What Are The Benefits of Having Limited Resources?
Growing up, I had a lack of resources. To be blunt, my family was poor. It can be very isolating when everyone around you seems to have what they wanted more easily and at their fingertips.
However, most people don’t talk about the value and growth that comes with being poor. I know what you’re thinking, what growth can you have if you don’t have access to things? That’s the problem with North American society, we measure our success, growth, and desires based on “objects” or “things”.
What I’ve learned and how I’ve grown from being poor:
- Independence
- You understand the value of money
- You learn how to be by yourself/ be okay being alone
Independence:
You learn how to do things for yourself since you’re unable to get them right away and you find a way to get things done. If you persevere, you find a way to get what you want to be accomplished.
The Value of Money:
Having to earn your own money and thinking consciously about what you can spend your money on, teaches you how to be self-aware of what you want to invest your money on and what value the things you bought that have meaning to you.
Being Alone Becomes Easier:
Depending on what you’re spending your money on, you will likely have to pass on dinner dates or big trips with friends. You learn how to be alone and entertain yourself/ invest in a hobby by yourself. The best part of learning how to be alone is that it is one of the hardest things to accomplish but it is the most fulfilling lesson.
With the holiday season among us, I hope we learn how important it is to celebrate life and connections amongst others and focus less on the materialistic objects that provides this false sense of happiness and accomplishments.
