Why Young People Must Choose Themselves....

I am a media personality, a writer and the founder of Uncut Media Kenya.

Storytelling has always been how I connect with the world, but last year challenged everything I thought I understood about work, identity, and resilience.

Losing my dad in July 2025 was a turning point. Grief didn’t arrive loudly but it settled quietly and reshaped how I moved through life, what I valued, and what I could no longer ignore.

I was initially in denial that my dad was gone so I quickly resumed work as if nothing had happened. A big mistake. (Now I know)

I ended up navigating a work environment that drained me during a period when I needed care the most.

I tried to push through, believing endurance meant strength, but I slowly lost touch with myself. I wasn't myself.

That season taught me an important lesson, that ambition without self-respect can lead to burnout, and staying in spaces that limit you is not the same as growing.

I have shared in a previous story here on World Pulse that I regret not respecting my grief. Work was not that important. I should have taken time off to heal from my loss.

Interestingly, my dad was my best friend, a friend who always encouraged me to follow my dreams. He cheered me on. I actually thought it would make him happy if I just resume work immediately. He had a strong work ethic. I was obeying him. 20+ years of being with him couldn't have been mourned in a week. Yes, I was wrong.

Healing required honesty and community. I learnt this the hard way. Depression anxiety and panic attacks caught up with me.

I was hospitalised for weeks on medication, therapy and psychiatrists.

I had to slow down, sit with my grief, and return to creating freely.

Writing here on World Pulse became a way to process my loss and reconnect with purpose. I started sharing this loss plus my journey in the hospital.

Support from mentors, friends, and family reminded me that we don’t heal alone and that mental health deserves real attention.

Two initiatives on mental health here on World Pulse are doing great and I'm happy that my journey towards healing has impacted over 35 people, on and offline.

Today, Uncut Media Kenya is growing again. We are back to doing events, editorials, event photography, publishing, radio and more.

More importantly, the work feels intentional.

This journey isn’t just mine. I hope Young people especially girls know two things; self-employment is possible and mental health is very important. Prioritize it.

Dreams are worth protecting and we don’t have to settle for spaces that shrink us.

There's so much we can do to create income. Let's keep learning new skills and using what we have to create purpose and better our lives.

We won't give up.

With care, courage and community, we can build lives and work that truly reflect who we are.

With Love,

Mendy 🇰🇪