It’s tough out there, especially when you feel all you can do is survive. A lot of us out there are in survival mode at the moment.
Living on a tight budget can feel exhausting, especially when you’re trying to enjoy life with little money.
I went from barely affording a roof over my head to now just being able to pay the bills. However, I’ve noticed a mindset change since I’m back at work. I’ve started to feel like I don’t have enough. The problem I’m facing is that you don’t want to feel like that’s all life is, working to survive.
You don’t want to look back and think – cool, all I did was work.
But at the same time, you can’t afford to go and do those sorts of things because you have little money once the bills are paid. So, you end up having this internal battle with yourself about what you desire vs what you can actually do.
This financial tension often leads to burnout and emotional exhaustion. But there are still ways to enjoy life on a budget without spending more than you can afford.
It makes it harder when you feel the external pressure to travel or have kids, and you think to yourself, how can I afford to do those things, when the most you can do from work is survive?
The pressure to “keep up” can make it even harder to embrace a simple lifestyle or practice financial mindfulness.
Many people in their 20s and 30s are experiencing the same thing: the cost of living is rising, but wages aren’t keeping up.
It is a harsh reality.
You spend your time thinking of potential side hustles or ways to get more money at work, but several months ago, I found buying groceries was difficult. If you didn’t know, I lost my job just before Christmas and learning how to navigate unemployment has had its challenges. Coping with job loss and managing money stress is overwhelming. But through it, I learned a lot about frugal living and how to make the most of a limited income.
It’s a weird mindset change from feeling grateful to feeling like you don’t have enough.
I think when you’re working, putting in those hours, and waking up tired each morning, you want something more to show for it than just paying the bills. Even small wins matter – like finding free activities, planning a low-cost weekend, or enjoying things that don’t have a price tag. You want to enjoy life, especially the time you have when you’re away from work.
But it’s easy to forget that when we’re working, that work is not given. Having a roof over our head and food on the table isn’t an option for some people.
I think there are other ways to enjoy life that don’t include the big-ticket items. To find joy in little things that are free or cost less.
We end up in this rat race to show everyone that we’re making it, or our hard work is paying off.
We forget that having the basics paid for is a big deal. Those are big-ticket items that some people would dream of paying comfortably. Instead of aiming for more, can we learn to appreciate a minimalist lifestyle and celebrate financial stability, even when it feels small?
When you only focus on what you don’t have, it clouds your mind – making you feel like you have nothing.
One of the hardest parts of having little money is the “shame” that comes with it. You feel like you should be further ahead, and you’re failing in some way. What I’ve come to realise is that struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re navigating this season of your life with resilience.
The likes of Instagram and TikTok don’t make it any easier. We scroll endlessly of people travelling, not grinding at a 9-5, seamlessly living carefree lives. We start to believe that we’re behind or not living enough. But what we see online is carefully curated; it’s not a true reflection of our everyday life. Comparing our reality to these filtered moments is not fair to ourselves.
That’s why it’s important to redefine what success looks like to you. Maybe it isn’t about materialistic things, maybe it’s about finding time for yourself or smiling even when things feel hard. These quiet wins often go unseen, but they matter.
Lately, I’ve started to lean into small, daily rituals that bring me peace. Walking my dog, a warm cup of tea and listening to music that calms my mind. It doesn’t cost me anything but helps me reconnect to what matters.
And maybe that’s what enjoying life on a low income looks like – taking care of your peace, focusing on what you can do, and finding little moments of joy wherever you can. There’s no shame in living simply. You’re doing more than you think.
Below are some other ways to help you feel like you can do more than just survive –
- If you have a savings goal, no matter how small, start contributing to it. Don’t think about how long it will take; just let it build in the background.
- Change what you say. Instead of saying I can’t afford it, say I’m working towards it.
- Is there anything that gives you joy that costs less? Nature hike or playing board games? Something that takes your mind off the heavy stuff and lets you enjoy your time.
- Limit social media – take some time away from it. Influencers aren’t relatable; they are outliers. So many of us will work daily, not vacationing in the Bahamas, promoting a brand.
It is tough out there, but remember to be grateful for what you have because you don’t know when it could be taken away.
Whether you’re learning to live, trying to save money with a low income, or just trying to get by – please know you’re not alone.
One day at a time.
Keep shining,
Madeline
youdeservetoshine.blog 