By It was the third week of the month, and Abíké sat on her bed like a philosopher at a crossroads, staring at her bank app like it owed her an explanation.
₦3,207.56, That’s what was left of her salary. Three thousand, two hundred and seven naira… and fifty-six kobo. The kobo was just mocking her.
“How did we get here?” she asked herself like a Nollywood mother confronting a wayward child.
Let’s rewind.
At the beginning of the month, she had been feeling very intentional. She created a budget, wrote down financial affirmations, and even downloaded one of those cute expense tracker apps. The plan was to be a responsible adult. She even gave the month a theme: “July: The Rise of Wealthy Abíké.”
Fast forward to today, Abíké has become the poster girl for budgetary betrayal.
After rent, NEPA (that doesn’t bring light), data subscription (because what’s mental wellness without Netflix and YouTube therapy?), three weddings, one owambe, and her “soft life” smoothie addiction from that health café in Lekki, her salary waved at her like a Lagos bus conductor shouting, “Next! No change o!”
But this isn’t just a story of financial trauma. It’s also about the mind. Because even with ₦3,207.56, Abíké was determined to keep her mind healthy.
Broke? Yes. Broken? Never.
She made a list:
- Eat better: She swapped out shawarma for home-cooked beans and plantain, protein and fiber, thank you very much.
- Walk more: Since fuel was ₦900 per litre and her bolt driver was quoting flight prices, she started walking from Yaba to her office in Sabo. Free therapy and cardio in one go.
- Unfollow comparison triggers: She muted all the “soft life” influencers with captions like “Just got back” when she hadn’t even “just gone out.”
- Talk to people: She finally opened up to her friend Lola about her stress, and guess what? Lola was also eating rice and water with confidence.
One night, while sipping zobo and journaling, Abíké wrote:
“It’s wild how my salary ends before the month starts, but somehow, I’m still standing. My mind is learning to find peace in small joys like cold garri on a hot day, good sleep, and gist with people that don’t stress me. Mental health is not for when I blow; it’s for now.”
She shared that on her WhatsApp status and someone replied,
“Sis, are you talking about me?”
And that’s how she knew she wasn’t alone.
Moral of the Story?
In Lagos, money may finish but a healthy mind is premium currency.
Hold your joy like you hold your last suya piece tightly. Laugh often, cry when needed then drink water. And above all never let ₦3,207.56 define your worth.
Be like Abike, Broke but not Broken!