When I was growing up, I wasn’t familiar with a lot of things people my age were familiar with. I’ve never watched no Avengers, no Pokemon, no Transformers, and the list goes on. That’s till date. I only watched Ben 10 twice, and it was not in my house, lol.
You may then ask, “What the hell did you watch?” I doubt you’ll know them sha. They’re so rare that when I found this girl that watched one of them, I was so excited and I told myself I’d marry her.
Okay, the marriage part was a little exaggerated and was due to some other factors but yeah, you get the point.
I’m guessing, (in fact, hoping) that we all watched Barney while growing up. But I also watched things like Donut Man, and I wanted to join them. I even had a crush on a boy on there named Andy. No homo, of course…lol
If you watched Pre School Power, I’m marrying you as well. You’re welcome to join my Pre-School Power harem (giggles in R. Kelly). That show really taught me a lot of things and gave me a head start in education. Highly recommend.
A lot of what I watched growing up was so unpopular, I don’t even remember the titles, only the songs. Like the one where they sing Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley, and, “I can do magic, so can you”. I also remember Magic Key. “We are Anneena Patel”. Okay, here we go.
If you remember any of these movies, holla at me. I’m sure we would make very good friends.
Let’s talk about football. Follow me, I promise I’m going somewhere. Maybe, not where I said we would, but better to go somewhere than nowhere, right? Okay.
When I got into JS2, most of the guys in my class were fascinated with football. I was too, I guess. Although the number of full matches I watched in JS2 and JS3 was not up to 20. I had no excuse, lol, my cousin had a viewing centre. All I watched were YouTube highlights and NTA/AIT Sports Hour. And ohh, Best of Neymar, Ronaldo vs Messi type stuff.
But nobody knew, thank God. You see, I’m actually so smart that I would learn just enough to have a general understanding of things and look like I knew it all. It’s the classic old con, make you fill in the gaps in your head.
Let’s bring it to present day. I know Shallipopi is trending right now and all, but I’ve never heard a full Shallipopi song. I tried to listen to Pepperline, but the part that sounds like our nursery rhyme was the only part remotely appealing to me. Even “Cast” the one with Odumodu Blvck, who I kinda listen to by the way, I’ve only heard snippets from y’all statuses. I don’t even know how to say the “wig and handbag” line. I don’t know how y’all do it, but I guess it’s not just for me.
Needless to say, I’m almost immune to the Fear of Missing Out. I don’t care what y’all are listening to, or doing, I’m on my own stuff. I could go on and on about artistes I’ve never heard, but y’all better recommend some “popular” artistes that are actually good for me to listen to.
Probably the reason why I can listen to Luther Vandross from the 90s and still listen to Burna Boy from 2023. And that’s the point, FREEDOM TO BE DIVERSE.
But screw this lecture, what is FOMO. The full meaning is Fear of Missing Out. And it is what it says, a fear of missing out. It’s that feeling when you see your guys whispering and you’re itching to know what they’re saying, not because you think they’re talking about you, but because you don’t want to be the odd one out.
But that’s the thing about the herd mentality, the bandwagon effect. See, I love buffalos, but they don’t have an individual identity or strength. Compared to the lion, my animalistic role model in addition to the eagle. A lion has a pride (not the type that goes before a fall, lmao) but has an individual mentality.
Especially the males. It will be hard for you to find two male lions in the same territory without them fighting. Because one of them is obviously encroaching. They all have groups but are singularly minded.
So would you rather be a lion or a flock of goats. Remember when the lion comes, the goats have to scatter.
There are over 1000 “popular” artistes in the world. Check YouTube if you think I’m lying. Omo, if I was to listen to every one of their songs as they release them, I’d basically need a whole year, that’s minus upcoming artistes and old music.
Where would I find time to make my own music and articles. Where would I find the time to eat and sleep. Where would I even get the data, lol.
Now apply that to news, trends and in fact anything in life. I no go gree for anybody ohh, but I’m doing that in my lane. Yes, I badly want to be loved but only on my own terms. I’m okay with missing out, to keep y happiness and sanity. Anything that is for me will find its way to me, long as I stay in my lane. Amen.
P.S: If you’ve been following my work, you’ll be aware of the fact that I’m dropping an EP soon - PRELUDE TO THE DARK SIDE. The tracklist and the artwork will be dropping on Friday so do well to stalk my Instagram, lol
You watched The Donut Man?!!
Also, individuality is a sacrifice not a lot of people are ready to pay these days. It's nice to see someone speak up!😊