Less is more

Let’s be honest, today’s economy leaves a lot to be desired. Recent law school graduates are unable to find jobs, college graduates are working in retail stores, and 25 year olds are unable to afford their own apartments.  We did everything right, everything we were supposed to and yet we feel like we are at a standstill. Life doesn’t seem to be going our way and our lives are vastly different from what we had envisioned.

Truth is, it stinks.

Personally, there are days when I feel as though I was duped. This is not how I had pictured my life to be at this point in my life.  During the late night study sessions when I desperately wanted to throw my Clinical Pathophysiology notes out the window, I would remind myself that someday, someday this would be worth it.  My hard work and dedication would pay off… in a big way.

Someday…
I wouldn’t have to drive a used dented car, I would have a SUV.
I wouldn’t have to live in my friend’s basement or in my parent’s house, I’d have a large home of my own.
I wouldn’t have to buy used clothes for my children, I’d be able to buy new clothes … for full price.
I wouldn’t have to have “staycations,” I’d be able to go on glorious tropical vacations.

I still hope that someday, these dreams will become our reality, but when I think about it, really think about it, were my expectations reasonable?

So many of us are suffering financially as a result of the poor economy. Unfortunately, for many of us, our pride is also suffering. We planned on different, we planned on more, and we planned on better. We’ve had to ask for help, in the form of advice, money, childcare, etc.  It can be terribly humiliating, sucking up your pride and admitting you need help, especially when you had planned on so much more.

But whatever made us 20-somethings think we are entitled to such a lavish lifestyle? Is it really reasonable to expect a 4 bedroom new home, a SUV and two vacations a year in your 20’s? Since when did making less than $65,000 a year constitute as insufficient?  I surely wasn’t raised in that lifestyle and my parents certainly didn’t have that sort of financial security in their 20’s. Unfortunately, it seems as though many of us still strive for these materialistic goals and we live above our means in order to have what we think we deserve.

I’m ashamed to admit that many times, I find myself playing the dangerous game, “Keeping up with the Jones’.”  I compare my lifestyle to my friends, neighbors, family members and even more embarrassingly, complete strangers (whose lives I have followed through their beautiful blogs).  I turn green with envy as I admire their beautiful homes, their rust-free cars, modern electronics, amazing parties, and beautiful pictures from their most recent travels.  When the big green monster of jealousy attacks, I lose all sight of the blessings I do have in my life and I focus on the ‘wants’ and ‘wish I had’s’ rather than the ‘I’m so lucky’s.”
 
But I’m trying, really trying to focus on the non-materialistic blessings in my life. Isn’t that what the recession should be teaching us young adults? To not live above your means and to simplify your life? Isn’t that what we should be teaching our children?

I was raised on ‘less is more.’

I was raised on simple.

I have never been on a cruise, I didn’t have a pool in my backyard, I didn’t have a TV or phone in my room, I didn’t have video games, I didn’t wear expensive clothes…

We went camping.
We played kickball and tag with the neighbor kids.
I wore jeans with holes in the knees and hand me downs.
I had dinner with my family every.single.night.
I played with finger paint.
Our fridge was covered in coloring book pages.
I played dress up.
I had imaginary friends (okay, they were imaginary cats…)
I built castles out of blocks.
I would lose myself in books and let my imagination reveal the story as it played in my head.