Would you consider yourself to be a “glass half empty” type of person? If so, you could be living with a scarcity mindset, which studies indicate can lead to chronic fear, stress, and anxiety. Or is there a discrepancy with how you think about money and your bank account? I see this one come up frequently at my practice and with a lot of the clients I see.
This perspective is the belief that resources – like time, money, knowledge, or love – are inherently limited. And when this kind of thinking takes hold, it can lead to behaviors like hoarding, overworking, or competing excessively with others. Today’s blog breaks down what the scarcity mindset looks like, where it comes from and how you can begin shifting toward a healthier perspective.
What Does the Scarcity Mindset Look Like?
Just like any kind of thought pattern, this one exists on a spectrum – and it’s past the point of frugality or being extra careful with your resources.
Common characteristics of scarcity include:
- Catastrophizing – You expect the worst in most situations.
- Fear of Loss – You worry that what you have could disappear at any moment.
- Tunnel Vision – You focus on what’s missing, rather than what’s present or possible.
- Hoarding Resources – You feel like you always need to be saving – time, money, or even affection – just in case.
- Comparison to Others – You measure your success, happiness, or security against someone else’s.
Essentially, when left unchecked, these characteristics can become all-consuming. And over time, they can create a cycle of stress and self-doubt that can be difficult (but possible) to unlearn.
What Causes the Scarcity Mindset?
While there’s no single trigger, several common experiences can lead to this way of thinking, some include:
Childhood experiences
If you grew up in an environment where resources were scarce or uncertain, your brain could be wired to stay in survival mode. Or if your grew up in a household where money was talked about in unhealthy ways.
Social rankings
In the age of social media, it can be easy to fall into comparison traps. But as they say, “comparison is the thief of joy,” and by becoming too involved with other people’s highlight reels, you could be hurting yourself. Opposed to thinking about how you wish you could be doing something like that, think to yourself about being happy for that person to have that experience and remind yourself that you get to do fun experiences too.
Economic uncertainty
When money feels tight, it might feel like you need to start rationing your other resources to regain a sense of control. And while this can be a natural instinct, it can also cause harm to your relationships, daily habits and your quality of life.
Steps to Overcoming Limited Thinking
People often compare a scarcity mindset with an abundance mindset. Shifting to the latter takes time and intentional effort. Start with these small steps to work towards an abundance mindset:
- Practice gratitude – Pause every day to notice what’s going well and appreciate what you already have. Gratitude is an overlooked practice that can retrain the way your brain functions. All to often we take the little things for granted. I know that I do. Try to be intentional with coming up with several things that you are grateful for at the beginning or the end of the day.
- Adjust your environment – You are who you surround yourself with. So, make an effort to spend time with people who encourage growth and positivity. If you have ever heard someone say that you are the average of the 5 people that you spend the most amount of time with, there is something to be said about this. There’s a quote that talks about standing on the shoulders of giants that has a lot of merit.
- Seek support – Professional guidance can help you uncover where your scarcity thinking stems from and how to replace it with a healthier mindset. We have several awesome therapist on our team here in Fort Worth at Fort Wellness Counseling
Personal Support in Fort Worth, Texas
One of the most powerful ways to overcome a negative mindset is through counseling. Counseling sessions give you a safe space to explore your past experiences, learn how to cope, and start reshaping your thought patterns.
You deserve to feel safe, supported, and empowered by a positive mindset. Schedule an appointment in our Fort Worth office today to start your path towards healing. After all, you deserve to thrive and live your best life. That’s why we help you do just that.