Intriguing Adulthood: Lessons from Nkonim’s Journey

"Reality has made me realize that adults are learners who have had more time learning and are aware that there’s way more to learn than has already been learnt". -Nkonim

Nkonim is a student leader, one that is passionate about public speaking and debates. He's currently the Minority leader for University of Ghana's Parliament. Let's see what he has for us.

Adwoa: You're welcome Nkonim, to the Adulting Decoded series on Eagle's Pursuit. Your first question, in one word, summarize how adulthood has been so far.  

Nkonim: Thanks, Adwoa. One word... I'd say, Intriguing.

Adwoa: At what point in your life did it dawn on you that you’re an adult?

Nkonim: It was when everyone around me started asking about long term plans regarding career growth, financial stability and even marriage. At that point, I was so amazed because ideally these were topics and conversations that I thought were for older people - but now they were being discussed among me and my peers.

I quickly exclaimed: I am an adult.  

Adwoa: Growing up, what did you imagine adulting would be like?

Nkonim: I thought adulting would be a period where I had total freedom and access to anything I wanted because I was grown, and everything and everyone around me would quickly respond to my interests. Simply put, I thought life would be a lot easier.

Adwoa: What’s the earliest memory of realizing independence wasn’t just freedom, but responsibility?

Nkonim: It was in high school where I didn’t have my parents around me to tell me what to do. I wasn’t entirely free from compulsion and tasks, but I had some freedom. I was all caught up when I noticed I had to study on my own without anyone actually demanding so much of accountability from me, my parents would definitely call but in the end, they reiterated that it fully depended on whether I was ready to work for whatever I wanted. This made me aware that a season had changed and much of the responsibility of doing things that mattered to me was my mine.

Adwoa: What two values or habits are very mandatory in the world of adulthood?

Nkonim: I'll go for Integrity and Focus.

Adwoa: Okay, did you ever think adults had it all figured out? How has reality challenged that?

Nkonim: Yes, I did. It seemed as if they were perfect.  Reality has made me realize that adults are learners who have had more time learning and are aware that there’s way more to learn than has already been learned.

Adwoa: What role does your faith play in your life as an adult?

Nkonim: I’m of the Christian faith and it literally guides in all aspects. There’s no book that has given me more meaning to life and wisdom than the Bible.

I’d also say building my relationship with the Holy spirit has been my greatest treasure. He has taught me how to listen more than speak and to love greatly rather than expect to be loved.

Adwoa: My last question, what’s one daily routine that helps you stay sane as an adult? Nkonim: Reflections - being quiet and still. During this daily period, a ton of ideas pop-up, memories come back and scrutiny of actions begins, it is during this period that I have the greatest forms of self-assessments and revelations of myself.

Adulthood is all about learning indeed. Thanks for joining us, and remember, integrity, focus, and a dash of quiet reflection might just be the cheat codes to this game called adulthood!”

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