Stranger Danger, or not.

Listen, maybe strangers aren't actually dangerous. That doesn't mean you should get into their car sha.

Some of the best therapy sessions don’t happen in a room with a couch and a ticking clock on the wall. Sometimes, they happen under a tree, during a quiet evening walk, or in an unexpected moment with a stranger you’ll never meet again.

Let me show you what I mean.

Story 1: A Stranger Under the Tree

It’s just another afternoon at the park. You find yourself sitting on a bench under the shade of a sprawling tree, lost in thought. The bench is long enough for five people, but for now, it’s just you, until someone arrives.

She sits at the opposite end, leaving a polite distance between you two. After a moment of silence, her voice breaks the air.

“A penny for your thoughts?”

You glance at her, a half-smile forming.
“My thoughts are more expensive than a penny. Can you afford it?”

She doesn’t miss a beat.
“Try me and see.”

You sigh, letting your thoughts tumble out.
“I’m just thinking about the clouds: moving in company yet in solitude. They drift so slowly, it seems they’re stagnant. But in reality, they’re making progress. When I compare myself to them, I don’t see myself there. Everyone else seems to be moving forward, and I’m just… stuck. Stagnant, if that’s the word.”

You hesitate before adding with a wry grin, “And that would be N50,000.”

She chuckles softly, her words coming like a gentle nudge to your perspective.
“And why do you feel stuck? Have you thought that maybe you’re just a late bloomer? Life is a sequence, and we all have our turns. It can’t happen at the same time for everyone.”

She stands abruptly, brushing off imaginary dust from her hands.
“Send me your account number, sweetheart. I’ll see you around soon.”

You wave after her as she walks away. “I’ll be expecting the alert!” you call out with a small laugh.

It’s only after she’s gone that you realize you hadn’t even noticed what she looked like. Was she tall? Fair? None of that seemed to matter.

As you sit there, her words swirl in your mind, blending with the very clouds you’d been pondering. You murmur to yourself, almost as if hoping the breeze will carry your words back to her.
“Maybe I feel stuck because I’ve been comparing myself to others, forgetting that I have my own pace. Maybe I am a late bloomer, and my time will come. Just soon. Thank you, stranger.”

She’s gone, and you know you’ll never see her again, but the moment lingers,her words, her kindness, her wisdom. She gave you a free therapy session and stirred something deep within you.

And sometimes, these moments aren't confined to places of calm and stillness. Sometimes they emerge in unfamiliar places with even fewer expectations.

Story 2: A Walk in the Night

It’s a quiet evening in a strange country, and you’re out for a walk, trying to calm the storm in your mind. The streets are serene, the cool night air brushing against your skin. For a moment, the world feels still,until you realize you’re lost.

A voice startles you.
“You look lost, milady.”

You turn to see a young man walking beside you.
“I actually am lost,” you admit. “I’m trying to find my way back to my hotel.”

His lips curl into a small smile.
“It’s just around the corner. Let me show you the way.”

Relieved, you nod. “Thank you. I’d really appreciate that.”

For a few moments, silence stretches between you as you walk, footsteps echoing softly in the quiet. Then, he breaks it.
“So, what are you doing out here alone at 8 p.m., losing your way?”

You hesitate before replying. “I just needed to clear my head. I lost track of time,and the way.”

“And what’s been bothering you? Care to share?” he asks, his tone gentle.

You smile faintly. “Nothing serious, really. I’ve just got so much going on. I needed to get away and think.”

He nods thoughtfully. “You don’t look like you’re from around here. Where are you from?”

“Nigeria,” you say with a hint of pride. “How about you?”

“Tanzania,” he replies with an accent that makes you smile. “I’ve heard a lot about Nigeria. Tell me more.”

What started as a short walk turns into a 40-minute journey, both of you trading stories about your countries. You tell him about Nigeria’s vibrant culture, the beauty of its tribes, and the warmth of its people. He listens intently, nodding in time with your excitement.

Before you know it, you’re standing outside your hotel.
“Here we are,” he says. “It was really nice talking to you. I hope you’ve managed to clear your mind.”

You smile warmly. “Yes, I have. Thank you so much for tonight. I’ll see you around.”

