“Soft Life” Is Expensive: Are Students Living Beyond Their Means?

By Taapopi Naftali

Taapopi Naftali is a LLB (Bachelor of Law) student at the University of Namibia, Main Campus. You can find him on instagram @sir__royc3

There were times when a typical student’s experience in Namibia was defined by limited resources: inexpensive meals, shared textbooks and the determination to push through despite having little. Today, however, a new trend is becoming more common, the so-called “soft life.”

Characterized by comfort, aesthetic living and experiences curated for social media, this lifestyle is increasingly visible among students. Yet behind the polished image lies an important question, are students genuinely improving their quality of life or are they deliberately placing themselves under financial strain?

Wanting a soft life is not wrong. It becomes problematic only when students are expected to sustain it within an economic environment that already places considerable pressure on them. In a Namibian context where the cost of basic survival is high, students must ask themselves what kind of “soft life” actually helps their well-being and what kind quietly causes stress.

Many students rely on limited income sources often NSFAF refunds, grants, allowances from family members or part-time work yet their spending often looks like that of financially independent adults, including frequent outings, expensive branded gadgets, e-hailing rides instead of regular cabs and upscale accommodations.

This gap between income and lifestyle is not by accident. Social media plays a big role. It encourages people to constantly show off luxury and makes it seem normal, even for students. But it is also important to admit that students are not the only ones to blame. The cost of living is rising, financial support is often not enough and student life has become more expensive in general. Sometimes, what looks like “luxury” is simply a way for students to cope with stress and pressure.

Ultimately, the question is not whether students should aspire to a better quality of life. Rather, it is whether that life is affordable and realistic.A soft life should not lead to debt, anxiety and long-term struggle. True comfort is not about showing off, it is about having peace of mind and financial stability.

This is especially important because spending habits formed at university often continue into adulthood. If students get used to living beyond their means now, they may face serious financial problems later. In that case, the soft life is not soft at all, it becomes a burden.

Students need to reflect honestly, learn the difference between wants and needs and avoid spending just to impress others. Universities also have a role to play by promoting financial education and creating student spaces where well-being is not tied to spending money.

A soft life is not always irresponsible. It becomes costly when students must finance it within a system that already stretches them thin. In a context where survival itself is expensive, true softness lies not in appearances but in security.