- Country of Origin: South Africa
We learn valuable life lessons the hard way. In 2018, as I proudly stepped out of my final year of high school, little did I know that the journey ahead would teach me valuable life lessons. My post-school life began with an unexpected jab that forever altered my perspective on managing personal finances and also a surprising consideration – environmental sustainability. Who knew?
Gobsmacked by freedom
After completing school, I was convinced that higher education was beyond my grasp. Underestimating my academic record, I decided to take up any job I got.
Independence looked more appealing than education.
I managed to find a job as an Administrative Clerk at a wholesale and supply store. I had no clue that this decision would become the root of my deeper sense of understanding of the economy and money management. As a teenager, my salary, which was more than my pocket money, seemed a luxury. I spent whichever way I wanted. No restrictions. I was so happy I worked there for three years, even during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. It became a necessity then. And why would I leave my newfound independence?
That period was dreadful for those who worked in stores, given the merciless looting that took place in our country. Our lives were at risk of being infected and also due to our workplaces being looted, we were in danger of being killed by store looters — the new breed of looters formed during the pandemic.
Gobsmacked by threats
As an administrative clerk, my interactions with an array of people — drivers, suppliers, and customers — every encounter was almost life-threatening. Implementing stringent safety protocols seemed just mental solace. The threat of the store being looted and in the process of safeguarding it being killed was also scaring me. Striking a delicate balance between upholding professional obligations and safeguarding personal health and life became paramount.
Despite the inherent risks, I approached each interaction with diligence, ensuring that essential business operations continued smoothly, focused on both profit and safety. This added layer of complexity was not for a teen like me. For me, it was a heavy dose of challenges . My goal was just to have a job and safeguard my independence.
Balancing the demands of the job while managing personal anxieties about health and safety became a daily struggle. I grew up to be an adult, a real adult. Despite the hardships, I remained resilient, adapting to new protocols, mastering remote collaboration tools, and maintaining open lines of communication with my superiors.
Witnessing the destruction of businesses and the financial fallout reinforced the fragility of economic stability in me. Something too hard to take in as an independent teenager was the idea of financial insecurity. The very thought of losing my job sent a chill down my spine.
Gobsmacked by finances
It was during these days of instability that I realized the need for financial stability, and that only a college degree paved the route to a better job and hence stronger finances. Determined, I applied for a Bachelor of Commerce in Law degree. Much to my surprise, the institution acknowledged my academic results and cast away the doubts I had about myself. Despite the financial struggles that would accompany. me, I was determined. I joined the college.
But once independent, always independent. As I alone shouldered the burden of college fees and other monthly expenses, I could not afford to quit my job as clerk. However, this challenge served as a stepping stone for my personal growth, growth towards adulthood, towards worldly maturity. I transitioned from a spendthrift teen and learned how to budget and save. I turned my financial burden into my financial awareness.
Juggling work and studies, I found gratitude in the fact that my employment not only fueled my educational pursuits, but also provided a way to help my family financially. I understood the value of taking care of the needs of my family.
My job allowed me to review the ever-changing prices from suppliers for an extensive array of household products, from hardware to appliances to food. It was during this time that I witnessed the harsh reality of economic instability. The instability that affected me and everybody else around me. The price of essential food items such as corn, wheat, and rice increased significantly as the months passed.
Occasionally, the company’s suppliers used to send out letters notifying us of shortages of certain products or informing us of inflation due to the scarcity of raw materials. My education continued, I started noticing the interconnectedness of our economic systems with environmental sustainability. Our actions, both as individuals and as a society, have far-reaching consequences.
When many saw the scarcity of raw materials exploding the prices, I saw the importance of taking care of our natural resources.
I felt the need to prioritize environmental responsibility.
I stopped running after wants. In a world where our choices are impacted by availability and price tags, the importance of the modest consumer takes on a broader perspective. It extends beyond financial stability to encompass the conservation of resources and the preservation of our environment.
Experiencing the economic instability due to pandemic effects, with looting and its aftermath, stirred in me the need for a mindful and sustainable approach to life. These challenges forced my family and me to adapt to be more resourceful and wise with our spending. We cut our expenses wherever possible, and managed with whatever we already had.
Gobsmacked by environmental sustainability
Saving, reusing, and recycling are not just environmentally friendly actions. In moments of uncertainty, I turned to those simple yet profound acts as a source of empowerment and resilience. Whether it was finding new ways to repurpose household items or diligently sorting recyclables, each action felt like a small but meaningful contribution to a larger cause. Beyond just environmental conservation, these practices turned into my values to become a source of personal fulfillment even during a difficult time. I embraced a commitment to sustainability by prioritizing the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Actually, the pandemic recycled my values and priorities.
Recognizing the importance of minimizing waste and conserving resources, I did my bit for the environment and drew my own satisfaction. Reducing unnecessary consumption, carefully assessing my needs, and opting for eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible became my motto.
Additionally, I actively sought out opportunities to extend the lifespan of things and reduce landfill. My small yet humble step towards embracing sustainability.
Embracing the recycling ethos, I diligently sorted waste materials and ensured proper disposal in recycling facilities, contributing to the circular economy and promoting a positive chain reaction that influences the availability of resources, the stability of economies, and the well-being of our planet.
As we navigate through the uncertainties of life, a pandemic that hit the entire world, tragic and devastating for millions, left a never-fading print of horror in our lives. Its effects changed how we view life, and I was no exception. A commitment to responsible living can create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
My journey taught me that being financially aware is important because anything similar could knock us out again, leaving us in limbo and facing inflated prices. The choices we make today in response to the environment will have a big impact tomorrow.
Thank you toTripti Mund and Yosef Baskin for their inspired edits on this piece and everyone else on the Work & Life team.
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Nazmira Sheik
Nazmira Sheik is a Bachelor of Commerce in Law student from South Africa. She blends legal acumen with an administrative background spanning five years. With diverse experience in HR assistance and accounts, she navigates the complexities of business and the interpersonal. Alongside academic and professional pursuits, Nazmira is the creative mind behind Crown Creations, her graphic design venture. Her dynamic journey traverses legal studies, business expertise, and a flourishing entrepreneurial spirit.
One Comment
Sherwin
Well done Amar 👍 structure and feelings put into this are absolute and appealing