Hello everyone, this is my first time here, and I would like to share my minimalist journey with you all. It all started during my undergraduate days at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. Being a fresher and a lady, my mom ensured that she placed me on a monthly allowance so as to make studying easier and school life more comfortable for me. Being placed on a monthly allowance of twenty thousand naira (20,000.00) made me quite extravagant that was when $1.00 was equivalent to N165.15 naira as of 2014; that was also the period I indulged in the regular ritual of frequent hair makeovers, ensuring that I always had a fresh look every two to three weeks.
IMAGE DESIGN ON CANVA
However, as time went by, the pages turned, and my mom had to reduce my monthly allowance. Her farm, which was about two hectares, was invaded by herdsmen; the farm produce was carted away, and the remaining was destroyed. This new development of financial constraints became the reason for a shift in my spending habits. I was forced to reassess my priorities. I began to minimise my expenses on hair styling, opting for a more frugal approach and prioritising my choices on how I spend.
The second chapter of my minimalist journey was about the impact of media consumption on my lifestyle. I could spend long hours scrolling through the captivating pictures and videos on Instagram. The financial responsibility that life presented prompted me to reconsider my online activities. I had to curtail my time on Instagram and stop the endless scrolling, thereby reducing the amount of money I spend on buying data. I started making conscious efforts to allocate time and resources more intentionally to things that are really important.
Some parents in Nigeria would tell you straight up that they are withdrawing their monthly allowances when one is done with school, for me, it was both as a result of financial demands on my mom and a stage of life I had gotten to, to fend for myself. I gradually transitioned from the dependent life to that of independence and not only that, with added responsibilities like supporting my younger sister.
Transitioning from the academic realm into the real world, the third chapter of my journey unfolded after the completion of my one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. Getting a job as a fresh graduate was quite challenging, leaving me unemployed and jobless. However, I needed to do something that would earn me a little token for my toiletries. Since starting a business would require me to have startup capital, I had to turn to manual labour, assisting neighbours in clearing farms for a modest token since I was at home and jobless. This experience not only provided a temporary solution to financial constraints but also taught me how to be resourceful.
However, as time went by, the influence of my loved ones became one of the main reasons for my minimalist choices. There was a good shift in my spending habits. This was because I saw the need to support and help those closest to me: my family and friends. I made a shift from personal indulgences to inculcating the habit of saving, which has enabled me to extend financial assistance to my siblings and loved ones in times of need.
This shift from being extravagant to always wanting to save reflects the impact that relationships can have on shaping one's lifestyle choices.
In conclusion, my minimalist journey started as a result of a reduced allowance, a deliberate reduction in digital consumption, and a commitment to support others. Embracing minimalism has been one of the best decisions I've made so far.
All images uploaded are mine. Thank you for stopping by 🤗.