Too many people are living under the disapproving eyes of others, or themselves.

Too many people are in the prison of expectation, and fear and so worried that others will see them as less than perfect, as damaged goods, as impure, as weak.

There are too many people who have been boxed into that corner by the careless, malicious or overbearing thoughts of others who have neither sensitivity nor compassion, or who insist that others must live like them.

There are too many people who are too quick to say others are wrong, others are imperfect, others are too this or too that.

It breaks my heart to see so many people collapsing under the weight of the pressure they have been put under because other people set standards and set rules that are lacking in wisdom, compassion, patience or love. And they have been so intimidated that they actually think those people are doing them a favour.

If you find someone collapsing under the pressure of judgement, I beg you to reach out to them with love, validation and affirmation.

I beg you.

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Chude Jideonwo

Chude Jideonwo is host of the TV and radio network #WithChude, which is creating safe spaces for conversations about mental, emotional and spiritual health across Africa. He is also co-founder of human flourishing company, Joy, Inc.