THE HARDEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY LIFE This is based on a real-life experience. Today, 27 October, marks two years since I made the most difficult decision of my life. It was a decision I never imagined I would have to make, but one I felt was necessary for my survival. It was a decision to leave the woman I loved so dearly; the woman I once believed I could lay down my life for; the woman I called my wife and the mother of my children. That woman is none other then, Ajah Gloria Chidinma. It was not an easy decision. In fact, it was one of the most painful experiences of my life. HOW IT HAPPENED It all happened on a Sunday morning, 27 October 2024. I had decided not to attend the Sunday service because I had already made up my mind about what I needed to do, so I left the house early in the morning. After Gloria, my former wife, left for church with the kids, I returned home and began packing my clothes, shoes, laptops and credentials. But before leaving, my thoughts turned to my three lovely children: - Chimamanda, whom I fondly call "Fine Ada". - Chukwuemeka, my "Fine Bobo". - Sochimelum, my "Fine Tata", who was only six months old at the time. As I thought about my children, tears filled my eyes. I cried until my eyes became red. Leaving them behind was not what I wanted, but I felt I had reached a point where I needed to make a difficult choice for my own well-being. I gathered my bags and walked out of the house. Before leaving the compound, I turned around and looked at the house one more time. Deep down, I wondered whether I would ever return to live there again. Some of our neighbours may have noticed that something was wrong. However, I greeted them and continued on my way. Nobody could have known the weight of what I was carrying in my heart. Sometimes, the people who look strong on the outside are fighting the hardest battles on the inside. WHY DID I MAKE SUCH A DIFFICULT DECISION? Why should I remain in a marriage where, despite my efforts, I could no longer find peace of mind? Why should I continue carrying an invisible burden on my shoulders and in my heart for days? Why should silence, emotional distance and a lack of communication become normal in a marriage? Should I have continued rushing out early in the morning and returning home late at night simply to avoid arguments and tension? Should I have remained in a situation where I could smile at work but struggled to find that same happiness at home? Should I have continued when my mental health was suffering and thoughts of suicide had begun to seem like an option? What would you have done if you were in my position? The list of what I went through is long, but I do not intend to tell every detail of my experience. My purpose is not to condemn anyone. Rather, I want someone who may be passing through a similar situation to understand that their life matters. MY PERSONAL VIEW ON MARRIAGE I believe marriage should be a place where love, peace, kindness, trust, respect and understanding can grow. No marriage is perfect. Every couple faces challenges, disagreements and difficult seasons. Where both partners are willing, communication, counselling, accountability and genuine efforts can help to restore a troubled relationship. However, when a relationship becomes harmful to your emotional and mental well-being, it is important to take the situation seriously and seek help. "Marriage should not cost you your life." One of life's painful experiences is finding yourself in a relationship where you feel you are losing yourself while trying to make things work. If you have tried to resolve the problems but the situation continues to harm you, please do not ignore the warning signs. Speak to someone you trust, seek professional support where possible, and consider the steps necessary to protect yourself. And please, do not allow the fear of what people will say to keep you trapped in a d