‘Di masama gumastos. But do keep your inner child in check, financially speaking.
Picture this: Stressed ka sa work and you needed to eat. Tinatamad ka magluto ng lunch o dinner even though that’s what you’re supposed to do (plus it costs zero pesos!). So you gave in to your cravings and ordered your usual Jollibee, yung fave mo nung bata ka. 2-pc. Chickenjoy with Jolly Spaghetti and a large Coke. After the meal is devoured, you convince yourself that it’s the best thing you’ve ever spent your P300 on….. talaga ba?
In today’s lingo, ‘healing your inner child’ just means retail therapy, even if there are other methods to soothe your childhood pains. For many of us growing up, marami tayong mga bagay at experiences na na-miss simply because we did not come from wealth nor had enough time to enjoy our childhood. After all, time is money. So as you go through life as an adult, that inner child occasionally sneaks out, usually at the worst possible moments.
Managing these 'inner child' gastos is a valuable skill to have, and it doesn’t have to be restrictive. Here are some tips to keep that inner child in check without feeling like a strict parent:
Give your inner child a budget.
Set aside a small “fun fund” each month for those “impulsive” purchases. This way, you can indulge without guilt and still keep your finances on track. If you blow the fun fund on Day 1, sorry, but your inner child will have to wait until next month!
Practice delayed gratification.
When you spot something that makes your inner child scream with joy, wait 24 hours, a week, or even a month, before buying it. Chances are, the initial excitement will fade, and you’ll realize that you don’t need that Nintendo Switch or Valorant Skin Bundle. But if you’re still dreaming about it after some time, maybe it is worth it!
Involve your inner adult.
Ask yourself, “Is this something I’ll still love in a month or even a year?” If the answer is no, it’s probably best to pass. Your inner adult has the wisdom to foresee the future that your inner child lacks.
Remember, retail therapy is NOT ‘healing your inner child’.
Buying things to cheer yourself up can lead to a cycle of temporary happiness followed by regrets. Okay lang naman gumastos for yourself every once in a while but the goal here is to get healed, long-term. Instead, find other ways to comfort and entertain your inner child, like drawing, building Legos, or watching your favorite childhood movie on Disney+.
And lastly, just have fun with your inner child, but do so mindfully and moderately. Remember, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Life is too short to deny yourself all pleasures. A little joy today can just be as valuable as tomorrow or the next few months.
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