Introduction

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about life, it is this: sometimes, you don’t fully understand a path until you’ve walked a good distance on it.

There was a season where I poured everything I had into building a future in tech. I mean everything—late nights, early mornings, constant learning, and sacrificing a lot of comfort just to get better. I treated it like my life depended on it.

But life has a way of redirecting you.

And sometimes, that redirection comes in a way you don’t expect at all.

The Tech Season That Meant Everything

At one point, I was fully immersed in web design.

Even while working in the Federal Civil Service, I treated tech as my side hustle, but in reality, it was much more than that to me. It was my focus. My escape. My future.

I gave it my time, my energy, and my discipline.

But as time went on, something began to shift.

My responsibilities increased, my salary wasn’t stretching enough, and the financial returns from tech—at that point—were not matching the level of effort I was putting in.

It wasn’t easy to admit… but something had to change.

A New Environment, A New Perspective

When I moved to Shomolu in Lagos, I began to notice something interesting.

A lot of young people around me were doing DJ—and not just doing it… they were enjoying it. More importantly, it was paying them.

That caught my attention.

Not because I wanted to abandon what I was doing, but because I was curious.

And then I asked myself a simple question:

“If I can put this much energy into tech… what happens if I channel it into something else I already enjoy?”

Because truthfully, I’ve always loved music.

From Curiosity to Action

That curiosity led me to DJ Efrebor—someone I noticed was consistently pulling crowds with his style.

I reached out, paid for training, and began the journey.

But as time went on, I felt I wasn’t getting as much as I expected from the training.

So I made a decision.

I stepped away.

Instead of waiting, I invested in myself—bought a turntable and other necessary equipment, and started practicing on my own at home.

That’s where the real journey began.

The Beginning Was Not Glamorous

When I finally started telling people that I was a DJ, I was excited.

But reality had other plans.

My first few gigs were… let’s just say, not my best moments.

There were performances I’m not proud of.

There were times I didn’t get paid.

And yes—there were moments I felt embarrassed leaving some events.

But here’s the truth:

Those moments didn’t define me.

They refined me.

Learning, Growing, and Getting Better

Instead of quitting, I leaned in.

I kept learning.

I connected with people who were better than me, people who were open to sharing knowledge.

People like DJ Bluetooth and DJ Skoolboy helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect.

And slowly… things started to change.

My mixes improved.

My confidence grew.

My sound became clearer.

And before long, I was no longer just “trying to be a DJ.”

I had become one.

From Learning to Being in Demand

At some point, everything just clicked.

I started getting booked for events—classic ones at that.

Award nights, weddings, birthdays, lounges, and club gigs in places like Ikeja, Lekki, Surulere, Egbeda… and even beyond Lagos.

People began to recognize my style.

That was when I added a name that matched the energy I brought to the table:

“The Party Monster.”

DJ O’larj.

Because when I step in, the energy goes up.

And interestingly, I wasn’t just DJing—I was also hyping, engaging the crowd, and sometimes… people didn’t want the party to end.

On many occasions, I got paid for extra hours just because the crowd wasn’t ready to leave 😄

The Turning Point

As fulfilling as that season was, something deeper began to settle in.

I started to realize that while I was good at it… it wasn’t truly my calling.

I wasn’t being forced to continue.

But I also knew where my heart was leaning.

And that was back to tech.

It wasn’t an easy decision.

In fact, it was one of the hardest things I had to do.

Because letting go of something you’re good at—and that people appreciate—takes real clarity.

But I made up my mind.

And I sold my DJ equipment.

Choosing What Aligns With You

Do I miss being a DJ sometimes?

Yes.

I won’t lie.

I enjoyed the energy, the crowd, the connection, and the ability to be “the life of the party.”

But today, I feel more aligned with where I am.

Tech feels like home.

And more importantly, I now understand that not everything you succeed in is meant to be your final destination.

Sometimes, it’s just a chapter.

Conclusion

Life will take you through different paths.

Some you’ll enjoy deeply. Some will challenge you. And some will simply serve as a bridge to your next level.

What matters is knowing when to continue… and when to redirect.

Every experience has value.

And no experience is wasted if you learn from it.

So here’s my question to you:

Have you ever had to walk away from something you were good at… just to pursue something that truly aligns with who you are?

Let’s talk in the comments.

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