You are Worth the Investment
Overcoming Scarcity Mindset and Reclaiming Joy
You are worth the investment.
As I contemplated the price of the laptop I was about to purchase, a thought echoed in my mind, "You are worth the investment." I stared at the price tag, reminding myself of my value.
Growing up on food stamps wasn’t necessarily a luxury. However, every time the first or sixteenth of the month rolled around, we celebrated knowing that our cabinets would be filled with an abundance of food. The excitement leading up to those dates was palpable, as it meant we would no longer have to rely on simple meals like "espaguetis con arroz."
As the daughter of immigrants, our dreams were boundless, but our financial resources were limited. My mother desired to enroll me in art programs and have her daughters join the Boys and Girls Club, but affordability always stood as a barrier, leaving me feeling unworthy of such opportunities.
Recently, my eight-year-old laptop broke down, leaving me devastated as I stared at the bleak black screen. Though I had been contemplating its replacement, I found myself hesitating, running away from making the investment. It was then that I realized the lasting effect of growing up underprivileged, even though I am no longer in that same position.
I discovered that the experiences of my impoverished upbringing had shaped a scarcity mindset within me. It affected the way I create, dream, heal, and even think. For years, I struggled to recognize my worth, explore my talents, and invest in things that brought me joy, as I constantly felt undeserving.
Now, as a mother of two year old afro latino boys I find myself in a season of reclaiming my joy. No longer allowing scarcity mindset hold me back, and basking in the abundance that is around me.
I am doing all the things I couldn’t afford in my childhood. I am taking the art classes, going to the concerts, taking trips, going to therapy, and fully investing in the things that bring me joy.
Yet as I glared at the black screen of my eight year old laptop my heart dropped. I was already talking about replacing it, but as the time arrived I found myself running away from the investment.
I clicked the button and immediately closed my eyes. I allowed myself to feel the rush of making a purchase my mother wouldn’t be able to make when I was younger. And spoke truth to myself as guilt immediately followed.
5 Affirmations for Scarcity Mindset:
I am worth the investment.
I deserve to invest in my dreams, talents, and well-being.
I am capable of creating a life of abundance and fulfillment.
I let go of the limiting beliefs that hold me back from experiencing abundance.
I trust that there is enough for me and those around me.
Struggle is not the theme of my story.
Weekly Love Dose::
Listen: A song that resonates
Broke - Lecrae
Reflect: Mindful Art Journal Prompt (I will share mine on our private thread be sure to join)
- Using watercolor/color pencils create a representation of scarcity on your paper. Allow your intuition to guide you as you choose colors, shapes, and patterns. This piece coul be abstract or literal, whatever resonates. As you paint take note of the feelings that arise, aknowledge your fears, and limiting beliefs but do not judge or criticize yourself.
- Once you feel satisfied with your representation of scarcity, pause for a moment, take a few deep breaths. Shift your focus now towards gratitude and abundance. Choose a different set of colors, think vibrant, bright, or even soothing. Begin to introduce these colors into your artwork gradually transforming your piece from scarcity to abundance.
- Journal Question: Do you focus on what you have or what you lack?
What goals or inspirations do you have that are influenced by scarcity mindset?
Remember:
You are worth the investment.
As we go about our week, I encourage you to invest in yourself. Invest in your health. Invest in your dreams. Invest in your joy. Invest in your peace. Invest in your healing. Because you are worth it.
I would love to hear about your story. Do you struggle with scarcity mindset? What are some common fears or beliefs that perpetuate scarcity thinking? Do you struggle with acknowledging your worth? I’ll see you in the comments!
Perfect timing! I found myself hesitating to purchase tickets to a yoga class despite saying for months I long to return to the practice. I'll be repeating “I am worth the investment” as I secure my spot in tomorrow's class. Thank you for this 💗
My wife and I talk about this a lot. Today she purchased a Dyson vacuum. . Before she pressed purchased - she had to do so much mental, not financial gymnastics. We have to remind ourselves that not only we are worth the investment we are also deserving of all things good!