The Scarcity Mindset Paradox
Interestingly enough, I believe every person on this planet has some sort of scarcity mindset ingrained in them, no matter how rich they may be. Ironically however, most people end up wasting more of the very thing they want to preserve because of their scarcity mindset as compared to if they didn't have one at all. I think that in such a materialistic world, a lot of this perceived scarcity is no longer necessary. Consumer goods are currently being sold at a frighteningly high level in our modern world due to rampant advancements in product development.
I like to compare this scarcity mindset paradox to an analogy about fruit. When you go to the grocery store or farmers market, you should be picking the best produce to ensure the most satisfaction. Just like how you wouldn't save your fruit for later as it would expire, you shouldn't be hiding all of your material possessions for later while eating soggy fruit in the present in hopes of saving the "better fruit" for a better time. NOW is the better time. Eat the good fruit while its still good. This applies to basically all consumer goods. Remember the lipstick that you would rarely use because it was so expensive? Welp. Now it's expired. Same with moisturizer, lotion, eyeshadow, mascara, perfume, and all the bells and whistles.
Sometimes, the most financially responsible thing to do isn't to buy 100 of one cheap item so you don't feel bad about wasting them, but to instead buy 1 really good quality item that you will for sure use and enjoy. Especially in the era of overconsumption, choosing what you spend money on wisely is crucial to ensuring its proper use. I've seen firsthand how many consumer products get thrown away unused, simply because too much time has passed.
But I want all of you to reflect. Who are you saving your good things for? A future self that wished their past self simply just used and enjoyed their things while it was prime time for its use?
Image from: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=moldy+fruit
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