People Who Were Raised With Very Little But Never Felt Poor Usually Had 10 Things Money Couldn't Buy
Sergey Toronto | Shutterstock Many of us spent our childhood with parents who survived paycheck-to-paycheck. And while we might not have had the newest shoes or latest gadgets we had something far more valuable, things money can't buy.
Did it stink not being able to go on Disney trips every summer? Absolutely. But those trips don't make a person who they are. Materialistic possessions feel good in the moment, but the connections people make have a lasting impact.
People who were raised with little but never felt poor had 10 things that money just can't buy
1. A sense of belonging
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Did they have the most expensive car on the block? No. But people who never felt poor when they were home with their families had something far better.
With their strong-knit family by their side, folks never felt like they didn't belong. Even if they argued, they always made up at the end of the day. It wasn't easy, but their sense of belonging was priceless.
When kids have an emotionally safe place to land at the end of a stressful school day or when the world feels overwhelming, they feel more secure. Even adolescents have been found to experience greater well-being when they feel they belong, something not even a millionaire could buy.
2. Incredible problem-solving skills
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Most people weren't taught how to be resourceful. This goes double if they grew up spoiled or surrounded by a ton of wealth. They simply didn't need to learn how to save money or find economical solutions to big problems.
Unfortunately, folks who aren't resourceful will always fall first. Life doesn't spare anyone, after all. One minute you're rich, the next minute you're pinching pennies.
This is why people raised with little lowkey won the lottery as far as life skills go. They might not have a million bucks, but they know how to take care of themselves if need be.
3. Family rituals
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There are many families who just aren't tight-knit. While it was common for people with little to gather around the dinner table every night or play games together, the same can't be said for the ultra-wealthy. A
ccording to a study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, people with higher incomes spent less time socializing and more time alone. And if they did socialize, they spent more time with friends and less time with family.
Because of this, low-income people have something the ultra-wealthy could never have: family rituals. The ultra-wealthy might roll their eyes, but family is everything. They're the people we lean on when we're down and the people we create our most special memories with.
This is why family rituals are priceless. It might not be a huge celebration on a yacht, but family traditions will always be near and dear to people's hearts.
4. People who showed up for them
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Not everyone has a strong support system. While wealthy people show off their expensive shopping sprees, being wealthy can be a lonely road. Everyone is chasing riches, and using others for status is all too common. This is why people who grew up with very little are so lucky in their way.
You might not have been able to eat steak every night, but you had people in your corner. It didn't matter how much trouble you were in. Without fail, your loved ones were there for you every single time.
5. A unique air of authenticity
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No shade to wealthy people, but authenticity and wealth rarely go together. No tea, but wealthy people are often lowkey fake. Because they're too focused on portraying an unrealistic image of themselves, they don't know who they are anymore. While poor people grew up being accepted by friends and family, wealthy people were forced to play a role.
Faking it until they made it, it's no wonder they're miserable. Authenticity is linked to well-being. Well-being is correlated to how happy we are. So, if folks aren't honest with themselves, they probably aren't living their best life.
6. A strong sense of identity
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They might not have been raised with a lot, but they often have a strong sense of identity. Like Dolly Parton, these people don't forget where they came from, and the history and struggles of their people inform who they are throughout the rest of their lives, whether or not they get rich later.
This is why they're so much happier than people who were born into wealth. Knowing where you come from and the strength of a community that fights its way through adversity are irreplaceable gifts. Not only do these gifts make them more knowledgeable, but they guide them as they grow in life.
7. Gratitude
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How many people are actually grateful? If you were to ask the average person, they might say they are, but when it boils down to it, only people raised with little know what it means to be grateful.
Sorry, but gratitude isn't a behavior you pick up automatically. The most innately grateful people grew up having very little and succeeded because they knew how to use what they had and be grateful they had it.
With their worn-out clothes and their hand-me-down books, they didn't have much. On Holidays, their families struggled, and on birthdays, they didn't get much. But despite all that, their spirit never faded. Like a soothing balm, a dose of gratitude makes people happier.
8. A contagious passion for life
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Very rarely do we meet people who charm us authentically, even when the cameras are off and there's nothing to be gained. Finding people who know how to dazzle an IRL crowd has become a rarity.
Thankfully, people who grew up with little don't need to worry, as they have pretty contagious personalities. They had to in order to succeed despite the challenges they faced.
They grew up struggling and know what it feels like to feel hopeless. But despite all that, they came out more resilient on the other side. This is why their gratitude and joy is so contagious.
9. A deep understanding of what actually matters
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Most wealthy people lose sight of what actually matters. Too caught up chasing the next big thrill, they neglect what life has to offer. It isn't just money that makes life beautiful. While it's undoubtedly important, the way we connect with others is crucial to our well-being.
As Berkeley Executive Education writes, "Our relationships impact all dimensions of our well-being" and that's why relationships shouldn't be brushed aside. Family, friends, coworkers- it's all the same. On a human level, we need ultimate connection to thrive.
10. Emotional resilience
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Emotional resilience comes from experiencing challenges and finding ways to overcome them. It's like a muscle you flex, and unfortunately wealthy people often grew up totally sheltered from those challenges.
As a result too many wealthy people crumble at inconveniences while people born with little don't break a sweat. Because they worked hard their whole lives, they know what it feels like to be stressed and it doesn't phase them. They know it'll pass and that's the real secret to inner strength.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's degree in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, family, and astrology topics.
