Blog

The Unseen Power of Women: A Reflection on Life, Enjoyment, and Financial Freedom

There is something I have noticed over time, something subtle yet significant, that stands out when observing the lives of women compared to men. Women, it seems, enjoy life more than men and, surprisingly, they often have more unbudgeted funds at their disposal. This isn’t just a passing observation but a conclusion based on my experiences, personal reflections, and the people I have encountered along the way. I have seen firsthand how women tend to revel in life in ways that men might not always understand, and it has led me to the realization that, perhaps, the world is indeed created for women.

Last year, I had an experience that solidified my perception of this idea. It was a typical day, one that began as nothing more than an ordinary event, but it quickly turned into something remarkable and unforgettable. The Nigerian music scene is filled with vibrant energy, and artists like Odumodublack have been making waves with their unique musical style. One day, he held a performance at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, and I witnessed firsthand how women flocked to this event, turning the entire GRA (Government Reservation Area) into a vibrant scene filled with excitement.

The entire hotel in the GRA was fully booked, and what struck me was that almost every person I saw on the street that day was a woman. The streets were buzzing, not with men as one might expect, but with women who were clearly on their way to attend Odumodublack’s show. Curiosity took over, and I found myself asking around to understand the cause of the immense turnout. It was then I was told that Odumodublack had a show at the Police College.

What intrigued me the most was not just the number of women gathered, but the fact that they were clearly there to enjoy the experience. They didn’t just casually stroll in; they came prepared, they were invested, and they were ready to embrace the full experience of the performance. This sparked a thought: If Odumodublack could attract such a crowd, what would happen when an artist like Flavour, Wizkid, Davido, or Kizz Daniel takes the stage?

Over time, I’ve attended numerous concerts, and one thing is always evident: women dominate the crowd. When watching concert videos of some of the most popular Nigerian music artists, I was astounded by the numbers. At least 70% of the audience at these concerts are young women, without a doubt. In comparison, the number of men in attendance often pales in comparison to the sea of women.

This, of course, brings me to a larger question. How do women manage to afford such lavish experiences? Concerts, hotel stays, and all the accompanying costs associated with them—how is it that women seem to have more disposable income than men?

This thought, which started as a simple curiosity, soon evolved into a deep reflection on the financial behavior and freedom of women. What I began to realize was that, unlike men, women often appear to have more excess funds available. They seem to make more spontaneous purchases, engage in activities without as much hesitation, and appear to embrace the joy of life with fewer financial restrictions.

Take, for instance, the example of women paying a significant amount—such as #150,000—for a hotel room in an area where Odumodublack is performing. While some men might hesitate or outright refuse to spend that kind of money for a performance by an artist they don’t particularly care for, women have no qualms about spending such sums for an experience. The choice is not only about the artist but about the experience, the joy, and the community they feel part of when they attend these events.

Women often prioritize experiences, and they invest their resources in ways that allow them to feel alive, connected, and engaged in the world. This could be an important factor in understanding the difference between men and women in their approach to life.

It’s not just about the enjoyment of life, but the ability to afford these luxuries. The more I observed, the more I realized that women often have unbudgeted funds—money they haven’t planned for, yet it’s readily available for enjoyment, for self-care, for experiences. This isn’t necessarily about wealth in the traditional sense, but rather about access and the choices women make in how they allocate their funds.

Perhaps, as men, we tend to focus on the big financial goals—the long-term investments, the serious decisions that come with career and family responsibilities. While these goals are essential, they often lead to a more rigid approach to spending. In contrast, women often seem more willing to indulge in the smaller, more immediate pleasures of life without the same level of concern or guilt.

This isn’t to say that men don’t experience joy or have the ability to enjoy life. On the contrary, men can and do find pleasure in various aspects of life, but there seems to be a certain freedom that women experience in this regard. There’s a fluidity to their enjoyment, a freedom to indulge in experiences without the constant worry of the financial implications.

What’s particularly fascinating about this observation is that it speaks to a larger issue: women’s financial autonomy. Despite the socio-economic challenges that women face, there seems to be a unique form of financial freedom that many women tap into. This financial autonomy enables women to make decisions on the fly, to spend without being burdened by guilt, and to live in a way that embraces the pleasures of life without the need for justification.

Women have always been resourceful, but the way that they handle finances—often prioritizing experiences over rigid savings and investments—suggests that their approach to money is more flexible. In a sense, women’s ability to live in the moment, to spend without overthinking the consequences, allows them to access a level of joy that many men may find difficult to attain due to their more conservative approach to finances.

As a man, I can’t help but feel that we are often weighed down by the weight of financial responsibilities. The pressure to always provide, to plan for the future, to ensure that the basics are covered, can be overwhelming. These responsibilities sometimes rob men of the ability to live freely and enjoy the moment. Men often carry the burden of being the primary providers, the ones who are expected to hold it all together.

This is not to say that women don’t have their own share of responsibilities. In fact, women are known to juggle multiple roles in both their personal and professional lives. However, there seems to be a cultural allowance for women to prioritize self-care, experience, and enjoyment in ways that men are sometimes discouraged from doing. Men are often expected to be more serious, more pragmatic, and more forward-thinking.

This societal expectation places a heavier load on men, causing them to hold back from indulging in the same freedoms that women seem to enjoy. The pressure to constantly plan, save, and build for the future can result in a mindset where enjoyment becomes secondary. But women, on the other hand, seem to have a different approach—a balance between living in the moment and planning for the future.

Ultimately, after reflecting on these observations, I’ve come to an important conclusion: as a man, you need not compete with a woman. They don’t carry the same burdens, nor do they worry about the same things. The world, in many ways, is structured to allow women to thrive in ways that are different from the challenges that men face. While this may sound like a generalized statement, the truth is that women, in many aspects, have more freedom to enjoy life without the constant constraints that often weigh down men.

It’s crucial to understand that this isn’t about diminishing the struggles men face or suggesting that women have an easier time of it. Rather, it’s a recognition of the unique way women navigate the world—one that allows them to enjoy life, live in the moment, and access resources in ways that men might not.

The key takeaway is simple: Instead of competing or comparing, it’s important to acknowledge these differences and understand that both men and women have their own paths to walk. Rather than measuring our success against others, we should focus on living authentically, embracing the unique opportunities and challenges that life presents, and celebrating the ways in which both men and women contribute to the fabric of our world.

In the end, life is not a competition. It’s about enjoying the ride, regardless of who’s alongside you. And as I have learned, women seem to have mastered the art of enjoying life to the fullest.

Excerpt from ChukwumaNdiogulu

Last year, I witnessed firsthand how women enjoy life. Odumodublack had a show at police college in Ikeja. That day, the whole hotel in GRA were fully booked. The whole GRA were filled with women.

The number of women I saw in GRA that day prompted me to ask what was going on. It was then I was told that Odumodublack was having a show at police college.

If Odumodublack could attract such number of women to GRA, what then would happen to an area where Flavor, Wizkid , Davido or Kizz Daniel is scheduled to perform?

Not all men would like to spend #150k to pay for hotel accomodation in an area Odumodublack is scheduled to perform just because he want to see Odumodublack perform on a stage, but young ladies are doing it.

I have watched concert videos of various music artists. Unbelievably, 70% of the concert attendees were mainly young ladies.