Many South Africans have a ‘poor’ mentality. What this means is that we tend to cry poor, to always have some excuse whether it is money, whether it is family commitments, fear or something else holding us back from what we really want to do and achieve in life. I think this kind of mentality has probably been passed down from generation to generation and it’s embedded in many of us. I guess it’s a more responsible way of seeing things but also an inability to challenge oneself, a tendency to stay put and to not take any risks or do anything spontaneous.
Someone I know told that she admires me today. I don’t know her well at all but she follows my blog and she messaged me. We’ve had a couple of interactions. She admires me for having the courage to go and do the things I want to do and not let anything hold me back. She told me she wishes she could’ve done the same thing before she got married. She told me that she’s like me, independent and free, and that she really wishes she could do the things I’m doing and see the places I’m seeing. I like her a lot and I wanted to say, ‘you can! It’s not so difficult.’ But ultimately people have to decide for themselves.
In life it’s all a matter of mindset. Some people are too afraid to travel, too afraid to leave home. Yes, leaving home is not easy. You leave behind everything you know to be true. You leave behind your family and your friends. And when you travel for long periods of time every single thing about who you are gets challenged. It’s not an easy mindset for South Africans to embrace. We love the sense of home and we are strongly rooted there. So moving out of our comfort zone is a massive feat for many of us. But home is also where you are and there are bits of home everywhere – I’ll admit, sometimes they are funny and you’ll be like, “SAY WHAT?”
I did it quite easily I must admit. Maybe it’s because I’m still young. But I can tell you something; it’s all just a mindset. I really wanted to live overseas for a long time and I always spoke about it. I thought about it day and night. And then I made my mind up about it. I really wanted to travel and see new places and it was a persistent bee in my bonnet to enrich myself in new ways.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not rich, I earn a decent income and live pretty much month to month. It’s not about being rich or having the money. There will always be an excuse if you’re looking for one. And that’s really the crux of it. If you’re constantly thinking about doing something, be it travelling or writing a novel, then deep down you really should and go with your gut feeling. It’s not like you’re getting any younger anyway. It’s not easy to do, I know, I’ve been there. But I placed my mind in the situation I wanted to be in, thought about it day and night and then I did it. I’m here now. Nothing is stopping me.
Don’t have the ‘poor’ mentality. Break free from the mould and follow what you are meant to be doing. It’s clichéd, I know. But for me, it’s the only right way.
Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem
Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem is the founder and main writer at The Museum Times. She works as a university lecturer by day and is an avid travel blogger and arts and culture enthusiast by night. Elizabeth started The Museum Times out of the need to give smaller, lesser-known museums more exposure.
Follow Me:
Lekker!
Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Hey Elizabeth! Really interesting to hear some honest insight into another culture and I really think you hit the nail on the head. There’s always a point where we have a choice to behave like we’ve been conditioned or behave like the way we want to behave. There’s always a choice…but there are always barriers that we can use as well. Glad to hear that you’ve conquered yours!
Hi Brian. Thanks so much for your comment and for taking the time to read my blog post. This means a lot to me.