Thoughts on Poverty

Sometimes I consider myself poor. We have a smaller income than the rest of my family. Much smaller.
We have a smaller income than the majority of our friends and acquaintances.

This doesn't make me feel like less of a person - I'm not one to judge others by the size of their wallet.

But over the years, I've held a mindset that says "If only we had more money........"

It's almost become an excuse for me not doing things around the house.

In all the changes that have happened here in the last 6 months, the "If only we had enough money to......." has changed itself around in my head. I can't work any more hours than I am working. I just physically can't do it. I'm driving 12 hours week to get to 45 hours a week of work. I have a day off with the family on Sundays (although I would do a market if there was one!) and I have a day when I got to spinning with my group (although I am kinda working then too because I always sell stock and take orders).

With these changes, the "If only we had enough money" has turned into "what can I do to GET more money". And the limiting factor of "nothing!" has made me feel inadequate again.


But there's more to it than that. Because my definition of 'poor' has changed. Instead of being "I wish we had enough money to" it's become "I wish we had the money so I didn't have to work so much"

Funny how the things I once thought we needed/wanted, have because superceded by the desire to just NOT WORK SO DAMN MUCH.

On a side note. My shed has had a deposit paid. The plan is to be submitted to council on Tuesday. Once it is here, then I might get a loungeroom back. That would be awesome.

I should add to the end of this post that I am more than well aware that the 'poor' that I'm talking about here is not, in the true scheme of the world, poor at all. That we have a house and cars and furniture, we have electricity and heat and clothing and food and we will never have to feel hunger or go without. That we are, in a more true sense of the word, rich beyond many people's imaginings. This post is coming from a place of white, australian priviledge. I can't apologise for that, because this is where I live.

If comparing my own circumstances to those around me who have more and labelling myself poor is offensive to those who have experienced true poverty, I do apologise. It is not my intention to cause offense.