Cutting Corners Not Ties...

Transformation doesn't come easy and to some people, it can be very challenging despite knowing that part of their lives that needs urgent transformation. "It's like having a leaking roof, you see water dripping through it whenever it rains but you just can't fix it." It's not like they are stuck or have no idea of what needs to be done, they know how to fix things but the solution is not something that would bring them complete happiness either so creating a balance (which most times looks impossible) through the transformation process is important.

Even before embracing minimalism, I have always known that this part of me needed a dire transformation. I thought about it a lot then and sometimes, it makes me sick. I felt like my life was stagnant because of that particular thing whereas that wasn't the case but that's what I saw for always comparing my growth with others.

Minimalism helped me eradicate that habit of comparing myself with people and I had reasons to move at my pace but it didn't take away the fact that a very important part of my life still needs to be worked on.

My financial life gives me concern a lot of time and it's not like I don't have a solution for myself. I definitely do but taking the easy route to solving this issue doesn't sit well with me. I remember some years ago while having a deep conversation with a friend and he said something that left me troubled for days.

"George, you can't keep pretending that you are fine when you are not. Pulling family along with you always isn't working for you. I was in your shoe but had to look away and here I am,"

"But, now that you are doing okay. You still haven't turned back to attend to your family needs," I replied and he claimed that it wasn't just time yet.

Despite knowing he had somehow neglected his family, I was forced to think about everything he said and had to speak to my mentor about it before I make a decision that would eventually break me. I was advised to just keep being who I am and honestly, ignoring my family is something I definitely can't do, it's ride or die with them.

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I know looking away from their needs would definitely make my account fat which would make me happy but how about seeing my family struggling when I can help, nothing would break my heart than that. Since looking away is impossible, I had to come up with something to create a balance between keeping my finance stable while doing the needful for family.

Naturally, I am not the type who spends recklessly whether it has to do with me or family. I knew just trimming down my expenses more would do the magic but how?

I swung into action by cutting accomodation cost and that wasn't easy. I brought everyone under the same roof in a bigger apartment but that was cost saving because what we paid living apart was on the high side compared to being under a roof. I wanted my privacy but at that time, I just had to cope.

My siblings attended different schools and I suggested bringing them together in a school which would save me the cost of daily transportation to different destinations plus I can demand a discount for two students if they attended one place. The idea worked and I was able to save a lot in that aspect.

I began focusing on needs rather than attending to the family want. I thought carrying everyone along with my monthly budget would make sense and it did. Everyone knew what's on ground and we did the planning together so no one brings unnecessary expenses to the table later. Life took a different turn and I felt a lot better with my financial life but with the hike in price of things across the globe, it looks like I am getting bothered again.

I have thought about different things I could do but didn't see where to cut the cost so my transformation going forward has to be about creating more avenue to earn and futher embracing sustainable living.

_{Building a bigger space for birds, going commercial with them.}

My decision opened my mind to the fact that minimalism sometimes isn't just about "less" and in some cases, we just need to do things differently since there is nothing more to cut down on. I can tell that there are many people in this situation as well, I would love to know what your approach is to keep your finances stable amidst what you've taken as a responsibility.

It brings me joy knowing that I am trying my best to keep the family going and there's no regret whatsoever. Like I always said, God placed you where you are for a reason. He knew you can handle things pretty well so just keep being yourself.

_{All Images Are Mine.}