Change wasn't just about stepping into the unknown—it was about learning to trust yourself once you got there.
Akutu had accepted the internship. The decision was made. But the weight of it still sat in her chest like an unopened letter, filled with possibilities and uncertainties.
Would she be good enough? Could she handle it? What if she disappointed herself?
There was only one way to find out.
The following week, she received the official program details. The internship would be remote, but demanding—weekly writing submissions, virtual workshops, and regular feedback from professional writers.
At first, it seemed manageable. But as the days passed, balancing school with the internship became harder than she expected.
Between lectures, assignments, and writing deadlines, she barely had time to breathe. Her meals became rushed bites between tasks, and her sleep schedule suffered again.
She had promised herself she wouldn't repeat past mistakes. But was she falling into the same cycle?
One evening, Jenny and Kweku staged an intervention.
Jenny crossed her arms. "We need to talk."
Akutu groaned. "If this is about my schedule—"
"It is," Kweku interrupted. "You're drowning again, Akutu."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I just need time to adjust."
Jenny shook her head. "No, you need balance. Again. You can't afford to burn out. Not now."
Akutu looked between them. They weren't wrong. She had fought too hard for her stability to lose it now.
She took a deep breath. "Okay. What do I do?"
Jenny smirked. "For starters, let's make a proper schedule—one that includes eating and sleeping like a normal human being."
Kweku added, "And don't be afraid to ask for help. You don't have to do this alone."
With their support, she reorganized her days. Smarter, not harder.
She set strict writing hours. She used campus libraries for quiet focus. She learned to say no to unnecessary distractions.
Slowly, things got better.
And for the first time, she didn't feel like she was just surviving. She was growing.
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.