#scarcity mindset

[bitchesgetriches]

Do you have any tipps or advice for decluttering when poor?

I am trying to tidy up and declutter and thought a podcast would help, but Feminist Survival Podcast 2025 threw me off with "you have too much stuff". Yes, if you combine households, you have more stuff than before and things are double. And I got things from a late relative and now I need to sort what I want to keep. But I am a broke person and buying replacements when things break is hard so letting go of things I might need in the future is difficult, too! Do you have any help or could point me to someone who could help?

Ok, I know it's trite, but... Marie Kondo is actually really wonderful for this.

You're living in a scarcity mindset--and I don't blame you!!! I've been there. But the Kondo method of considering each item and whether it "sparks joy" is a great way of examining your mindset and turning it somewhere more positive. You'll be able to carefully ask yourself, "Am I holding onto this thing because I genuinely like or need it? Or am I holding onto it because it makes me feel safe to keep it against potential future emergencies?"

Minimalism is a lot like frugality. It's less about decluttering and downsizing and more about INTENTIONALITY.

Plus, you can likely make money from selling some items you don't need. Here's more:

My Cure for Aimless Wardrobe Syndrome: Manage Your Clothes the Same Way You Manage Your Money 

Everything I Know About Minimalism I Learned from the Zombie Apocalypse

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[nagichi-boop]

I spent a day with Angela Giarratana felt lowkey therapeutic, so here’s some parts that I found particularly profound and/or comforting (with some minor tweaks to condense the quote)

(Putting under a cut cuz I realised there are too many good quotes and this got long)

— (Angela) “The reason why I have so much is because I lead with the word ‘yes.’ And I said yes to everything, which is why I think I have so many fun avenues to create and great groups of collaborators. But someone told me that ‘no’ is actually magnetic too, and that saying no will open up other things for you.”

— (Angela) “I can be enough and not be ridiculous. I can just sit and talk, and I’m not letting anyone down, it’s not boring. It’s hard for me not to have a joke lined every 5 seconds, like am I only making jokes so I don’t lose someone cuz I’m worried I’m getting boring? And it’s just sitting in that space going; ‘if I am boring, let’s just see - will everyone walk out? Will everyone hate me? I dunno, there’s only one way to find out.’”

— (Angela) “If we’re being really honest, I think somewhere deep down, I think I am boring and not interesting. As I grow older I notice it, and I then care less and less. I think the more I see people stick around for just who I am, it makes me feel more comfortable. As I’m getting older, I feel more and more vulnerable with just being myself.”

— (Anthony) “It’s tiring to wear a mask and be something because people want you to be this way. And there was a big period of time where I was afraid of people not liking me, so I was trying to be as broadly appealing as possible. ‘I want everyone to like me! There’s one commenter that didn’t like me? How can I change to make sure that person likes me too?’ But I’ve come to realise that actually, this is an awesome way to filter out sh—y people that I don’t even want to like me. If someone only likes me because I’m fake and I’m trying to be this person for them, actually I don’t want them to like me.”

— (Angela) “‘I want every single person to like me, because if every single person likes me, that means I’m valued, and that means I am of value and I’m not a piece of sh—.’ But then you go; ‘I don’t know if I’m genuinely connecting with anyone, cuz every single thing I’m doing is bullsh—, and I’m just emulating what I think this person wants so they can approve of me, and that’s just a lonely place to live.’”

— (Angela) “Sometimes when you’re around abusive friendships or relationships that might not be good for you is when you don’t feel like you can have an opinion - that’s when you know. Like something in you is thinking, ‘I’ll do whatever you want cuz it’ll be easier that way.’ That’s a safety mechanism that you don’t really need if you’re feeling fully supported.”

— (Anthony) “When you surround yourself with people that expect you to do whatever they want or they expect you not to have an opinion, in a sense it’s almost like you don’t necessarily respect yourself fully, so you are allowing people who don’t fully respect you into your life.”

— (Anthony) “With these transitional periods, there’s so much uncertainty, and I feel like that’s really scary when you’re used to knowing what you’re going to do. And sometimes you find peace in having that North Star that’s super obvious. But there’s actually so much freedom in this time of uncertainty. Cuz if someone says ‘what are you gonna do?’, you’re like ‘I dunno, I’ll figure it out as it comes; as my day progresses, as my life progresses, I’ll figure it out in the moment.’”

— (Anthony) “I feel like the more that you are comfortable being yourself and the less that you do worry about what people think of you, it’s actually the opposite effect. I feel like it’s natural to think that if you care about what people think of you that you’ll be more entertaining. But what’s interesting is it’s the opposite effect I’ve realised. The less you care about what they think about you, the more that it will actually attract them to be like, ‘wait, oh she’s just being herself,’ and it makes it so much more interesting. I think it’s the authenticity.”

