How I'm Coping with the weather

We have had a lot of heat recently and while Onitsha is usually hot because there are too many people and the sun, the heat we are currently experiencing is a bit rougher. I sweat so much even when sitting down doing nothing.

To cope with this heat I have changed my routine. I now get up at 5.30am to do all my housework and outside exercise. I sweep, do my shopping and get my water early. I am back inside by 10 am as after this time the sun can cause you to faint. In my room, I sometimes put water on my floor to try and cool down slightly. My curtains are always open to let the breeze in. I always take my water with me.

Honestly, it feels like a punishment to go out everyday....I put on my nice clothes but by the time I get to where I need to go my top is already ruined with sweat. My face is oily and my body feels sticky. If I have to wait by the roadside for the bus, I feel like crying. Last time I went to Upper Iweka to get something by 2 pm I felt as though I was going to faint. The traffic, sun, noise and engine heat from the cars made me feel very sick.

I am not really getting anything done because of the heat. I enjoy writing and being online in the afternoons but it is the worst time to get anything done. My brain just goes blank. I will pick up my phone to write but then drop it because of the heat. I feel so tired. Even at night I can't sleep well because my room is hot and there are lots of mosquitoes. I feel so tired when I wake up and this causes a cycle. I can only really get serious work done between 6am - 10 am and 7pm - 11 pm as everything is a bit quiet.

I am spending money because of the heat. I am buying so much more than usual. I buy sachet water every day. Cold bottled water. And fan ice blocks. I even bought a little rechargeable hand fan last week for 8k as I can't live without it. My NEPA bill is high because we have to pump more water and fan. If there isn't any light we pay money to help fuel the generator in our compound. Overall I am spending more this month than last month because of the heat.

I am just coping and hoping it rains more. This heat is tough and I know many people are struggling.

What are you doing to stay cool? Are you spending more because of the heat?

image source chatgpt