I can relate to you about growing up comfortable, but not with excess. I find myself constantly anxious about money and feeling like I could do more or do better. I try to remind myself that I have more than enough and don't need to feel the level of anxiety that I do.
I feel this so much. Growing up with “enough but never extra” really wires something into you. Even when things are okay, the anxiety still taps you on the shoulder like hey, don’t relax too much. Thank you for sharing it and taking the time reading my words! ❤️
Me & my family are not in a very good financial situation. My ultimate goal going into adulthood is to put my family in a much more favorable financial spot. Whether we like it or not, everything in this world revolves around money. I think society would be better off if it wasn’t that way, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. We live in a flawed system (capitalism), where workers are being exploited for businesses to make their profit. 0.001% of the population hold triple the wealth of the entire bottom half of the world - you know, the rich people. We did not choose this system. Ultimately we just have to make the best out of it. Use the money that we make to make ourselves happy. Buy that house, that car that we’ve been wanting as a kid. And just live a happy life, ultimately. That comes with being careful with your money of course, don’t just spend it like it’s candy. That’s how you put yourself at a financial disadvantage.
Thank you for sharing this so honestly. I really feel the mix of realism and hope in what you wrote. Wanting financial safety for yourself and your family is not shallow, it’s human. It's what I want for my family as well. We didn’t choose this system, but we still get to choose how we move inside it and what kind of life we build with what we have. Wishing you so much strength, clarity, and also a little joy along the way. 💫
I hear you. I grew up without much and it's a hard cycle to break. The financial life I've built is 10 times greater than the one my parents built but it's still not enough; although, working on it. If nothing else, perhaps my son will build his 10 times greater than mine, and his son or daughter 10 times greater still. That's the work of generations. But I guess while we're at it, we've got to find enough peace to enjoy each day. Thank you Barbara. Inspired as always.
Thank you for sharing this and reading my post. I feel that so much - breaking those patterns is slow, generational work, and it’s exhausting and hopeful at the same time. You’ve already built so much more than what you came from, and that matters. And yes, trying to enjoy the actual days in between… that part is a whole practice on its own. I really appreciate your words!
Thank you for writing so honestly about your experience with scarcity mindset around money! I think a lot of people struggle with this and need to read these words
Thank you for saying that. It’s such a tricky topic and honestly one so many of us carry around quietly. I’m glad the words were helpful - makes sharing it feel a little less scary :)
I am the daughter of parents who grew up like you, not ever feeling they had enough, ever in the presence of scarcity, so that even well-off, they always saw themselves as poor-adjacent. It felt to me like their security-mindedness made them uncharitable, hoarding. As a result, while I grew up with enough, more than enough, it’s been my life’s challenge to learn how to give generously, easily, without worrying that I’m somehow doing it wrong-e.g. thinking it easier not to give at all rather than give something too small or somehow not right; doubting my ability to decouple generosity and security. Relationship with money is complicated, and the stories we tell ourselves about what we have or need are often more emotional than economically rational. Be kind to yourself!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I really felt the truth in what you wrote. Money stories run so much deeper than numbers, and they stick to us in ways we don’t always notice until we’re adults trying to untangle them. Your reflection on generosity and security… so true! It’s such a delicate balance, and most of us are just figuring it out as we go.
And yes, being kind to ourselves in all this might be the hardest part. I’m right there with you. ❤️
Great essay, Barbara. I don't think we talk enough about how complicated all of our relationships are with money. I loved your perspective, and I know a lot of people who grew up with money who have just as many, if not more, fraught relationships with it. Capitalism doesn't want anyone to feel like they have enough and, the older I get, the more I think understanding what's enough is the key to contentment and gratitude.
Thank you for this, truly! You’re so right... money gets weird for all of us, no matter where we started. And capitalism absolutely thrives on that “never enough” feeling. I’m trying to unlearn that too, bit by bit. Really glad the essay resonated with you!! 💫
I can relate to you about growing up comfortable, but not with excess. I find myself constantly anxious about money and feeling like I could do more or do better. I try to remind myself that I have more than enough and don't need to feel the level of anxiety that I do.
