Story Time: The Power of Being Broke & What It Taught Me
Being broke has its benefits, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Here’s why…
What I Learned
1. Creativity & Resourcefulness
When you’re broke, you have to be creative, period. Budgeting, planning, thinking, and experimenting are all part of this. You are FORCED to find new ways to look at the world of finances.
You look for sales, deals, coupons, discounts, and anything else that will save your bank account. Both your eyes and head are on a constant swivel. You are more conscious of your money and the impact it has.
You make more calls, and are more proactive when looking for available resources. It’s amazing how many resources exist, all it takes is a curious soul to discover them. Walmart, Shop Rite and the Dollar Store were my best friends. No WiFi = camping inside fast food restaurants, until they closed, then when they closed…camp outside. Why not?
2. Not Being Afraid to Ask for Help
It’s OK to ask for help.
I once struggled with this concept, I felt I should deal with my own problems and not ask anyone for help. I believed asking for help was a sign of weakness and vulnerability. But, there is strength in vulnerability. We’re often conditioned to never let others see your weaknesses. That school of thought is simply: Ego. Change your mindset. Make an exception.
Besides, asking for help helps you with your conversation skills. You are speaking up for yourself, which is an invaluable skill within itself. Reaching out is a sign of strength and courage.
3. Toughness & Resilience
Staying awake after hours of class and/or work, waiting to catch the bus home, walking home in the dark. Waiting after hours for the tow truck to transport your broken down car to the garage. No more car…guess we’ll have to get creative. Waking up at 3:45am, riding my bike to work in the early morning in the pouring rain uphill with the pitch-black. Working 40 hours per week, starting my work day from 6am-4pm, rinse and repeat. Exercising whenever possible, on little or no sleep. Paychecks/financial aid checks not coming on time when you thought they would, you still have to survive. Paying for gas with pennies and nickels. Praying for your junky car’s frozen engine to start in the winter, if you’re even lucky enough to have a car. Refrigerator, with little or no food. Other times, stuffing grocery bags onto your bike, on the handlebars, balancing, while riding miles home. All of these experiences taught me toughness and resilience.
“By any means necessary”
Trying to come up, and get out of a financial rut is challenging. One must remain mentally strong. This can be achieved by reading books, quotes, watching motivational videos, podcasts, and saying positive affirmations.
“I can do this”
If you are blessed to have a support system, they can help strengthen you. But one cannot rely solely on them, you are your own star player.
4. Organization
Bus schedules, meal prep, calendars, planners, phone notifications, phone numbers, time slots. One must become more organized, or miss precious opportunities presented. I knew the opening & closing times of my local food pantry, going whenever possible. If you missed it…tough luck.
5. Flexibility
Whomever adapts to their environment survives, period. You have to be adaptable and expect the unexpected, and simply, roll with it. You do your best to control what you can, and everything else…embrace it. Shifting your direction and pace to meet the demands of life is a skill, one that is learned firsthand.
6. Thinking On Your Feet
“This happened…OK”
“How can I adapt?”
“What’s a positive in this situation?”
Enough said.
7. The “No Bullshit MODE”
When life isn’t in your favor, one has no time for negative people, time wasting, or unnecessary problems/issues. You are simply trying to survive and climb out of a temporary situation. Distractions must go.
8. Appreciate the Finer Things
One cannot truly appreciate what is without knowing what is not. Life is duality. Opposites. Experiencing contrast in one’s life allows for a complete and full picture of what it has to offer. When times are bright, celebrate. When times are dark, learn from them. Fully embrace the moment, because it won’t last. “This too, shall pass”
9. Spend More Time With Yourself
Music sounds sweeter, clearer, one feels as if the music speaks to you. Your connection to yourself and your surroundings deepens. Simply because, one can feel alone. With the quiet, one can ask themselves the questions they need to ask. Reflection. You notice your habits, patterns, and behaviors. Having that honest conversation with yourself can be exactly what you need. No distractions.
10. Different Ways To Have Fun
Since money isn’t the most abundant and/or you’re trying to save, one can exercise creativity with fun. Friends may invite you to go out, but you know at the back of your mind, you simply can’t spend money you don’t have.
“What are the alternatives?”
Fun on a budget. Catch the matinee movie, go to the park, people watch, look up local events/festivals. Creativity.
11. Work Ethic
Execution. You know you have bills to pay, you have to produce. There is no choice. Get it done. No one cares about excuses. Staying up late, waking up early. People rely on you, and you have to perform. Gut it out if you have to, no stopping. Push.
Embrace & Respect your Grind.
12. Lack of Funds As Fuel
Work Hard, Play Hard.
You know that the harder you work the greater the reward will be. This pushes you, gives you the fuel you need to keep going. One can look at what they want in life and know with dedication, purpose, and commitment it can become a reality. Every year aim to increase your income. The only way is up, there is no going backwards, the boats are burned. Unless external circumstances push you back, you will not accept anything less than ascension. Learn. Earn.
13. Acceptance
Shifting your mindset and looking at your life from a detached 3rd person perspective helps you to accept what is currently happening in your life.
14. You are NOT ALONE
Remember, everything in life in temporary. YOU CAN DO IT. Trust and believe in your journey, and eventually you’ll look back at your life and realize it was all for a reason. Struggle strengthens your character, and develops grit.
Life presents many tests, for you to learn a lesson, to humble you, or to take you to the next level. Never quit. Enjoy every second of this financial rut because you will come out the other side with a new appreciation for value, work, and effort.
Never take anything for granted. Remember your humble beginnings.
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The PersonalDevelopmentBuddha is a Student of Life. Helping you with discovery and self-awareness through ideas, experiences, insights, and knowledge.
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