Previous LAGOS LIVING: 7 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO TAKE TIME OUT FOR YOU IN THIS BUSY CITY

“…CMS CMS, OBALENDE!!!!!!” Welcome to Lagos, the city that never sleeps. Whether you're a student or a worker, whoever you are, you have to be ready for Lagos, and yes I mean, drawing-up-your-trousers-kinda-ready. There is a reason people say; “I no come to Lagos to count bridge.” Aside from the priceless hustle and bustle that Lagos gives you, author Chidera Folashade Mbah is going to be walking you through 10 affordable ways to take some time out and breathe easier in this city that never sleeps. LIVING IN LAGOS FOUR.png 1. Bake a loaf of homemade bread: There's nothing like baking and eating our own bread. It’s a priceless feeling and the process is therapeutic some say. You probably have everything you need to make a loaf of bread in your kitchen right now (except for maybe the yeast – in which case you can make a quick beer bread with just four ingredients). Anyone can do it, and the fresh-baked bread comes out delicious. 2. Call a family member or a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Not only is this a chance to catch up with another person who’s important to you and firm up your relationship, it can also be a very entertaining and enjoyable way to spend an hour or two. “The life of a lagosian can be filled with cold nights but having family and friends around you always makes it warmer” 3. Start a journal. A journal can be a powerful way to recall the events that happened in your life that made you who you are. Getting in the habit of writing down the events of your day each night is a great way to remember the specifics. Entries on what you’re thinking about now can be the basis of powerful memories and reflections in the future. Plus, it can offer a release from the tensions of the day. LIVING IN LAGOS ONE.jpg 4. Music: Music is as vital as breathing, whatever genre gingers your spirit to life should be what your ears are given daily. Create a playlist that lifts your spirits and releases some of that Lagos stress. Sometimes a simple hack is to create a playlist based on different countries so that you can feel like you're holidaying somewhere, that way you don't take your yourself or annoying people too seriously. 5. Head to the Beach: The sand, the water, and the waves will never lie to you. Your skin gets a certain kind of rejuvenation, and glow when you are out in the open soaking up Sea salt and Vitamin D. Go to the beach, take a book and that playlist from above, grab some coconut juice and just relax. Play with the sand, be a kid again take long deep breathe of tat sea air. LIVING IN LAGOS TWO.jpg Female friendships can help us deal with stress “Women and men biologically have differing responses to stress. Women who are stressed respond with a reaction called 'tend and befriend', which means they tend to nurture those around them and reach out to others, often other women,” 6. Stay Home: If you are anything like me, you know that Rona has made us cherish our homes. To escape the busy city, your home should be made into your very own vacation destination. Decluttering, well lit rooms and proper ventilation should not be missing in your home. Check our post here on how to switch up our space. 7. Exercise: Sis, you've got to stretch those muscles! Thanks to the internet, we are achieving summer body goals at home now with inexpensive equipment. Tone those arms and legs, grow that booty, get those eleven lined abs, and if you want to take a break from the intense workout routine, yoga will always be your friend. LIVING IN LAGOS THREE.jpg 8. Have a cook off with the gang: No (wom)an is an island, one of the best ways to have a good time in the city of Lagos, is to Invite friends over to your home. Ask everyone to choose a dish before coming and bring ingredients for that particular dish. Prepare the meal together and eat together. Moments like this allow for more memories, laughter, uplifting of the spirit, and quality time. It reminds you what is good in life and of course is cheaper than eating out (you get many meals for the price of one!). 9. Knowledge: There's a saying I love by Charlie' Tremendous' Jones: "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." Thanks to YouTube and many online courses, learning has been made much more accessible and comfortable. Acquire a skill online, learn a language (you can check out Duolingo), take an online course, and of course challenge yourself to read a new book ever month. LIVING IN LAGOS FOUR.jpg “…No knowledge is wasted…” 10. Pamper yourself: Use what you have around you to create your own retreat at home. You can even call someone to come to your home to give you a massage or manicure for super cheap these days thanks to the saturation of the market. Other ideas: Take a bubble bath, give yourself a manicure and pedicure (don't forget to hot soak ur feet), buy yourself flowers, give yourself a facial (a number of recipes online), cozy up to a book and tea, sleep in, and light some candles. wangwei.jpg About the author:Chidera Folashade Mbah is a graduate of Economics. She is a podcaster (the2016podcast; a podcast that addresses societal issues) and a writer. She has written for magazines and occasionally posts short pieces on IG and her writings are inspired by life’s lessons. Chidera loves reading, networking, dancing, cooking and working out. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @_wangwei_