Here, in the so-called western world—in the UK. In the US—when you say, “you tried,” it has unspoken context. “You tried,” translates to, “You tired—you ultimately failed—but you put in a little effort. We’ll grudgingly give you that.”

Not so in Nigeria! I can’t speak for the rest of Africa, because of course I can’t, but when a Nigerian* says, “you tried,” what they mean is, “Hey, you did your best, well done.”

I definitely prefer this outlook better. It’s the one I’m trying to take forward in my whole “Trial and Ellie” life experiment.

You can decide for yourself which camp my efforts fall into. (Though if it’s the former, maybe don’t tell me? At least not yet.)

*Upon re-reading this, it occurs to me that I perhaps shouldn’t assume this “worldview” is common among all Nigerians. Maybe it’s just my Nigerian. Regardless, you get the point.