Keeping my circle and needs simple costs me less

My colleague at work has been on my neck to patronize her for items such as wrist watches, shoes, and even clothes. We are pretty close, and since almost a year, she has started selling thrift stores and engaging in online businesses where she orders for what people like based on her status, and she makes her profits, sometimes significant profits. Personally, I wish to patronize her or perhaps support her business, but the problem I have with her goods is that they are high-class, as are the price tags. A week ago, she asked me to pay N13, 000 for a wrist watch, and sincerely, it was worth it. The challenge I had was food first, and even if I were going to buy a wrist watch, I would rather buy cheaper ones that are durable at least, and changing them can give me the advantage of variety and more. I'm confident I can get at least three good wrist watches for the ₦13, 000 that I would have spent to get one. My last purchase of wristwatches was two years ago (due for another one I guess) but they were cheap, less sophisticated and more in number, inter changing them made them last till date as well as the spice of variety.

IMAGE CREDIT IS MINE

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My work environment is such that I have the opportunity to interact with a few friends, discuss, and make some gossip. Recently, I have realized my achievements for the day are usually low as I have allocated less time to myself. The narrative, however, changed recently when I began to focus more time on myself and on activities such as Hive scripts and engagements, reading, etc. This only meant I had less time to spend with my close friends at work and more time for myself. I have been questioned occasionally when my friends realize I do not spend as much time as I used to. Unknown to them, I was not benefiting in the long run, even though I enjoyed my company with them. A little less of my presence with them grants me more quality time to spend on myself for improvement and rest.

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I used to think having many friends and being famous meant the world was at my beckon and I could get all I needed at a snap. Unfortunately, over the years, I realized the numerous people I surrounded myself with are around me more for convenience than necessity, and this also comes with the burden of having to support both the necessary and the unnecessary, sometimes a question of my responsibility. I had more commitments than necessary; weddings and occasions were at the top, and this caused me more harm than good as I needed to financially contribute for those that really would not consider me a priority. It's funny how I began to reduce my communication with everyone. Letting go of my side of the line made me realize that I was the one who held onto people more than they did to me. Of course, my arms are open for interventions, but I have let go of the attitude of staying relevant in people's lives when the need arises. Now, I have three inner circle friends and a few other friends; the majority of others are viewed as a platter of acquaintances or when the need arises. This gives me a lot of peace and reduces the burden of requests for help that may destabilize me. Perhaps maturity helps me to separate the relevant from those that do not contribute to my life.

IMAGE CREDIT IS MINE: my inner circle of friends and I

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My life remains an open book to be read, but those willing to mark their relevance with ink of importance are few and welcome.

Thank you for reading. I hope to hear your comments and contributions.