They Say I’m Too Dramatic, But I’m Just Real

Title: “They Say I’m Too Dramatic, But I’m Just Real”

They say I’m dramatic.

Just because I speak up.

Just because I don’t keep quiet when something doesn’t feel right.

Just because I express myself clearly — even when it’s emotional.

But let me ask you something:

Since when did telling the truth become “too much”?

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Growing Up in Nigeria

In Nigeria, I was taught to be strong.

Strong meant “don’t cry.”

Strong meant “take the insult and move on.”

Strong meant “laugh with them, even when it hurts.”

You’re expected to be the tough guy, the one who doesn’t complain, the one who takes everything with a smile and silence.

Because if you speak up, they say:

• “You too dey feel things.”

• “Abeg, it’s just cruise.”

• “Why you too dey take things personal?”

But that’s how pain starts — small, silent, and slowly building.

Let me tell you about a time I saw someone post online that she was looking for her father.

You could feel her pain — she wasn’t doing it for attention; she just wanted answers.

Then someone jumped into the comments and wrote, “You’re a bastard, get the f** out of here.”*

Just like that.

She deleted the post.

I saw it and I got angry. I told that person, “You don’t talk like that. You don’t know what someone is going through.”

I used Nigerian English — casual, expressive — the way I know how to speak.

Then the person said, “Your English is wrong.”

Imagine — instead of reflecting on the insult, they focused on my grammar.Even Abroad, The Same Judgement Follows

When I moved to the UK, I expected better.

But sometimes, it’s the same thing in a different accent.

They ask me to “talk properly.”

They make faces when I say certain words.

They mock my expression, my tone, my truth.

If I say something bothered me, they say,

“You’re being sensitive.”

“If you react too much, people won’t take you seriously.”

“Chill, it’s not that deep.”

But let’s be honest

It IS that deep.

Words carry weight.

Insults leave scars, even if you don’t see them.

When you’ve been holding back pain for years, it doesn’t take much to trigger it.

Being Real Isn’t Being Weak

People throw the word “dramatic” around like it’s an insult.

But it’s often used to shut you down.

When someone calls you dramatic, what they’re really saying is:

“You’re making me uncomfortable with your honesty.”

“You’re not pretending like I am.”

“You’re too real for me.”

And that’s their problem — not yours.

If caring, feeling, and expressing yourself makes you “too much,”

Then maybe the world needs more of “too much.”

To Anyone Who’s Been Called Dramatic…

This is for the people who cry when no one else does.

For the ones who speak up while others stay quiet.

For the ones who are tired of pretending everything is fine.

Maybe you feel things deeply — that’s not a flaw. That’s humanity.

Maybe you speak with emotion — that’s not a weakness. That’s bravery.
You are not “too dramatic.”

You are aware, honest, and unapologetically real.

Let’s Normalize Feeling

Imagine if we all just told the truth more.

If we said, “That hurt me,”

Instead of laughing through it.

If we asked, “Are you okay?”

Instead of judging from a distance.

Some people wear confidence like armor.

Others wear pain like perfume — you can’t see it, but it lingers.

So next time someone speaks up about how they feel listen.

Don’t label. Don’t shame. Just listen.

Final Thoughts

I’d rather be called dramatic for expressing myself than be praised for suffering in silence.

I’d rather speak with emotion than laugh at pain.

And if caring, feeling, and speaking truthfully makes me “too dramatic”

Then yes, I am. And I’m proud of it.

Because at the end of the day, being real is braver than being silent.