I think I’m starting to get what causes the broke mindset. And honestly, it’s painful to admit how much of it lives in me. For the longest time, I thought I was just “broke” because I didn’t have enough money. But now I see that it’s more than that, it’s the way I’ve been thinking, the habits I’ve built, and the things I keep telling myself. It’s like a mental cage I didn’t even realize I was in.
There are days when I get money and promise myself I’ll save, but then something always comes up, food, transport, a “small enjoyment” that I convince myself I deserve after stressing through the week. Before I know it, I’m back to zero again, scrolling through my account balance and asking myself, “Where did it go?”. As a student, cycle of earning, spending and regretting can start to feel endless like no matter what, I'll never earn enough.
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I’ve also realized that part of what keeps me stuck is fear. I’m afraid to take risks, afraid to start something and fail. With the statement "I'll start when I make more money", I put myself in waiting for perfect condition which never comes while time goes on. Risk!
it's what need to be taken to make progresses
The scarcity mindset is another thing that’s been holding me back. I always feel like there’s not enough ,not enough money, not enough chances, not enough time. So I rush to grab whatever comes my way, even if it’s temporary. I spend on impulse to satisfy the feeling of lack but only find my self regretting as the more I spend the more I lack.
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And then there’s comparison. I look at other students who always seem to have things figured out, new clothes, better phones, nice places to hang out. it didn't help that my roommate financial situation was a whole financial class above mine, I easily start to feel oppressed and inferior like I'm behind while everyone else has it all figured out. The broke mindset feeds on that as I hide that feeling by pretending to be fine when I'm not, as I pretend and buy so has to satisfy an emotional gap.
But lately, I’ve been trying to break out of it. Not to sound like any typical self help book but I’ve started to see that people who think rich don’t necessarily have more; they just think differently. They plan, they delay gratification, they learn, and they don’t let fear run their decisions. I want that kind of mindset, one that focuses on growth instead of guilt.
Sometimes I fall back to old habit, but I understand that it's gradual and it gets better and I can always call myself back by first being aware of what I'm doing and analyzing what I should not be doing.
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So yeah, I’m still figuring it out. I’m still learning to be patient, to stop chasing temporary relief, and to start thinking long-term. I’m learning to sit with the discomfort of saying “not now” so that one day I can say “finally.” It’s hard, but I know the broke mindset won’t disappear overnight. Still, I believe that if I can change how I think about money and about myself then maybe I can break out of the broke mould.
I hope this was helpful for anyone else also suffering from this mindset and actively trying to break out of it. Thank you for reading (✿‿).