From Lagos to Slovenia: How I Built My Soft Life Abroad
When I left Lagos for Slovenia, I wasn’t just changing countries—I was changing the rhythm of my entire life. Lagos raised me with noise, colour, community, and chaos. Slovenia welcomed me with silence, mountains, and a pace so slow it felt like time had stretched itself out just for me.
I didn’t know it then, but this move would become the beginning of my soft life.
🇸🇮✨A New World: From Lagos Energy to Ljubljana Calm
Slovenia shocked me at first. Not because it was strange, but because it was quiet.
No honking. No street vendors calling out. No neighbours blasting Afrobeats on a Saturday morning.
Instead, I found:
postcard‑perfect mountains
clean, walkable streets
fresh food from local markets
and silence—real silence
At first, I missed the noise. But slowly, I realised peace is also a kind of music.
Slovenia taught me that slow doesn’t mean boring. Slow can mean beautiful
🧕🏾Standing Out: Being a Black Woman in a Small European Country
Let’s be honest—I stand out here.
Sometimes it’s the curious stares. Sometimes it’s the hesitation before someone speaks to me. Sometimes it’s the feeling of being the only one in the room.
But I’ve learned something powerful:
My presence is not a disruption. My presence is a statement.
What helped me thrive:
finding other Africans and Black expats
connecting with open‑minded Slovenians
showing up as myself, always
dressing like the main character (because I am)
I stopped shrinking.
I started shining.
🍲 Holding Two Worlds in One Kitchen
Slovenian food is warm, hearty, and seasonal. But my kitchen? It still smells like home.
Maggi cubes. Jollof rice. Pepper soup. Olive oil and paprika.
I realised I don’t have to choose between cultures. I can hold both. I can be both.
Family is far away, but community grows wherever you water it. And little by little, I’ve found my people here.
👗 What Soft Life Means to Me (Even on a Budget)
Living abroad didn’t magically make life soft. I had to build softness intentionally.
For me, soft life looks like:
walking by the river in linen trousers
drinking coffee slowly, not while rushing
styling my life the way I style my outfits
saying no to anything that steals my peace
Soft life isn’t luxury. Soft life is alignment.
💡 For Every Nigerian Girl Thinking of Moving Abroad
This part is for you:
Pack your confidence. You’ll need it more than your passport.
Stay rooted—cook your food, play your music, call home.
Don’t rush the adjustment. Cry if you need to.
Celebrate your presence. You belong anywhere you choose.
Build your soft life one gentle moment at a time.
🧳 Final Thoughts
Slovenia wasn’t part of my original plan, but it became part of my healing. It taught me that softness is strength, peace is powerful, and your light can shine anywhere—even in unfamiliar places.
To every Nigerian girl dreaming of life abroad: You can do it. And you can do it beautifully.
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| Picture taken at Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest and most iconic peak. |
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