The mindset shift that set me free
Leaving the scarcity mentality behind
I listened to someone’s story on Instagram two years ago, and she reflected on the abundance mentality, which she heard about in a sermon that day.
She applied it to food, saying to herself that she can have snacks anytime and that she is choosing not to have it at this moment or to have some now and eat the rest later.
This mindset stopped her from feeling deprived, reduced her craving, and gave her peace of mind.
I saw the abundance mentality defined as believing there is enough for ourselves and others in my research. I had known that there is enough for others, and I needed to remember that there is enough for me.
The thought came to mind recently as I recalled that ten years ago, my sister presented me with a chocolate bar that she had gotten for me on her trip, and I ate the whole thing.
She exclaimed in shock when she saw what had happened, mentioning that her best friend and my mum ate only 3–4 squares of the bar when presented with it and kept the rest for later.
I thought of this story recently and reflected on why I ate the whole bar. I realized that I had the scarcity mentality then because I believed that I might never see it again, so I would enjoy all I could of it now, even though at the 10th square I was satisfied already.
The shift to the abundance mindset is saying there is enough for me, I can have this anytime, and I don’t have to have it all now because it will always be there.
I applied this to travel, shopping, and television, to name a few. I told myself that I could come back anytime on trips, and I would savor what I could do. I also said that I did not have to travel everywhere I wanted now, and I could do it over time.
It stopped me from impulse shopping because I told myself that I could buy what I needed and come back another time for the others. I could also watch television series by episodes and refrain from binging them and waking up late the next day or not even sleeping. I believe now that it will always be there when I need it.
Knowing there is enough for me gives me peace, satisfaction, and contentment. I don’t feel like I deny myself of anything, and I can make more precise decisions.
Naturally, what is scarce is seen as valuable, and realizing it in abundance helps me understand that it will always be accessible when I want it.
