We live in a time where independence is celebrated, and “minding your business” is almost seen as a badge of honor. But behind the closed doors of our apartments, compounds, and gated communities lies a simple question many of us rarely pause to consider: how well do you really know the person living next to you?
Your neighbor could be the one to notice something strange around your home, lend a helping hand in an emergency, or even become an unexpected friend. Yet, in a culture that teaches us to stay in our lane, many of us treat the people living a few feet away like strangers on the street.
I have always said something interesting which many of us would agree with, "We can't do this life on our own."
It is very funny hearing people say, "Nobody has ever helped me. I got to where I was on my own." Such words are very unrealistic and prideful. What do you mean, no one has ever helped you, or no one has helped you to get to where you are? Even the billionaires of this world would never say such a thing. We were born a children and without the help of other people, how could we have survived?
Now, let's bring that to our neighborhood, let's talk about that disgusting attitude of "I will be on my own and I don't need to relate to anyone."
I do have a friend whom I stayed with for a month, and this guy loves doing things on his own and doesn't even relate to his neighbor. Even when some of his neighbors are locked outside the gate and he is called to come help since he works from home, he would rather leave them to stay outside the gate until someone else goes to help the person open the gate. He has been doing it for a long time, so when I came around and we needed a blender since ours is bad, I was like, "Let's ask the lady staying opposite our door and he was like
"Nah, I have never spoken to her before."
I was shocked because how can you say you have never spoken to your neighbor or avoid conversation with them.
His current situation now is that people are avoiding him, and they will not help him.
We are called social animals for a reason because we can only grow, prosper, and reach a certain level only when we socialize.
When staying in a compound, society, or estate that has more than one person staying apart from you, it's better to socialize and know one or two people. Try making friends and stop the mentality of "Oh, I can do it on my own, I don't need people."
It is very important to know your neighbor; they might be the one to save your life one day, the life of your child, or the one who would be the biggest support you will ever have. At the end of the day, being a good neighbor isn’t just about borrowing salt or helping someone lift a heavy bag. It’s about building trust, showing kindness, and creating a small community within the walls of where you live. Life is unpredictable, and you never know when the person living next door might be the one standing between you and trouble, or the one who brightens your day with the simplest gesture. So, ask yourself again, are you the kind of neighbor you’d like to have? If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to change that.
Thanks for reading. My name is Fashtioluwa.
Image is mine
