A Shift in Perspective: From Wants to True Needs.

"Mummy, how much do you need right now?"

This was my big sister giving a blank cheque to my dad's younger sister whom we have come to be close to after the demise of our mother. She had done her best to take care of us till this moment and all we could do to repay her was to make sure her needs were met, at least not one that would be above our abilities.

We were having a discussion two days ago on the plans for Christmas, foodstuffs to get so everyone who comes would eat and be merry. Then, she started lamenting how she had been managing for a while, hence the question from my sister.

But she was skeptical at first and didn't want to talk. We persuaded her to call a figure, one she would manage till December when there would be lots of foodstuffs to take for herself after the whole festival thing.

At that time, I began to think of the last time I was asked the question, "What do you need? or How much do you need?" Except for my younger sister who would jokingly ask me such a question and I would smile, knowing how I might reply with something she wouldn't be able to afford, though it's a joke.

I remember how when we were younger, we never thought of what we would need as everything was always provided for us by our parents, so, we did not need to get worried. You can ask someone now what they actually need and you shouldn't be surprised if they mention an exorbitant amount of money like a billion naira just to live their lives and be okay.

It's no news anymore how the world is going and how things are happening every day, like the price of items skyrocketing and never coming down, nations fighting each other, kidnappings here and there, everyone hustling to survive and give themselves a good life.

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If I were asked such a question now, sincerely, with the way I have come to have knowledge of the little things that matter or how knowing that the things we run after are just like chasing after the wind.

Chasing the wind is endless. There's no finish line. There's no satisfaction or contentment and you can't enjoy your own accomplishments. Dissatisfaction guaranteed. What's now the fuss about life when you can choose peace?

My reply has gone far beyond asking for a certain amount of money to take care of myself or live that expensive lifestyle I see others living, all I need is peace of mind.

Even if it demands owning the little things of life, working to meet the simple basic necessities such as having a roof over your head, sleeping and waking up to see a bright new day, enjoying the small recipes in the kitchen and maintaining that happiness, all of these, I am okay with.

I don't need an extravagant lifestyle, just peace of mind, knowing my family is doing fine and I am living in the present. It's enough for me.

I spoke with my Dad yesterday and he sounded not so fine, he has been complaining of backache for years now, and even after taking medications, the situation is getting more painful for him and all I could do was say, "Sorry, sir" while ensuring he keeps getting his drugs to use. At least I am grateful he is alive and that's enough for me.

Living a minimalist lifestyle is living with simplicity because less is more as the result is peace — with yourself and the people around you, especially the people who are most important to you.

This life has gone beyond worrying over unnecessary things because in the end, why are we worried? Some things take time to accomplish while others happen in an instant, all that matters should be to live in peace, stay happy and not get too overwhelmed by what is happening in the world because at the end of it all, we are like dust and everyone will varnish waiting for the big judgement day.

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