— (Anthony) “I feel like our entire culture is centered around the outcome of everything that we do, and that’s why we’re so future oriented; we’re never in the present just enjoying it. It’s like turning on a song just to get to the end of it. It’s like doing a dance just to do the final pose. That’s not the point - it’s about the process.”

— (Anthony) “We all want what’s familiar, even if it’s hurtful, because it’s like; ‘I know I can deal with that pain. I know I can deal with that uncomfortable feeling. That’s a lot of discomfort, but I know I can handle that.’”

— (Anthony) “It’s preemptively feeling less than just in case you have to feel less than in the future.” (Angela) “Cuz I’d rather feel less than on my terms than someone making me do that cuz it hurts more.” (Anthony) “But when you do it on your terms, you almost invite because people will treat you and you will be treated in the way that you perceive yourself. And if you perceive yourself as less than because you preemptively want to feel that feeling, you are inviting that to happen.”

[supremeromanticizer]

I developed a scarcity mindset due to trauma and slowly trying to unlearn it while also living in a society where overconsumption is rampant is actually devious

[ascendantevolution]

Fear, Belief, and Abundance

Fear is not meant to be a natural part of our makeup. If we think about the function of fear, fear was designed as a survival mechanism. There were to be moments of fear, such as when a predator was hunting us. But then the fear was meant to be released and life returned to normal.  

Human beings have created a culture for which the economy is fear. There is no returning to feeling “normal.” Anxiety has become the norm.  

For every physical action, there is a psychological consequence, whether good or bad. A culture built on fear-based competition leads to a culture built on suspicion. The lack, the feelings of lack, of not having enough money, creates desperation and crime. A culture built on fear of how one is going to live day-to-day is a culture that is ripe for revolution.   

A culture consumed with these concerns is one wherein its constituents see themselves as separate when, in fact, we are all part of the same Source. A part of the objective right now is for us to unlearn those feelings of separation. And the first step is to step out of the fear.  

One may laugh and say,” But how do I do that? I would love to not feel fearful.” And we would congratulate them for their honesty because, in that statement, they admit that they are at least aware of their fear. There are so many who are not, those who do not think they have any fear. They need to believe that they have it all together, when deep inside, there is an anxiety of all their blessings disappearing from them overnight.  

We are speaking to both groups here. For those of who beg the question about how to stop fearing, know that fear is a figment of the mind. The mind must be adapted and disciplined to discontinue fear. For those that are not yet aware, let the vibrational resonance of the truth of these words be received in their hearts so that they may awaken. This is a choice they must make that no one can force on them.  

The sooner all awaken, the better for us as a collective, and the All. We are here in support of their abundant living. We are here in support of their karmic release. When we say “karmic release,” we refer to the experiential state that individuals find themselves in when they have broken natural laws. Now, Dear Ones, it is time to awaken. And to release. So that all may step in to fully abundant living.  

Abundant living is a right and of one’s own making. Think of it as the flipside of karma. One must believe in their abundance, but what does it take to believe in that? Feelings of worthiness? Feelings of calm, compassion, unity with the All? When we believe in our own worthiness, not as a matter of how others perceive us or the status hoops we learn to jump through in a culture such as ours – when we know our worthiness, our mind and heart follow.  

Knowing creates intention, motivation, commitment. That impacts vibration, which is communicated to the Universe. The energetic field that receives the waves of energy we send out receives those messages, and, as a cooperative, co-creative Universe, immediately goes to work on fashioning our projected reality.  

So often, when one’s belief is that they are unworthy in some way, that belief will mirror for us a life that feels lonely (especially internally); painful, terrifying, one full of scarcity (whether scarce of money, love, acceptance, being seen and heard); competition and conflict; which feeds a negative feedback loop of unworthiness, scarcity, and fear.  

It is not the Universe that decides what one receives. When the Universe receives our vibration, It thinks that what is contained within that energetic communication is what we want, so it creates more of that for the one sending the energetic message.  

Ironically, at the soul level, we could very well be “needing” the lessons those energetic messages carry which, through struggle and suffering, will eventually help us to value ourselves. So, if this be true, why bother? 

Often, this life on Earth is referred to as a game. It helps to know 1) that there is a game; 2) a little about how it works; and 3) that in the end it is to our benefit. If we know these things, we can, through our growing awareness, add intention, discipline, and right work to “the work” we are here to do, thus speeding up our processes.  

But, before we can do anything with intention, we must examine our beliefs. People cling to their beliefs out of insecurity and, again, fear because beliefs act as a system of rules for us playing our game. They give us a semblance of having control over the game. However, oftentimes, they can be based on other’s perceptions and pressures as well as illusion. 

If one’s beliefs are not serving them, it may be time to examine them closely, release what no longer serves, and recalibrate. Perhaps it is time to accept worthiness, do work internally to support that vibration, and to fashion new beliefs about who we are and what we “deserve.” 

