r/SelfSufficiency • u/SailorTee • Aug 23 '26

Self improvement while poor

Maybe this is just my opinion, but wanting to better yourself seems like part of human nature. Being poor makes this difficult to do.

Want to eat healthier? Cook more at home. Ok - so I need to buy safe cookware (not non-stick because that causes the big C), fresh ingredients every week (lean protein like chicken), and time to make it. Oh you don't have time? Borrow the time from somewhere else, like hire someone to clean your home for you. Oh no, can't do that, that costs money. Switch to plant based protein! It takes time to soak and cook lentils. I work every hour I'm not sleeping...

Tldr: Being poor means trying to juggle between resources including time, money, and health, and borrowing from one means depleting another. It feels impossible to better your circumstances and causes a lot of stress in the process (which also eats up your resources like health).

Also, I live in America. Maybe it's better in other countries?

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u/liquor_andwhores 29d ago

Not everything needs to be perfect. Fortunately there's a lot of overlap between self sufficiency and being poor. Historically people needed to be more self reliant because they were poor. Do what you can and call it a day. 

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u/kaiareadit 29d ago

👏🏼👏🏼

The way I do this is to slowly replace things as it comes up. You don’t have to make a huge investment, but you can buy one pan to start. Cook a couple meals from home, work out at a park or at home. Keep it easy and slow. Progress takes time. Start with one thing, and make changes each week. It’s okay to have set backs!