I feel this so much. Growing up with “enough but never extra” really wires something into you. Even when things are okay, the anxiety still taps you on the shoulder like hey, don’t relax too much. Thank you for sharing it and taking the time reading my words! ❤️
Me & my family are not in a very good financial situation. My ultimate goal going into adulthood is to put my family in a much more favorable financial spot. Whether we like it or not, everything in this world revolves around money. I think society would be better off if it wasn’t that way, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. We live in a flawed system (capitalism), where workers are being exploited for businesses to make their profit. 0.001% of the population hold triple the wealth of the entire bottom half of the world - you know, the rich people. We did not choose this system. Ultimately we just have to make the best out of it. Use the money that we make to make ourselves happy. Buy that house, that car that we’ve been wanting as a kid. And just live a happy life, ultimately. That comes with being careful with your money of course, don’t just spend it like it’s candy. That’s how you put yourself at a financial disadvantage.
Thank you for sharing this so honestly. I really feel the mix of realism and hope in what you wrote. Wanting financial safety for yourself and your family is not shallow, it’s human. It's what I want for my family as well. We didn’t choose this system, but we still get to choose how we move inside it and what kind of life we build with what we have. Wishing you so much strength, clarity, and also a little joy along the way. 💫
Thank you for the wise and beautiful words! Wishing you the best of luck, and all of the joy in the world!
I hear you. I grew up without much and it's a hard cycle to break. The financial life I've built is 10 times greater than the one my parents built but it's still not enough; although, working on it. If nothing else, perhaps my son will build his 10 times greater than mine, and his son or daughter 10 times greater still. That's the work of generations. But I guess while we're at it, we've got to find enough peace to enjoy each day. Thank you Barbara. Inspired as always.
Thank you for sharing this and reading my post. I feel that so much - breaking those patterns is slow, generational work, and it’s exhausting and hopeful at the same time. You’ve already built so much more than what you came from, and that matters. And yes, trying to enjoy the actual days in between… that part is a whole practice on its own. I really appreciate your words!
I really resonate with this, and, well, I suppose I needed this. Thank you <3
I’m really glad it found you at the right moment. Thank you for telling me. Wish you all the best ❤️
Thank you for writing so honestly about your experience with scarcity mindset around money! I think a lot of people struggle with this and need to read these words
Thank you for saying that. It’s such a tricky topic and honestly one so many of us carry around quietly. I’m glad the words were helpful - makes sharing it feel a little less scary :)
I am the daughter of parents who grew up like you, not ever feeling they had enough, ever in the presence of scarcity, so that even well-off, they always saw themselves as poor-adjacent. It felt to me like their security-mindedness made them uncharitable, hoarding. As a result, while I grew up with enough, more than enough, it’s been my life’s challenge to learn how to give generously, easily, without worrying that I’m somehow doing it wrong-e.g. thinking it easier not to give at all rather than give something too small or somehow not right; doubting my ability to decouple generosity and security. Relationship with money is complicated, and the stories we tell ourselves about what we have or need are often more emotional than economically rational. Be kind to yourself!
Thank you so much for sharing this. I really felt the truth in what you wrote. Money stories run so much deeper than numbers, and they stick to us in ways we don’t always notice until we’re adults trying to untangle them. Your reflection on generosity and security… so true! It’s such a delicate balance, and most of us are just figuring it out as we go.
And yes, being kind to ourselves in all this might be the hardest part. I’m right there with you. ❤️
Great essay, Barbara. I don't think we talk enough about how complicated all of our relationships are with money. I loved your perspective, and I know a lot of people who grew up with money who have just as many, if not more, fraught relationships with it. Capitalism doesn't want anyone to feel like they have enough and, the older I get, the more I think understanding what's enough is the key to contentment and gratitude.
Thank you for this, truly! You’re so right... money gets weird for all of us, no matter where we started. And capitalism absolutely thrives on that “never enough” feeling. I’m trying to unlearn that too, bit by bit. Really glad the essay resonated with you!! 💫