We all carry around a few maybes—those half-formed ideas and dreams that hover in the background, whispering that maybe one day, we'll take the plunge. Maybe I'll move out. Maybe I'll go back to school. Maybe I'll buy land in that quiet town. Maybe I'll cut ties with that draining friend. These thoughts are not always harmless. Some maybes haunt us for years, quietly costing us peace, time, clarity, or money.
This article explores real, grounded examples of Kenyans wrestling with maybes—choices that linger, pull energy, and clutter our decision-making. And how, by eliminating a maybe—either by turning it into a solid yes or a firm no—we make space for clarity and progress.
1. Muthoni – The Maybe of Buying Land in Naivasha
The Maybe: Muthoni had her eye on a piece of land in Naivasha for months. She envisioned weekend getaways, a tiny home, maybe even hosting creatives for retreats.
The Cost of the Maybe: She spent months obsessively browsing listings, calculating costs, watching container home videos. She made multiple trips to Naivasha, each time leaving more uncertain. The area was more developed than she’d hoped. Prices were rising. The energy didn’t match the vision. But she couldn't stop thinking, "Maybe it’s still the right place."
The Yes and No: Muthoni made the trip one last time and decided to eliminate the maybe with a no. She realized that the dream of Naivasha didn’t match the reality. The traffic, the cost, the hustle—it wasn't the sanctuary she imagined. She walked away with a deeper understanding of what she did want: solitude, low development, creative space. She redirected her energy toward Kilifi, where she had lived before and felt more at home.
The Outcome: Saying no brought relief. Not instant answers, but clarity. And clarity is progress.
2. Brian – The Maybe of Moving Out
The Maybe: Brian, 33, works in Kilimani and lives at home in Kikuyu. He earns KES 100,000 and saves diligently—KES 50,000 monthly. But the home environment is draining. Noise, lack of privacy, and a neighborhood church that hosts all-night services four nights a week have eroded his mental peace.
The Cost of the Maybe: Emotionally, Brian is burnt out. He escapes the chaos by spending weekends out, just to get quiet. This costs him KES 5,000–7,000 monthly. He feels stuck—neither here nor there.
The Yes and No: He could move out and pay KES 20,000 for a bedsitter closer to work—but the quality is poor. He could reduce savings, but that would delay his long-term goal of owning a home.
Decision: Brian says no to moving out for now—but this is an intentional no. He will stay at home until March, keep saving aggressively, and spend Sundays in the botanical gardens for rest. He is exploring jobs outside Nairobi. The maybe has a deadline.
The Cost of the No: He sacrifices comfort and peace temporarily. But with a clear strategy, the tradeoff feels purposeful—not passive.
3. Njeri – The Maybe That Should Have Been a Yes
The Maybe: Njeri, 29, had a chance to move to Mombasa for a slower-paced job that paid slightly less. She hesitated. She liked the ocean, the slower life, and the culture—but her friends were in Nairobi, and so was her comfort zone.
The Cost of the Maybe: She agonized over it for months. She finally said no, but without conviction.
The Aftermath: A year later, she's still in Nairobi, still overwhelmed. The job is draining, and her friendships are more distant than she expected. That maybe might have been a better yes. Now she knows—but the chance is gone.
The Lesson: Not every no brings peace. But clarity still comes. And the next maybe will be faced with more courage.
4. Kibe – The Maybe of a Long-Term Friendship
The Maybe: Kibe had a long-time friend who had become increasingly negative and competitive. He often left their conversations drained and second-guessing his goals. But they had a long history.
The Cost of the Maybe: Kibe spent years navigating this friendship like walking on eggshells. It cost him emotional stability, and his self-esteem took a hit.
The Yes and No: One day, after yet another backhanded conversation, Kibe decided to cut ties. He sent a respectful message and walked away.
The Outcome: He mourned the loss—but in the months that followed, his creativity returned. He made space for new, kinder connections. Saying no to that maybe gave him back his voice.
5. Shiko – The Maybe That Became a Yes, Differently
The Maybe: Shiko dreamed of opening a bakery. But rent in Nairobi was too high, and she couldn’t risk quitting her job.
The Cost of the Maybe: For years, she baked only on weekends and sold to coworkers. She constantly wondered if she was wasting her time.
The Yes: Instead of a shop, she started an Instagram page, took pre-orders, and found a shared kitchen space. Her maybe turned into a yes, not as a storefront, but as a thriving online business.
The Outcome: The dream didn’t die. It evolved.
Final Thoughts: The Real Cost of Maybes
Maybes are not neutral. They occupy emotional bandwidth, clutter our thinking, delay decision-making, and often cost us money or peace. Saying yes isn't always glamorous. Saying no isn't always easy. But choosing—truly choosing—gives us power.
Not all maybes lead to magic. Some must be eliminated to clear the fog and see what actually matters. When you eliminate one maybe, you say yes to a clearer life.
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