You are probably thinking that this post is going to be strictly fitness related. That couldn’t be further from the truth, I do love thriving in all areas of health and having a well-functioned body. Health and fitness is a great investment that will serve you later in life as we get older, our bones start to weaken and everything else that comes with old age. I digress.
This post is about investing in adult things, I wish I had invested in earlier in my 20s. I’m now 28 years old, and there are certain things and comforts that I didn’t realise that I needed until now. One of those things is my environment and my space. I still have things in my flat that I’ve had since I was 16 years old! Talk about attachment! It’s one of my first pair of heels and I’m convinced that I can still wear it even though one of the heels is much shorter than the other.
It’s definitely time for me to upgrade my space and the things within it to discover more of who I am in the present, but I’m taking it slowly. A lot of the things I’m going to mention in this post require time and money but I really wish that I had started investing in them earlier. If there are some things in this post that you know you should invest in, start making your list. Your future self will thank me and present you later.
Beddings & Sleepwear
My Mum taught me two important things: the importance of having quality items that will last and great sleepwear. Seriously, my Mum has a thing for shopping for amazing bedding sets that also match. I cannot tell you how many times she would stop us from laying the bed if the sheets did not match! It was very exhausting but I never understood her obsession with bedding sets.
The thought of even spending money on beddings and my bedroom didn’t make sense. All I’m going to do is sleep in there!
That all changed when I went to Belgium in 2015. The bed that I slept in was sensational. It had thick, soft sheets, the mattress was soft and it had so many pillows that my head and neck sunken into it. I really enjoyed sleeping in that bed for four nights. Then I experienced it again when I stayed at the Lagos Continental Hotel. As soon as I came back, I wanted to feel that same way every night for the rest of my life. I hopped online and searched for bedding sets and spent close to 500 CHF on beddings.
I wanted to make sure that I was supporting a small and local business. Deciding whether to buy a Down Bedding Set from Marso Living with additional pillows. I’m still deciding which sheets I want to get but I don’t think that I have been so excited to sleep in my bedroom. Invest in your sheets and your sleepwear. We spend half of our lives sleeping so we might as well do it well and in luxury.
Improve Your Skills
I know how hard it is invest in other skills after finishing college and settling down into a full-time job. You’re tired. All you want to do is rest.
Personal development is something that is really close to my heart. I continuously invest in it whether that is reading books, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries or taking courses to build a side hustle. If these past two years have taught me anything, it taught me to be relentless in my pursuit for what I desire.
Old and New Skills
Develop skills that will not only make you self-sufficient but also skills that will improve your livelihood. Be open from learning from history and other people. No one else is going to invest in your skills as much as you are.
Ten years ago, I was sure that I was going to be an interpreter for a UN organisation. I spent my secondary school years and my college years learning languages such as French, Latin, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Italian. Although I don’t work as an interpreter, but in scientific publishing, I don’t regret the years I spent on those skills as they still help me today.
Three years ago, I had no idea what I wanted to do in my life but I loved health and fitness and decided that I was going to get into powerlifting. Through my pursuit of powerlifting, I decided that I want to help people with their health and fitness journeys. A year ago, I decided that I needed to invest in the skills to do that. All the skills that I gained over the years brought me to this point. Don’t think that your past skills are no longer needed or relevant because they are. You just don’t know in what capacity until you realise it.
Pay Off Your Debts & Invest In Pension Fund
The older I get, the more I realise the importance of getting your money right. I know that in some countries, like US, having credit in a good thing to some degree.
Living in Switzerland has opened my eyes to living a credit free life and I’m grateful that I have that opportunity. I know that it’s not the same for others. Did you understand budgeting? I know I didn’t understand the finance thing until December 2019. I remember looking at my bank account and I didn’t understand where I spent all my money. Owing so much money on my credit card, I really thought I was doing something. Instead, I was ‘saving’ without a plan and dipping into it whenever I felt like it. It is one thing that I really wish I had learnt about finances, budgeting and investing at the beginning of my 20s but I didn’t.
I did my research that Christmas by watching Patricia Bright’s finance videos. That video made sure that I came correct and got my money right. I bought a budget spreadsheet and started to learn more about finances. I love to travel but I knew I couldn’t be jumping back and forth into my savings for travel.
That is when I discovered having funds for the things that are important to you, paying yourself first, paying off debts and investing an ISA or pension fund. It was hard.
There was so much information but I wanted to get this right before I got much older. Last year was an anomaly year but I was able to save a lot in my different funds. I opened up my pension fund earlier this year and I’ve been learning about different streams of income. Being on top of my finances has allowed me to cut out the unnecessary things and invest in the things that matter.
Invest In Durable Suitcases
I love travelling whether it is international or domestic. Unfortunately, my tattered suitcases aren’t going to cut it anymore. I travel roughly two to three times a year internationally. I don’t like the fact that airport security love to toss around suitcases especially the ones that are not hard cases. My suitcases have suffered over the years. As I have learnt with my bedding sets and my sleeping space, having a durable suitcase set is worth the investment. I decided to buy a suitcase set because 1: it’s cheaper to buy a set than just one, 2: I can easily spot which one is mine at baggage claim. I’ve invested in Calpak luggage set with the marble design, which I’ll pick up later on in year. It’s stylish, it’s durable and it’s going to last me for at least six to seven years.
My Space & My Wardrobe
I know that some of us are heading back into the office and others are working from home permanently. My flat needed an upgrade which is why most of the furniture in my studio didn’t come with me. My living room and my bedroom are two spaces that I have throughly enjoyed decorating. I see my flat as an oasis and a sanctuary.
Making that space aesthetically pleasing and investing in its appearance is important to me. I want to be able to come home to a place that is inviting, cozy and warm. Plants are staple in my flat. I love watching them thrive and grow and nature brings me peace. Now that work has blended into my living space, I like having dedicated spaces for certain things. I love that I have a dedicated space for work and know that I can leave it there and go to another part of my flat for when I want to be creative or when I want to sleep.
My wardrobe and my clothing is something that I have been investing it throughout this year. I want quality and timeless items that are going to last me for years. It means that I’m going to spend money on them. For the past year and a half, I’ve been moving away from fast fashion to slow-fashion, ethical and sustainable brands. Gone are the days where I would buy something that doesn’t even last a season and ends up in a bin.
What investments are you glad that you have made in the last few years? I’m always looking for ways to improve and other things to invest in. Share them in the comments below.
Until next time,
Folakemi
