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The Right Gear for the Season: Lessons from a Pair of Gumboots

When the rains began around April, I did something small but game-changing—I bought myself a pair of gumboots. Not the cute, trendy ones from Instagram ads. Just plain, functional boots. Every time the clouds threatened, I put them on, slipped my umbrella into my bag, and left the house without a second thought.

Walking through puddles in the CBD while everyone else tiptoed around, I noticed the stares. Especially when the rain had stopped by midday and the sun was blazing, people would glance at me like I had missed the memo. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t worried about wet feet, slipping on pavements, or ruined shoes. I was dry, steady, and calm—ready for the season I was in.

And that got me thinking: how many of us are fighting life’s rainstorms in sandals? How many of us are too focused on appearances, trends, or the opinions of others to gear up properly for our current season?

The Right Tools Change Everything

Having the right tools doesn’t just make life easier—it gives you confidence. It removes panic. It lets you focus on the actual journey, not the obstacles.

But here’s the catch: the right tools aren’t always pretty. They don’t always match the moment. And they’re rarely praised.

The Power of Unfashionable Choices

Let’s go deeper with some real Kenyan examples that show how “unfashionable” tools—or choices—can quietly protect, empower, and transform your life.

1. The KES 20K Bedsitter in Kileleshwa

People laugh when you say you’re renting a small SQ in Kileleshwa for 20K. “You know you can get a 1-bedroom for 10K in Rongai, right?” But they don’t know your life.

You work on Ngong Road. Your job requires you to be in early and sometimes leave late. Living nearby means you walk to work, save on fare, avoid traffic stress, and still make it home in time to rest, cook, or work on your side hustle. The area is quieter, safer, and more conducive to deep rest. You’re not paying for space—you’re buying time, mental peace, and consistency. That’s your gumboot.

2. The Old Hot Pot in the Backpack

A junior doctor in training carries an old-school hot pot to work, packed with githeri or rice and beans from home. Everyone else is queuing for fast food during their short lunch breaks, but she heads to the staff room, heats her food, eats in peace, and even gets time for a 10-minute nap. She’s saving money, avoiding junk, and staying sharp. The hot pot may be old and slightly dented, but it’s doing more than anyone realizes. That’s her gumboot.

3. The M-Pesa Line You Keep Open

A lady runs a small beauty shop in Umoja. She doesn’t make much yet, but she pays to keep a second M-Pesa line open strictly for business. It earns her trust from new customers and helps her separate personal and business money. It’s not glamorous. It doesn’t “trend.” But it’s protecting her financial growth and slowly building discipline. That line is her gumboot.

4. The Umbrella That Lives in the Bag

A boda boda rider keeps a foldable umbrella tucked into the side pocket of his bike jacket—not for himself, but for customers. When the rain starts unexpectedly, others are scrambling for shelter, but he’s still making trips. Customers remember him. They ask for him by name. His earnings go up in a season that stalls everyone else. That little umbrella? It’s his gumboot.

5. The Woman Who Refused a Trendy Loan

In a chama meeting, everyone was excited about a new mobile loan app. One woman quietly declined. She’s been burnt before. Instead, she saves with M-Shwari, slowly, consistently, no fanfare. A year later, when she needs to move house urgently, she doesn’t beg or panic. She has her fallback. Sometimes the smartest tool is the one that doesn’t announce itself.

Why We Sometimes Avoid the Practical for the Popular

Many of us choose what looks good or fits in over what works best for our current situation. Social pressure, cultural expectations, and the desire to impress can blind us to what truly helps.

But the right tool doesn’t have to be popular or Instagram-worthy. It just needs to work for you in your season of life — whether that’s a tough rainy spell, a busy harvest time, or a quiet period of rest.

Knowing Your Season and Choosing Your Tools

Recognizing your season means asking honest questions:

  • What challenges am I facing right now?

  • What practical things can I use or do to make this easier?

  • Which “tools” or habits have helped me in the past?

  • What’s worth ignoring — what’s trendy but not helpful?

When you answer these, you start building your own kit of gumboots, umbrellas, and reliable tools — even if they don’t always get a nod from the crowd.

Practical Ways to Find Your Right Tools

  • Take stock of your current season. What feels hard or easy? What do you wish you had?

  • Learn from others who have thrived in similar seasons. What tools did they use?

  • Experiment with small changes — a new habit, a conversation, a resource — and see how it shifts your experience.

Final Thoughts: Dress for the Weather You’re In

Too many of us are soaking wet emotionally, financially, or mentally—because we’re trying to impress people who won’t hold the umbrella for us. We reject what works because it looks odd or feels inconvenient. But real freedom often hides behind the things we overlook.

It might be a boring budget app. A no-frills health insurance plan. A less glamorous phone with long battery life. A job that pays modestly but gives you your sanity. A pair of literal gumboots.

Whatever your season, dress for it. Equip for it. And don’t be afraid to stand out while doing it. So find your gumboots. They might not look like everyone else’s, but they’re made for your path.

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