We’re Not Asking for Luxury. We’re Asking to Live.
Let’s talk about what’s really happening.
Because I’m not going to sit here and pretend everything is wonderful when so many people are struggling just to get through another week.
We are living in a time when working hard doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting ahead. You can get up every morning, go to work, put in your hours, come home exhausted, and still find yourself wondering how you’re going to make everything stretch until the next paycheck.
And that’s a hard reality to accept.
We’re not talking about people trying to live extravagant lifestyles. We’re talking about people trying to keep a roof over their heads, food in their refrigerators, gas in their cars, and their bills paid.
When did simply living become so expensive?
You go grocery shopping and spend more than you planned, yet somehow come home with less than you expected.
You pay your rent or mortgage, your utilities, your insurance, your transportation expenses, and whatever else life throws at you.
Then you look at what’s left.
Sometimes there isn’t much.
Sometimes there isn’t anything.
And sometimes you’re already worrying about next week before you’ve even finished this one.
That’s the truth.
The Emotional Cost of Just Getting By
We talk a lot about mental health and emotional wellness, but we need to talk more about the conditions people are living under.
Because how are you supposed to feel relaxed when you’re constantly worried about money?
How are you supposed to sleep peacefully when you’re wondering whether you can cover an unexpected expense?
How are you supposed to enjoy the weekend when you’re mentally calculating what you can and cannot afford to do?
And let’s be clear about something.
Not every financial struggle is the result of somebody making bad decisions.
Sometimes people are doing everything they reasonably can, and the numbers still don’t add up.
We have to stop acting as though everybody who’s struggling simply needs to work harder or learn how to budget.
Some people are already working multiple jobs.
Some are caring for children, parents, or family members while managing their own responsibilities.
Some have cut out practically every extra expense they can think of.
And they’re still struggling.
That’s not a conversation we should be afraid to have.
Women Are Carrying So Much
As women, many of us already carry responsibilities that people don’t always see.
We’re working, managing households, caring for loved ones, making appointments, keeping track of expenses, and trying to make sure everybody has what they need.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, we’re supposed to find time to take care of ourselves.
But let’s be realistic.
Sometimes you’re not in the mood for another self-care suggestion.
Sometimes you don’t want somebody telling you to take a bubble bath, meditate, or think positive.
Sometimes you want to know why you work so hard and still can’t breathe financially.
Sometimes you’re angry.
Sometimes you’re scared.
And sometimes you’re simply tired.
Those feelings deserve to be acknowledged, not covered up with another inspirational quote.
The Country We’re Living In
I know I’m not the only person looking around and wondering where we’re headed.
There’s so much uncertainty about the economy, the future, and whether things are going to become more manageable for ordinary families.
And when you’re already stretched financially, the thought of living with that uncertainty for another year or two can feel overwhelming.
People want stability.
They want to feel secure in their homes.
They want to know that if they work hard, they’ll be able to take care of themselves and the people they love.
They want to have something left over to enjoy life.
That shouldn’t be an unreasonable expectation.
We can have different political beliefs and still recognize that financial insecurity takes a toll on people’s well-being.
This isn’t about telling anyone what to think.
It’s about refusing to ignore what people are living through.
And Now Here Come the Holidays
November is here.
Thanksgiving is approaching, followed by a season that can bring joy, togetherness, memories, and plenty of financial pressure.
For some families, the question isn’t how beautifully they’re going to decorate the house.
It’s how much the holiday meal will cost.
It’s whether they can afford gifts.
It’s whether they can travel to see family.
It’s whether there’s enough money to get through the season without starting the new year in even more debt.
And for women grieving loved ones, dealing with family changes, or facing the holidays for the first time without someone they love, the emotional weight may be even greater.
We need to make room for those realities, too.
Nobody should feel ashamed because their holiday table looks different this year.
Nobody should feel pressured to spend money they don’t have to prove how much they love their family.
And nobody should feel that they’re failing because life is harder than they expected.
So What Do We Do With All of This?
I’m not going to pretend I have a magical solution.
I don’t.
And I’m not going to tell you that drinking tea, lighting a candle, or writing down three things you’re grateful for will suddenly make your financial problems disappear.
They won’t.
Real problems require real solutions.
But while we’re trying to figure things out, we cannot completely abandon ourselves.
We still need sleep.
We still need connection.
We still need moments when we’re not carrying the weight of everything that’s wrong.
And we need to be able to talk openly about what we’re experiencing without somebody immediately telling us to be more positive.
Sometimes protecting your peace means being honest about what is threatening it.
Sometimes it means asking for help.
Sometimes it means setting limits on what you can financially and emotionally take on.
And sometimes it simply means admitting, I’m tired of living like this, and I want something better.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting better.
As We Begin November
I hope this month brings some relief to people who desperately need it.
I hope families find ways to support one another.
I hope the conversations we’re having about affordability, opportunity, and our future lead to meaningful changes.
And I hope we remember that behind every conversation about the economy, there are actual people trying to live their lives.
Women.
Men.
Parents.
Grandparents.
People working full-time.
People working two jobs.
People who have given decades of their lives to working and are wondering what retirement might look like.
People who are tired of surviving and want an opportunity to actually enjoy being alive.
We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for a life we can afford to live.
And until things get better, we have to keep looking out for one another, speaking honestly, and refusing to measure our worth by what’s left in our bank accounts.
At Still Becoming Wellness, I don’t want us pretending life is perfect.
I want us having conversations that are honest, sometimes uncomfortable, but always rooted in compassion.
Because wellness isn’t just about what we do to take care of ourselves.
It’s also about understanding what we’re up against.
And right now, a lot of people are up against more than they should have to carry.
So if you’re feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or exhausted, I hear you.
You don’t have to pretend otherwise here.
No shame. No judgment. No pretending.
With love,
Sharonda Lynn
Still Becoming Wellness
Mind | Body | Menopause | Self
A Moment of Reflection
As we begin this new month, I’d love for you to think about this:
What has been the hardest part of navigating today’s cost of living, and how has it affected your emotional well-being?
And perhaps more importantly:
What would feeling financially secure and genuinely at peace look like for you?
You deserve to have an answer to that question that goes beyond simply getting through another week.
0 comments