The word "fake it till you make it" is very common in Nigeria, especially in Lagos. Living a fake life is a very detrimental act to the personality, values, and authenticity of a person. It also has a negative impact on finances. Lagos is a city that is known for its vibrant and fast-paced lifestyle, in fact, we say that it is a city that never sleeps. There are many young people aspiring to live a life of luxury and comfort even when they cannot live such a life now. However, while they try to be comfortable, they still make a lot of mistakes, and one of such mistakes so living a fake life. It is important to note that there is a thin line between living a comfortable life and living a fake life.
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One of the major reasons why living a fake life can negatively affect your finances in Lagos is that it can lead to unsustainable spending habits. However, compared to so many other states in the country, feeding is quite cheap. I always thought living in Lagos when it comes to feeding expensive until I went to live in another state, then I understood that asides from Housing which is expensive,, and the recreational/luxury life that is expensive, feeding is quite cheap. Many young people in Lagos are obsessed with keeping up appearances and showing off their wealth, regardless of whether they can actually afford it or not. This often leads to a cycle of borrowing money or living beyond their means, and this is often done to keep social media appearance, which can ultimately lead to financial instability.
It is very important to know that living a fake life can also make it difficult to build genuine relationships and connections that can lead to career opportunities and financial stability as everyone will be willing to collect and not add value. When you are constantly pretending to be someone you are not, it can be difficult to form meaningful relationships with people who can genuinely support and guide one's financial goals and dreams. With social media, it has been easier to live the life that one isn't and showcase a lifestyle that is fake, and with this, a lot of people have found it a part of their life to imbibe the culture of instant gratification and quick financial success without putting a necessary work. When you ask a lot of people in Lagos who are youths or teenagers about their source of wealth, they cannot explain. Many Gen-Zers are not willing to work hard and are instead lured by the idea of fast money and fame, and so many just engage in fraudulent activities such as online scams and cybercrime to keep up with the lifestyle they aren't up to.
It is important to always remember that a fake lifestyle is not sustainable and will always have negative consequences on finances, careers, and genuine relationships. The saying, "fake it till you make it" is not the best approach when it comes to finances or growing wealth.