Never have I ever

Evany van WykI have I ever voted, been to America or committed a crime. Never have I ever wanted to die or pretended to be someone I’m not. This is usually where young people start taking shots, but I’m playing by myself and there is no alcohol involved. These topics probably have nothing in common, except that each young person has thought about it or will one day. So can you guess which of those statements is not quite true? Firstly, I am very excited to be able to vote for the first time ever this year. It gives me a sense of importance and self-worth. Yes, it may sound weird, but being able to vote is such a privilege and honour. Especially after the incredible journey that has brought us 29 years of independence. So I can’t wait to check that one off my list. People usually love to criticise the results of elections, but whether they actually vote is a question better left unanswered. Being the change you want to see in the world may start with you casting your vote. So get informed and vote wisely, because there is no turning back. Going to new places and discovering new things has always been my dream. Well no, that is a lie. I am not a big fan of change, but all the things I see on television tells me that America is quite a cool place to visit. Apart from the natural disasters, war threats, shootings and Donald Trump, what could possibly go wrong? There is probably not a young person out there that hasn’t dreamed of visiting America. I will definitely encourage young people to go and see the world. There are so many diverse cultures and people out there and they are all waiting to be discovered. I still definitely want to go, even with everything happening there. As young people we have so much to learn and this would be the perfect opportunity. If you have the means, do not hesitate.The crime thing is probably what I’m most proud of. In the world we live it in is very easy to get involved in shady dealings along the way. I may not have been an adult for long, but as far as crime goes, please count me out. I am a self-proclaimed goody two-shoes and the mere thought of making a mistake sends shivers down my spine. If I ever did decide to be a criminal, I’d probably be a really bad one, like the character called Jeff in Henry Danger. The fact that I watch that show testifies that my emotional capacity is not what it needs to be in order for a crime to be successfully committed. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for everyone. We live in a crime-filled society and it is really terrifying. Be brave, be vigilant, and if you’re considering committing a crime, please don’t. Find an alternative or do a deep dive into your innermost self and find the morals God placed within you.Wanting to die is probably something that everyone has said they wanted to do. But here’s the thing: You may say it, but meaning it is a different story. Once you start thinking about death, you should be very scared of yourself. Never allow yourself to be alone for a second, because that is when those thoughts start filling your head. Just live a life that will make you a happy chappy; no matter what happens, your life is always worth living. You can make a difference, and you will, just keep breathing. So, as you may have gathered, my previous statement about death was false. I indeed wanted to not exist anymore. Somehow I got out of that ditch, and now I have hopes of also making a difference and perhaps encouraging someone to value their life.Acceptance is very difficult for today’s youth, mainly because being yourself should be what makes you happy. Trying to be someone else just to gain acceptance is quite exhausting and never rewarding. People will always judge you, it doesn’t matter if you’re being the real you or the fake you. You just have to find a way to see the good in every situation and draw strength from the ones who love and care for you. People will never get tired of trying to make you feel as though you are not good enough. I find that listening to my favourite song, ‘You say’ by Lauren Daigle, reassures me that God is the only person whose opinion really matters.Personal experiences often make great testimonies and I hope that sharing what I went through and am going through lights a spark in someone out there. I am young, with little life experience and absolutely no idea of where I’m headed, but sometimes I have these random moments of wisdom. My grey hair can attest to that. So as far as wisdom goes, you better believe that I will share more of these random thoughts with you.evany@myzone.com.na

Never have I ever

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-09-18

Please login to leave a comment

Never have I ever

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-09-18

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content