I’m grateful for first world problems
I love the personal finance blog arena. I like the interactions with everyone I have met and the personal growth I’ve gotten out of carving out my own little niche in it. I like reading about everyone’s plans, different risk tolerances, different priorities and even worries and concerns. It’s really easy to focus on our own lives and get stressed out about a bad work situation, a bad commute, debts, the stock market instability, and everything else that goes along with life.
Reading all these great blogs out there reminds me there are a lot of people going through the same things I am, and it’s nice having people that share a common goal – even though we all have our own plans on how to get there.
Over the weekend, I was thinking about the past year and how much things have changed, especially in relation to our own goals and priorities. With Mrs. SSC starting to apply for her job(s) this week and how a layoff would affect our lives, for better or worse, I was reminded that the majority of these worries are all first world problems. It made me really grateful for being in the position that I am and my family is.
It just made me think that I’m grateful that my biggest worry isn’t that someone will be invading my town and persecuting me and my family because our beliefs aren’t the same as theirs. I’m grateful that I’m not stressing out trying to get my family out of our home country to anyplace else because it’s safer. I’m grateful that there isn’t a civil war going on in my country and I have no way to escape it. I’m grateful I have food, fresh water, and electricity at the flip of a switch. I’m also grateful that everyone in my family is currently healthy.
If my biggest concerns are about traffic, whether or not my investments will increase soon enough to leave work sooner than “planned”, and whether or not we’ll remain a dual income household much longer, I think I’m doing okay. There are a lot of things going on in the world that make all my problems seem trivial. While it may not seem like it at the time, they kind of are pretty trivial in the bigger scheme of things. And for that, I’m grateful.
In our hectic go-go-go lives, I find it’s good sometimes to stop and just take 30 seconds to realize all of the great stuff going on in our lives. For me, it makes me feel very fortunate to be in the position I am, and for all the opportunities I’ve had to get to where I am today.
Our Next Life
September 8, 2015What a beautiful post. So lovely to read this healthy, grounded perspective, and to know that you’re not getting swept up in the ever-present first-world drama! You guys are doing great by any measure, and though I’m sure there are still day-to-day stresses, I’m so glad that you see the big picture. Great for us all to keep in mind!
Mr SSC
September 9, 2015Thanks! It’s easy to get caught up in the little things, and then you see the news from people in other parts of the world and have to step back and think – what the heck and I worrying about?!
But, I still have lots of worries, so that doesn’t fix it by any means. It does provide a grounding sense of where we are in the big picture though.
Caron
September 9, 2015Great post! Whenever I find myself stressed or grumbling, I remind myself that millions of people would love to have my “problems”. Taking stock of your blessings, large and small, really helps keep things in perspective 🙂
Mr SSC
September 9, 2015That’s another good way to think about it. I’m sure a lot of people would love to have my “problems” versus what they are going through.
Claudia @ Two Cup House
September 10, 2015I try to end each day with what I’m thankful for, but I’m not always successful. It’s easy to get caught up in what we think are “problems.” Thanks for the reminder to stay grounded.
Mr SSC
September 11, 2015That’s a good approach. I’ve tried to be mindful and do that as well, at the end of the day, but it never turned into a habit.
Prudence Debtfree
September 11, 2015That photo of the little Syrian boy who drowned has made us all stop and recognize everything of value that we have. The refugee crisis right now is so huge – I can only absorb so much of it. Wouldn’t those people fleeing for their lives in boats unfit for travel love to have as their only worries the commute hassles and technology glitches that are our “problems”.
Mr SSC
September 12, 2015Yeah, that was a gut wrenching picture. It makes our problems just pale in comparison to what so many are going through right now in Syria as well as other parts of the world.
Generations Thrift Store
September 12, 2015It’s easy to get bummed about our personal situations but, like you said, if you take a look at the big picture, things aren’t so bad!
Just found your blog and I’ve certainly enjoyed reading your posts!
Mr SSC
September 12, 2015Glad you are enjoying the posts. It’s easy to get perspective skewed sometimes and harder to take a moment and realize things aren’t so bad.
Dividend Diatribes
September 12, 2015Loved the post! A nice reminder to keep things in perspective.
Mr SSC
September 12, 2015Thanks, glad you liked it!
Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor
September 16, 2015I really appreciate this post. Gratitude and contentment go such a long way in a happy life, financially and otherwise. I just returned from India where I saw some third-world problems first-hand, and it has also made me grateful for my first-world problems. I’m just hoping I can keep this perspective over time.