If you are a young man about to start life after school or apprenticeship and you are in a romantic relationship, a lot of things will be uncertain in your life. At this stage, do not, for fear of losing your lover, make promises you cannot keep under pressure.

A 25 year old man and a 25 year old woman are not age mates. You may not understand this until you come face to face with a middle aged man who likes your girlfriend and is willing to marry her and do life with her.

From Abuja to Lagos, Aba to Onitsha, Uyo to Calabar, Kano to Jos; there are stories of young men who exhausted themselves trying to be the perfect boyfriend and sacrificed being the perfect man in the near future.

I am 33. My female friend who came to mind as I was typing this is also 33 with three kids. We became friends back in school, and if I had promised to date and marry her, the stress from the real world would have dealt with me.

The Nigerian economy has promises of being better in the future, but right now, you need to prioritise your personal journey. If loving someone becomes an existential threat to your progress and survival, let the person go.

Whatever you do, survive first.