living in what was once a dream.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