For those who have been locked into this drama of being locked into beliefs that do not serve, leading to fear and its energetic, are you not tired? Have you not grown wary of it?  

Is hanging on to your current beliefs about yourself, your status, your life so important that you are willing to sacrifice your own abundance and happiness?  

Have you ever considered that just maybe you do not know what you do not know? Can you let that vibration into your heart and your mind, to open doors of curiosity and, in the process, invite in abundance, and feeling of freedom, beyond your wildest dreams? 

[fiore244]

Learning to return things I didn’t like that much anyways has been a symbolic and deep lesson that has bled into every other aspect of my life.

You can choose to try something or someone out and still decide it’s not for you afterwards and it’s okay.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Scarcity

The philosophy of scarcity is a perspective or worldview that centers on the belief that resources are limited and insufficient to satisfy all human wants and needs. It acknowledges the fundamental reality that there are finite resources available in the world, and that individuals, organizations, and societies must make choices about how to allocate these resources among competing uses. The philosophy of scarcity influences attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making processes in various aspects of life, including economics, politics, and social relations. Here are some key aspects of the philosophy of scarcity:

Resource Limitation: At its core, the philosophy of scarcity recognizes that resources such as land, labor, capital, and raw materials are limited in supply relative to the demand for them. This scarcity of resources necessitates trade-offs and choices about how to allocate scarce resources efficiently and effectively to meet competing needs and desires.

Opportunity Cost: One of the central concepts in the philosophy of scarcity is opportunity cost, which refers to the value of the next best alternative forgone when a decision is made. Every decision involves trade-offs, and choosing to allocate resources to one use necessarily means sacrificing the opportunity to use those resources for other purposes.

Competition and Allocation: Scarcity leads to competition among individuals, organizations, and nations for access to limited resources. In economic systems, markets play a central role in allocating scarce resources through mechanisms such as price signals, supply and demand dynamics, and market mechanisms. Government intervention and regulation may also influence resource allocation in response to perceived market failures or social objectives.

Rational Choice Theory: The philosophy of scarcity is often associated with rational choice theory, which posits that individuals make decisions based on rational calculations of costs and benefits to maximize their utility or satisfaction given limited resources. Rational decision-making involves weighing the benefits and costs of different options and choosing the one that yields the greatest net benefit.

Scarcity Mindset: Beyond its economic implications, the philosophy of scarcity can manifest as a scarcity mindset, characterized by a pervasive sense of lack or insufficiency. Individuals with a scarcity mindset may feel anxious, competitive, and preoccupied with acquiring and hoarding resources out of fear of deprivation or loss. This mindset can influence behaviors related to consumption, saving, and interpersonal relationships.

Distributional Justice: Scarcity raises questions about fairness and distributional justice in the allocation of resources within societies. Debates over economic inequality, poverty, social welfare programs, taxation, and redistribution policies often reflect competing values and principles regarding how scarce resources should be distributed to ensure equitable outcomes and promote social cohesion.

Environmental Sustainability: The philosophy of scarcity also intersects with concerns about environmental sustainability and the finite carrying capacity of the Earth's ecosystems to support human populations and economic activities. Addressing environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate change requires recognizing and mitigating the impacts of resource scarcity on ecological systems and future generations.

Overall, the philosophy of scarcity underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the inherent limitations of resources in human societies, and the need for thoughtful decision-making and resource management strategies to navigate the challenges posed by scarcity.

[scottguy]

The scarcity mindset causes selfishness and greed.

[bitchesgetriches]

Wise and esteemed bitches, I feel like I've finally made it. After years of service oriented jobs I've landed a back office gig that is salaried, paying me more to do less and has opportunities to grow (and rub shoulders with an awful lot of VPs) at a company I love with great benefits. I have so much more freedom as a salary gal, but I'm having a hard time taking advantage of it. How do I not feel bad for leaving 15 minutes early when I don't have anything to do? Or feel like I should stay late to make up the time if traffic was bad? My boss kicks me out of the office at 3 on Fridays and I still feel guilty even with explicit permission. How do I rewire this part of my brain??

My dear, you have a scarcity mindset! And it's perfectly normal to struggle with it. You've had to fight to get by for years, and you can't just turn off that survival mode like flipping a switch.

We've given advice on situations like yours before, so I'm going to link you to those articles below. But in general, I want you to remember that you are basically recovering from trauma. Financial scarcity is incredibly traumatizing on one's mental and physical health. It leads to burnout (OH HEY WE HAVE A WHOLE COURSE ON RECOVERING FROM THAT SHIT) and truly requires a period of recovery.

Be kind to yourself.

