Blog - November 24, 2021

Day 24: The November Happiness Challenge 2021

A friend reshared a post this morning, and it was about learning to spend on oneself

So you work 9 to 5, or you run a business, or you get money in one way or the other, but you rarely ever think that you should get something for yourself as a reward for all the hard work. I understand that it can be really tough to have any money left for splurging when you haven’t even sorted all bills, and some people also have to deal with black tax from time to time which prevents any form of they getting things for themselves.

Someone also recently opined that one should put the larger part of one’s earnings into savings and it made me laugh. I wasn’t laughing because the advice is wrong, I was only laughing because a lot of times, we think more of the future that we aren’t aware of what it would bring, and we neglect the present. I’m all for saving for the rainy days, and not using all ten fingers to eat as the Yorubas say. However, I’m not sure how I feel about putting the larger part of one’s earnings into savings.

Because I understand that contexts differ, and she probably had her reason for saying that, I was able to understand her to an extent. For instance, if you already have your basic needs sorted every time and you don’t have to support anyone with money, yes, you can actually put a lot of money into savings so that you are able to reach your targeted achievements as fast as possible.

But, please enjoy.

When I say enjoy, I don’t mean that you should go to Coldstone everyday of the week and buy icecream because you want to enjoy and this life is one. I don’t expect you to neglect your electricity bills and use the money to buy Sharwama and Pizza. I also am not saying that you should not remember to pay house rent ( like that lady in Smart Money woman) while you are globetrotting. No please, set your priorities right.

By saying you should enjoy, I mean you should make it a habit to set some money aside periodically, to buy something nice for yourself. It could be food from a vendor you’ve been eyeing her menu, or an outfit you feel would suit you, or an accessory that you like. Buy it, you deserve it. And guess what? If you don’t spend that 5k or 10k on the enjoyable item, you’d still spend it and it might not be something on you want.

Today, we are going to ‘splurge’ on ourselves. It can be as little as you buying Boli and Groundut on your way home, or buying N1000 worth of Suya, or as high as ordering a designer bag. Whatever it is, just let the goal be you enjoying yourself and spending your money on yourself. Again, you deserve it.

Call me Omotolani, Aka enjoyment minister

I’ll be back