The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

First days have always been a bit of a rollercoaster for me. Whether it was moving up to the next year in school with the same classmates or starting a new chapter entirely, the nerves never failed to show up. It didn’t matter how familiar things were—every first day came with its own dose of anxiety.

In school, I was naturally quite nervous, even when I knew the people around me. The thought of stepping into a new year, facing new challenges, and potentially being called on in class to answer a question I wasn’t prepared for always got to me. Strangely, by the time I hit Year 10 and 11, I started to feel more at ease. Maybe it was just that I had grown into myself a little more. But then came college, and the nerves came flooding back. The first year was a mix of unfamiliar faces and the unknown, but once I found my rhythm in the second year, I was back to adapting again.

My first proper job was no different. I started working at 17, but the truth is, I’d been earning bits and bobs since I was 14. Back then, I took on odd jobs in restaurants and takeaways to help my parents with some extra cash. Those jobs were… an experience, let’s put it that way. At 14, being left to deal with customers and tills was terrifying. Maths under pressure wasn’t my strong suit, and to top it off, the chef’s temper could flare up at the slightest mistake. Yet, after work, they’d all soften up, showering me with praise and kindness. It was almost like they saw the kid in me after the shift was done.

Looking back, those experiences taught me resilience. I learned to handle challenges on the spot and developed a sense of calmness that has helped me as I’ve grown older. But being a parent? That’s an entirely different story.

If I thought my own first days were nerve-wracking, my children’s first days are on a whole new level. I’m often more nervous than they are—planning every detail, ensuring their uniforms are perfect, their bags are packed, their journeys mapped out. I’ll be up the night before, triple-checking everything. I try to hide my nerves, but I’m pretty sure they notice. It’s hard to let go when you’ve been through the fire yourself. I want to shield them from every possible mistake or discomfort, even if I know deep down they need to experience some of it to grow.

These days, I’m much better at handling my own first days—whether it’s starting a new job or walking into a room full of strangers. I’ve become sociable and friendly, even on days when I’m not quite feeling it. On those days, I put on a bit of an act—playing the confident, approachable version of me rather than the tired or overwhelmed one. It’s just another defence mechanism I’ve picked up along the way.

First days are never easy, but they’ve played a big role in shaping who I am today. From the nervous child sitting in a classroom to the over-preparing parent fussing over their children’s firsts, each experience has taught me to adapt and face challenges head-on. And perhaps that’s the real lesson: it’s not about getting everything perfect, but about finding your balance, one step at a time. It’s also about allowing yourself grace—being kind to yourself when things feel overwhelming. After all, we’re human, driven by emotions, not machines programmed to handle everything flawlessly.