You turn toward the door but pause, glancing back to wave. He waves in return, his figure fading into the night as you watch him go.

Back in your room, you feel lighter. The bath is refreshing, and sleep comes easily. A conversation with a stranger, it seems, has cleared not only your mind but also your heart.

And sometimes, it’s someone video-bombing you.

Story 3: A Stranger in the Video

You’re out in the open, setting up your phone for a quick fit check video. The weather is perfect, and the spot you’ve chosen has just the right mix of sunlight and shade. You angle your camera, step back, and prepare to hit record when a voice interrupts you.

“Can I join?”

You look up, surprised, and find a guy standing a few feet away. His features and accent make you guess he’s Igbo. You hesitate for a second before replying with a smile:
“Yes, you can!”

He walks over, looking curious.
“What do I do?”

You laugh softly, realizing how much direction he’ll need.
“Okay, imagine this: You walk in from over there, pause, strike a pose, and then walk off like you’re the main character.”

He nods, but it’s clear he doesn’t entirely get it. You demonstrate, adding exaggerated poses to make it funnier. He tries once,stiff and uncertain. Then a second time, still getting it wrong but improving.

By the third try, you’re both laughing, and by the fourth, he nails it. You cheer him on, clapping.
“That’s it! You’ve got it!”

The video turns out perfect,better than you imagined. As you review it, he leans over your shoulder.
“I’m Angel. How about you?”

You blink, a little surprised.
“A guy named Angel? That’s new,” you say with a grin.

He laughs, tilting his head.
“Oh, you’ve never heard of a guy named Angel?”

You shake your head, joking:
“Never in my sixty years of life.”

He chuckles, catching on to your humor.
“Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

The conversation flows naturally from there. You talk about names,their meanings, why people choose them, and how they reflect culture or hope for the child. You laugh over some of the most peculiar ones you’ve both heard and swap stories about naming traditions in your respective backgrounds.

What starts as a playful conversation becomes something deeper yet lighthearted. For 30 minutes, you exchange thoughts, share insights, and laugh like old friends, even though you’ve only just met.

As he starts to leave, he pauses, looking back at you.
“I never got your name, though.”

You smirk.
“That’s because you didn’t ask, sir.”

He raises an eyebrow, smiling.
“Well, what’s your name?”

“Ikram,” you respond with a smile, nodding slightly.

He grins, tilting his head thoughtfully.
“That’s a first too. A girl named Ikram. All the Ikrams I’ve met are boys.”

You laugh softly.
“Well, I guess we’re even now.”

He nods in agreement.
“Yeah, we are. See you later, Ikram.”

“Same, Angel. See you around.”

You watch as he walks away, a faint smile lingering on your lips. Some encounters don’t need to last long to be meaningful, and this was one of them.

Now, hear me out

I’ve never quite gotten why we end the conversations with “See you later” or “See you around” when we’ll never see each other again. It makes little sense and yet so much sense.

There’s something in those words, something comforting. A sort of unspoken hope that perhaps, in some way, paths will cross again. Even if it’s unlikely, those words give the conversation a sense of closure, of shared understanding, even if fleeting. They’re an acknowledgment that this moment, no matter how brief, mattered.

The beauty of these moments lies in their simplicity: sharing thoughts, exchanging stories with a stranger, or laughing over shared observations. You might never know what kind of impact a passing conversation might have on someone else’s day or perspective. Sometimes, it’s just a light reminder that human connection is, in itself, therapeutic.

Every conversation,whether it’s a stranger on a park bench, a short walk through an unfamiliar street, or a quick video collaboration,leaves its mark. They remind you that being heard, understood, or just shared laughter with a stranger has its own kind of magic.

So maybe that’s why those parting words matter. “See you later.” Maybe it’s not about whether you actually will. Maybe it’s about acknowledging the bond formed, if only briefly.

And who knows? Perhaps one day, you’ll find yourself waving to a stranger across a café or on a walk somewhere far from where it all began, and you’ll smile, remembering the fleeting yet powerful moment you shared.

So, the next time you find yourself lost in thought or in need of clarity, don’t underestimate the power of a conversation with a stranger. You might just walk away with the therapy session you didn’t know you needed.