Ask the Bitches: I Know How to Struggle and Fight, but I Don't Know How to Succeed

Update: I Know How to Struggle and Fight, but I Don’t Know How to Succeed

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[lovelibertyrose]

God's Provision in Hard Seasons:

Lessons from Jeremiah’s Teachings Trusting in the true source. Who is my actual confidence resting upon?Learning the difference between man’s ways and God’s ways. Introduction: Jeremiah 17:5-8 has always fascinated me. I am particularly interested in verses 7-8. They describe being like a tree planted by water. It bears fruit even in times of drought. I’ve been wrestling with verses 5-6. It…

[ed-recovery-affirmations]

Um, i hope that this is okay... This is in response to the Anon who is struggling with intuitive eating and always being hungry. When I entered the extreme hunger phase of recovery I did a bit of research and found out that there is not just physical hunger but mental hunger to deal with in recovery from restrictive eating disorders. Basically, even though you feel full your mind is still hungry. (Follow the Intuition has a great video on this on YouTube!) The only way to solve this is to let your mind know food is always available now. The mind is still in panic mode from restriction. Personally I found always having snacks around helps this mental hunger. Sometimes I would eat them, especially in the beginning, but now just knowing they are available is enough most of the time. And now that my mind has calmed down it is a lot easier to focus on the physical sensations of hunger, and learning to eat intuitively.

Hi anon, thank you for this! Posting it and hoping someone finds it helpful.

[lifeinspiration4all]

The true cause of our unhappiness isn’t lack — it’s confusion. Enough isn’t found in more things, but in clearer meaning, deeper gratitude, and living aligned with what truly matters.

[highclasspoverty]

I always thought a scarcity mindset was the belief that you’ll never have enough. But If you ask me, I’m always in a scarcity mindset because I’m only ever focused on what I don’t have.

Forget the abundance of love I have, I can only focus on the love I don’t. Forget the wealth I have, I can only focus on the debts.

Im blocking my blessings here with this goddam scarcity mindset.

(Shut up if this is normal for you bc this was profound for me.)

[jbfly46]

You have to get rid of your scarcity mindset with gratitude before you can receive abundance.

[dinosaur-ears]

"I personally don't think humans exist for society I think societies exist to serve humans"

Hell yeah.

I think expecting everyone to work is fundamentally a solution to the problem that we need (nearly) everyone to contribute if we want flourishing communities. Especially before recent technologies, but even so we need people to maintain those technologies.

I deeply believe that people desire to contribute to their communities. Many people I know take time outside of their paid work to volunteer and gain that sense of meaning and connection. When I ask, most people I know agree that they would actually put more useful good into the world if they didn't work.

Add to that the fact of increasing efficiency and automation, where we are able to do more with less effort than any other point in human history. If running society takes, say, 30% as much effort as it did 100 years ago, why are we creating scarcity around jobs and putting in more work for its own sake instead of having people work 30% as hard on average? We could be using that margin to have rich relationships and make art and read instead of enriching a handful of people. I think part of the answer is that we could use that extra energy to challenge those who currently hold the most influence.

I don't think UBI is the only solution, but I think it's the best bridge between the world and economy we currently have and a future where we fully acknowledge that not all jobs are needed or are making the world better.

So, like, universal basic income.

One of the things I’ve heard people say is how, you know, you need income as a motivation to make people work. And I’ve heard some great arguments against that.

But also.

There are a lot of low-paid jobs that actually make the world a crappier place. Like, if we could just pay everyone in the fast fashion industry to stay home and not go to work, the world would be a much better place. If we paid people enough that they didn’t need to work in factories, then large-scale manufacture of crappy stuff wouldn’t be feasible anymore.

Like, we’re basically in a post-scarcity society. We have more than enough food and clothing for everyone. This manic capitalist mindset where we force people to go to jobs they hate to remove value from the world is insane, right?

And maybe if we instituted this we’d lose fast food corporations and stuff. But I bet they’d be replaced by small restaurants run by people who are passionate about what they do.

[haveacupofjohanny]

Why Some Don't See Their Pets as Family and How in a Marriage That May Be a Game Changer

Pets are more than just animals—they’re family. But what happens when your partner doesn’t see it that way? Navigating different views on pets in a marriage can be tough, but open conversations can bridge the gap. 🐾💬 #PetsAsFamily #MarriageDynamics

Losing my beloved cat, Lento, was a heartbreaking experience that forced me to reflect on the profound impact pets have on our lives. For those of us who consider our pets to be integral members of the family, the thought of living without them feels unimaginable. But this sentiment can create challenges in a relationship, especially when your partner doesn’t share the same emotional bond with…

[inspirespirit-with-lety]

From Scarcity to Abundance: discover Your Happiness now

Introduction Do you ever feel like you’re constantly running out of time, money, or joy? A scarcity mindset can trap you in a cycle of never having enough. This feeling makes you feel like you’re endlessly chasing something just out of reach. This mindset focuses on what you lack, rather than celebrating what you already have. But what if you shift your perspective and unlock a life full of…