From using stinging tree leaves as tissue, to luxury living: The forgotten struggles of millennials

Millennials in Sub-Saharan Africa may be living large now, but ask them about their childhood, and you’ll hear stories that will make you wonder how they survived. The forgotten struggles of millennials are very real.

From using stinging tree leaves in bushes as a substitute for toilet paper to using cooking fat as face lotion, these are the wild, forgotten, and crazy lifestyle habits of those who didn’t have it easy.

Let’s take a hilarious and somewhat nostalgic trip down memory lane as we compare the past to the current luxurious lifestyle of this resilient generation. In this article, we shall explore the forgotten struggles of millenials.

Humble Beginnings

Before the days of fancy cars, overseas vacations, and designer clothes, life for most middle-level and rich millennials in Sub-Saharan Africa wasn’t all glitz and glam.

In fact, many of the luxuries they enjoy now were things they could only dream of. The excuse most of the time was that ‘our dear parents were saving for the future, or that they were paying school fees for their siblings and their numerous children’.

Take also the example of a photograph.

In today’s world, everyone has access to a phone with a good camera. However, photos in the olden days were only reserved for Christmas when the whole family would go to a photo studio and get a group photo. Next would be days and days of waiting for the photograph to be developed.

Notably, it was also not a guarantee the photo would be processed with many cases reported of the photos being ‘burnt’ (not clearly developed).

People were also comfortable walking semi-naked with fashion not a priority. Only a special set of clothes was set aside for wearing on Sunday when going to church.

With the struggles being an every day to day experience, it was certainly a time when creativity and survival instincts kicked in hard.

The Bush Experience – Using Tree Leaves as Tissue

In those days, tissue paper was not always affordable, and when nature called, well…nature literally provided!

Most millennials will tell you about the legendary soft tree leaves used during those desperate moments in the bushes. Yep, toilet paper was considered a luxury item, and not everyone could afford it. So why even buy tissue when leaves are in abundance?

Not so sure what those who lived in the arid and semi-arid areas used though since leaves were not in abundance!

However, it wasn’t all smooth going when you decided that nature’s softest available material was your plan. It took a few years of learning the hard way to know how to select the best type of leaves to use.

If you’re picturing soft, Charmin-like leaves, sometimes you would be forced to think again! A few cases were reported of persons using leaves that weren’t as soft – such as the stinging nettle.

These leaves weren’t for the faint of heart. They were guaranteed to give you more than just a “fresh” feeling. The only thing scarier than answering nature’s call in a a porcupines neighbourhood was using these nettles without realizing just how much they could sting!

Now imagine that sting on your precious behind… Ouch!

Cooking Fat as Face Lotion – A Lifehack Like No Other

Shea Butter Who? From Greasy to Glossy

Forget fancy skincare routines. Back in the day, if you didn’t have access to lotion, cooking fat was your best friend. Yes, that same greasy, artery-clogging substance was slathered onto faces, hands, and feet to combat the harsh sun and dry winds.

When budgeting for your house monthly home shopping and consumables, cooking fat or butter was meant for both kitchen use and personal body use.

The look? Let’s just say it was shiny. And while it may have been a budget-friendly solution, it’s safe to say no one misses smelling like a frying pan while trying to moisturize.

But right now, it is safe to say no millennial in their right mind would try applying cooking oil on their body. Talk about the forgotten struggles of millennials…

Salt for Toothbrushing – The Ultimate Budget Solution

Toothpaste may seem like a basic necessity now, but for many millennials, brushing teeth with salt was a daily reality. Using toothpaste was a luxury that only appeared on special occasions (or when visitors and relatives from the city came over).

Toothpaste was also only reserved for when traveling outside your village. So what did the millennials use, you ask? Salt!

Salt wasn’t exactly minty fresh, but it got the job done—sort of. Plus, it gave you a chance to feel like you were doing some serious “exfoliating” every morning.

The Fashion Fiasco – Hand-Me-Downs and Oversized Clothes

Custom Tailoring? How hand-me-downs built character

Fashion wasn’t about looking good; it was about making do with what you had. Hand-me-downs were standard, and since nothing ever fit quite right, rolling up sleeves or cinching oversized pants became an art form.

While today’s millennials are rocking designer brands, those early years taught them resilience. Who needs a fashion runway when you’ve mastered the art of rocking your cousin’s old, baggy clothes with pride?

Contrasting Lifestyles – The Forgotten Struggles of Millennials

From Hustling to High-End Vacations

Fast forward to today, and those same millennials are now taking selfies at the Maldives, living it up in five-star resorts. Who could have imagined that those same kids who used stinging leaves in bushes would one day be lounging in private beach villas with private bedrooms with spacious washrooms and the softest of tissues?

The switch from hand-me-downs to designer brands has been real. Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton have replaced those baggy, rolled-up trousers.

And let’s not forget the shoes! Gone are the days of wearing ill-fitting hand-me-downs; now it’s all about rocking the latest kicks.

Food Struggles: Eating to Survive, Not for Fun

When Dinner Wasn’t Guaranteed vs The Current Foodie Lifestyle

Food was about survival, not pleasure. You ate what was available, and sometimes, that meant skipping meals or eating the same dish over and over again.

Nowadays, it’s all about brunch, food trucks, and organic meals. These millennials have become serious foodies, indulging in gourmet dishes and exotic cuisines that their younger selves wouldn’t even recognize.

Indeed, the world has changed with the forgotten struggles of the millennials.

House Parties vs. Current Clubbing Scenes

When a Boom Box Was the Ultimate Party Tool – How Things Have Changed

Back in the day, house parties were the epitome of entertainment. A boom box, some snacks, and you were good to go. The sound system might have been sketchy, but the fun was real.

Today, it’s all about VIP booths and bottle service at fancy nightclubs. Gone are the days of dancing in your living room with your friends—now, it’s about who can get the best table at the trendiest club.

Technology Then and Now – From Radio to Streaming

The Radio Struggles, Owning a Landline Phone vs Smartphones

Remember when owning a radio was the height of luxury? That’s how you got your music fix—no Spotify, no YouTube, just you and the good old radio, praying for good reception.

There was no variety of choice in the entertainment and most radio owners relied on government-owned radio stations.

And let’s not forget the evolution of communication. From landlines and handwritten letters to smartphones and video calls, technology has made leaps that were unimaginable just a few decades ago.

The forgotten struggles of millennials

The lives of middle-level and rich millennials in Sub-Saharan Africa have transformed dramatically over the years. From the days of stinging leaves and cooking fat to high-end vacations and designer clothes, they’ve come a long way.

But it’s those early struggles that built their character, taught them resilience, and gave them the drive to achieve the success they enjoy today.

Just a reminder that you should never forget your past struggles as millennials… Appreciate the growth and stay humble!