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Without a past, there may not be a present. Though we have moved past those things that occurred in our yesterday, we sometimes go down memory lane and recount those things that were part of us but not anymore. For me especially, many things have changed since have embraced my unique minimalist lifestyle. Gone were those days when I wanted that extravagant lifestyle by all means. Then, if a wig was not 100% human hair, I might not wear it because I considered any other ones less quality. I also had friends that shared this same notion and would not rest until they entered the most expensive boutique in town. They also believed you can only get quality dresses, shoes, from a well furnished blue-light shop. To us nothing quality can come from road side stalls. It was an excessive lifestyle anyways, because most times we spend an amount that could easily by five things on just an item from a fine shop.
Our concerns however were not only on what we wear, we also valued our meals and this happened to be the greatest and what I miss the most. We knew the latest restaurant in town and their various dishes. We would dare not go to 'Mama Put', local canteens that sell indigenous food like 'eba', that's a swallow made from cassava flour, 'Amala', a swallow made from yam flour. All we wanted were continental dishes, even when we had never stepped out our feet on any European country.
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We would spend so much on the food that would only whet our appetite as Africans and send us back to a bowl of 'eba' we neglected at home. Well, it didn't matter, all that mattered then was going into those fanciful eateries and have a taste of their varieties. Hmm, all this bill was on who exactly? Most times, the bills weren't on us. It was some kind of free treat from our dates. So, we enjoyed it to the fullest.
Things took a different turn when I met my husband. He's a very calm and reserved African man. Oh! I would say he's a minalist to the core. My husband doesn't believe in spending recklessly, though he provides more than enough for the family. When we met, we fell head over heels for each other. Good, right? Alas! Weeks into our relationship, I realised he was not an extravaganza. Instead of a meeting at an eclectic restaurant for mouthwatering lauch, he would prefer an outdoor meeting option. He mostly prefer a calm atmosphere, mostly under trees in the neighborhood. Hmm, while I enjoyed visiting different restaurant for meals, he enjoyed homemade food. Oh, I was in for it.
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He didn't however forced his lifestyle on me. He was ready to shift ground when need be. But I saw a need for compromise from my end and not his, the day I went to an expensive boutique to shop for a nice gown. Haa! It was so expensive that I had to request more money from my husband to buy it, thinking it was quality because it was coming from the most expensive boutique in town. I received so much compliments the day I wore this navy blue dress to the office, only to see the colour washed away during laundry. Initially, I thought it was a joke until I dry it and saw the back of the dress turn pink from blue. Furiously, I screamed, 'what a waste!' The huge amount of money used to get that dress was gone.
My husband looked at me, smiled and never said a word. Then, I realised all that glitters is not gold. I could even get something better at a less expensive place. From that moment, I decided to make some changes. I ruminated over my lifestyle, I realised I had been wasting so much money. Fortunately, we were meant to go out for launch that day. Immediately, I changed all plans. I went to market, bought all that was needed for fried rice and also some fruit for juice. I arrived in no time and prepared the food, the meal was sumptuous, rich and tasted better than the ones outside, all with less cost. I was so amazed. A lot of things changed and I also stopped murmuring whenever my husband asked for a walk to enjoy nature. In fact, we became happier as we enjoy our minimalist lifestyle.
Yes, I would say I sometimes miss those expensive hair, designer bags and dresses even though some of them can fade within a month. I mostly miss the tasteful decor and culinary adventure outside. I miss jumping from one restaurant to another. I miss taking pictures in those beautiful eatries but the compromise is all worth it. Minimalist approach and having most of our meals made in our home has strengthened our bond as couple as special and romantic cuisine can be brought up anytime. At home, I make varieties; both continental and African. We also have little or no risk of food related problems that stem too much seasonings or consumption of unhygienic foods that mostly happen outside. Above all, making compromise and embracing minimalism as a lifestyle has saved us a lot of money and help us to avoid waste.
Pictures are mine.