Overcoming a Scarcity Mindset

Hello, abundance my new friend...

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A huge part of my work involves coaching my clients through the feelings of anxiety or scarcity that inevitably crop up as part of the home or life editing process. As someone whose brain is wired to leap right to scarcity (what if it ALL goes away?!), I have also personally worked very, very hard on this.

A scarcity mindset is a pattern of thinking that focuses on lack, and is rooted in the belief that there are limited resources.

In contrast, an abundance mindset is an attitude of optimism that concludes there is more than enough of everything to go around.

So, how can we learn to overcome a scarcity mindset, especially if we have experienced trauma, loss, or hardship in the past? I believe the answer lies in actively looking for evidence of abundance in your life and practicing thoughts, or beliefs, that create feelings of abundance.

Keep reading for simple steps you can take to start feeling more abundant in your life, regardless of your past, what you own, or how much money you have in the bank.

Practice Abundant Thoughts

Repeat after me: abundance is a mindset, not a dollar amount in the bank.

Here’s how I know: I work with actual billionaires who are always worried that all of their wealth is going to disappear, and I have clients and friends who live on a super modest salary and fully embody abundance, generosity, and contentment.

Regardless of the circumstances in your life, you can feel more abundant right now just by practicing new thoughts.

Here are some of the thoughts that help me feel more abundant:

• Even if I lost everything, I am surrounded by people who would help me rebuild my home and life.

• I am resilient and strong, and I have bounced back from many challenges.

• I am creative and resourceful, so I will always be able to earn money.

• I can make a beautiful, cozy home wherever I land.

• Almost every object or thing is replaceable.

• The things that matter most to me are not things.

Prompt: What are a few thoughts you can practice to feel more abundant right now? Tip: The thoughts have to be authentically believable or they won’t take root.

Give Generously

It’s counterintuitive, but one of the easiest ways to feel more abundant is to give generously. Generosity and abundance go hand in hand, and the more you give, the more abundant you will feel.

Giving doesn’t have to translate into large financial donations or lavish gifts. You can give just by smiling and saying hello to people on your morning walk. You can bake cookies or drop off a home cooked meal for a friend or neighbor. You can call an old friend and really listen to how they are doing. You can leave an extra generous tip when you order takeout at your neighborhood restaurant.

Being generous with your resources, time, and energy reinforces the idea that you have more than enough.

Take Stock of What You Already Have

It’s human nature to strive for more, but if you want to cultivate an abundant mindset you must also focus your energy and attention on noticing and celebrating the abundance of what you already have. You can start by making a list of all of the things that you once wanted and now have. This list can include material possessions such as your car, home, clothes, or even your favorite ceramic mugs.

You can also include relationships or accomplishments – your partner or spouse, children, friendships, family members, career, daily yoga practice, health, etc. The more specific the better. The idea is to focus more on what you already have than on what you might be missing.

Don’t Compare and Despair

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to an abundant mindset is comparing yourself to other people. It’s so easy to compare our insides to someone else’s outsides, and the glossy images on social media and magazine pages doesn’t make it any easier. Do your best to stay focused on your own situation and to create your own metrics for happiness and success that feel good to you no matter what or how anyone else is doing (or pretending they’re doing). Take time to define what an abundant life means to you and then go out and get it.

Set Goals and Achieve Them

Abundance doesn’t have to come from wealth or material possessions. You can cultivate abundance in your life by setting specific and measurable goals and achieving them. Learn a new language, start a new habit, establish a fitness routine, master something, make something, create something. Leading a joyful, varied, and dynamic life creates abundance in spades. Take small steps towards long term goals and celebrate every little victory along the way - abundantly!

Do More of What You Love

Abundance is about feeling deeply satisfied and fulfilled. Make a list of things you love to do – ideally things that feel mentally, physically, or spiritually rewarding. These things can be small and simple like reading a novel or baking a pie, or big and ambitious like running a marathon or writing a book. Pay attention to what you genuinely enjoy doing and do more of it.

If any of this feels challenging for you, not to worry. You’re in good company. Cultivating an abundant mindset is an ongoing practice that gets easier with time. The most important thing, of course, is to start.

Partial Excerpt from Minimalista published by Penguin Random House; photography by Vivian Johnson