Even though the United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, people still cannot escape the staggering effects of living in poverty. With 12% of Americans living at or below the established poverty line—almost half of them being children—it’s more important than ever to keep from taking the things we have for granted. Here are 21 life lessons that we can take from living in poverty.
1. Sharing Is Caring
We all rolled our eyes when our teachers and parents would say this, but sharing and ensuring everyone’s needs are met is one of the most valuable lessons we can take away from childhood and poverty.
2. Gratitude Goes a Long Way
Seeing photos of people who still have a smile on their faces despite living in poverty is always astonishing. Being grateful for what you have, no matter how much or how little, is a lesson worth learning.
3. Ration Your Resources
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” isn’t just a catchy slogan—it’s a smart way to approach life respectfully and sustainably. By making the most of your resources and repurposing what you can, you can save some cash while doing good for the planet.
4. It’s Okay to Ask For Help
Being vulnerable is hard for everyone, especially if you’re in a situation that you feel may bring judgment upon you, like the financial hardship that comes along with poverty. Knowing when to ask for help gets you the help you need when you need it and teaches you humility.
5. Know How to Cut Costs
Nothing will teach you how to live frugally like living in poverty. When you aren’t sure where your next meal will come from, you quickly realize the importance of managing your money to ensure your most important needs are met.
6. Invest in Experiences
Giving and receiving gifts is great, but coming up with a fun activity to do with your loved ones or simply planning to spend time with them may create memories that last longer than any gift.
7. Good Health Is a Gift
Especially in the United States, having access to high-quality healthcare and being in good health are all things we take for granted. Being unwell is expensive, so if you’re healthy, that’s a valuable resource in and of itself.
8. It’s the Little Things
When you don’t know how you’ll afford to keep your lights on, trivial things simply hold less value. Finding happiness in “the little things” is likely to give you a whole different perspective on life.
9. Be Patient
The best things come to those who wait. While this isn’t always the case, in a world where we thrive on instant gratification, struggling with poverty will teach you that you simply can’t have everything you want when you want it.
10. Practice Humility
Many preach humility, but few put it into practice. Having very few belongings and struggling to make ends meet is a humbling experience. You don’t need to give everything away, but try to be aware of what you really need to live a full life.
11. Understand the Value of Hard Work
Even with a plethora of resources at our disposal, no one is guaranteed success. For that, you have to be willing to put in effort toward your goals. Many people who’ve lived in poverty have worked less-desirable jobs for often less-desirable pay to help them make ends meet.
12. Learn to Be Handy
Hiring someone else to do things for you—especially things you don’t want to do—is one of the most luxurious privileges enjoyed by the wealthy. When you’re struggling to make ends meet, you will quickly learn how to do many household tasks yourself.
13. Never Compare Plates
Learning to be happy with what you have is one of the most important lessons to be learned from poverty. Don’t look at another person’s plate to see if you have more, and don’t judge them for having less.
14. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Sometimes it’s the little things that we let work against us the most. Picking your battles and being selective about where you direct your energy is vital for self-preservation. If things don’t go your way, shake it off and start over.
15. Knowledge Is Power
Knowledge is not merely measured by education or financial success—you gain “smarts” from your environment and life experiences, among other things. It’s often these non-traditional kinds of learning or awareness that get us the furthest in life.
16. Being Poor Is Common
One of the most important life lessons to take away from poverty is the truth about poverty itself: It’s commonplace all over the country. While there is a significant stigma associated with being poor, more people are one paycheck away from being homeless than you realize. Be kind to those around you.
17. Never Forget Where You Came From
For those who have been fortunate enough to escape poverty, remembering their previous experiences with financial and societal struggles is often a constant reminder and motivation. Remembering your roots is important for humility.
18. Notice Who Sticks Around
Pay attention to who’s by your side when you’re doing well. If they make themselves scarce as soon as things get tough, they may not have the best intentions. Real friends will stick by you no matter how much wealth you have—or don’t have.
19. Nothing Lasts Forever
Nothing—not money, not belongings, not events, and not even some friendships and relationships—lasts forever. When you live life while keeping this in mind, you can enjoy the positives while still being prepared for the worst.
20. Be Proud of Yourself
While humility is an important virtue and personality trait, pride in yourself is just as important. Being alive can be challenging even when things are going well. Give yourself the proper kudos for your accomplishments. You deserve it!
21. Don’t Give Up
When you are living in poverty, choosing to wake up every day and fight to survive takes strength. No matter what you are going through, persistence is the key to making it through. When things start to feel too heavy, take a deep breath and push through. Nothing is permanent.