From Scarcity to Clarity: How I Changed My Life Without Money

When I started this blog, my purpose was clear—to share my experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, the obstacles I’ve faced, and the ideas that have helped me manage the chaos of my life. But as I looked back at my writing, I realized I had drifted into abstract thoughts, idealizing concepts instead of telling the real, raw parts of my journey.

So today, I want to take a step back. I want to introduce myself not just through ideas, but through the stories that shaped me. And if there’s one thing that defined my early life, it was this: money was always a problem.

Growing Up in Scarcity

Money wasn’t just an issue in my childhood—it was a shadow that followed me everywhere. It dictated what I could and couldn’t do. It decided my dreams before I even had the chance to dream them.

I spent the first part of my childhood with my mother’s side of the family. We were poor—really poor. Poverty wasn’t just about not having enough; it was about constantly feeling like the world wasn’t built for you. I didn’t just lack access to things—I lacked the ability to even imagine a life beyond struggle. When you grow up like that, dreaming feels like a luxury.

Later, I moved in with my father. He had money, but it was as if that money didn’t exist for us. He lived with a mentality of strict control—spending only on what was necessary, and even that was just the bare minimum. Asking for anything extra was out of the question.

And I remember the fear of asking.

I remember needing something as basic as pasta for dinner and dreading going to my father to ask for money. It wasn’t just about the act of asking—it was the way he made us feel about it. The way his face hardened. The way his body stiffened and his disapproval was very loud.

Sometimes, I was so afraid to ask that I wrote him letters instead. Yes, letters. It was easier to leave a piece of paper on the table than to face his reaction. I learned that money wasn’t something I was entitled to. It wasn’t something I should expect. It was something that had to be begged for, and even then, it might not come.

That belief settled into me like a stone. Money was scary. Money was shameful. Money was not mine to have.

And because of that, I stopped dreaming of anything that required money. I loved art, music, writing, sports—I knew I had talent, but I never allowed myself to pursue any of it. Why? Because I knew the answer would always be no.

The Shift: A Dream Bigger Than Money

Everything changed the day I was introduced to the internet.

At first, it was just a source of entertainment—random videos, things to distract me. But then I stumbled upon something that changed everything: self-development content.

I started watching videos and reading articles that spoke about mindset, success, and how people changed their lives. And it shocked me—because up until that moment, I had believed that life was something that happened to you. I had never considered that maybe, just maybe, I could be in control of my own future.

I started dreaming again. Big dreams. Dreams that felt impossible but also completely necessary.

I wanted to leave my country. Not just for adventure. Not just for education. But because I felt like if I stayed, I would never become who I was meant to be.

But here’s the problem: leaving required money. A lot of money.

And at first, the thought of it crushed me. It seemed like an impossible obstacle. But then, something shifted.

I stopped thinking, I need money to achieve my dream. Instead, I started telling myself, I need to pursue my dream, and the money will follow.

Turning a Dream Into a Reality

I didn’t just dream—I moved.

I started researching every possible way to leave. I didn’t wait for money to appear—I started looking for ways to go without it. I found a path. I broke it down into steps. And I focused on the first step instead of worrying about the whole journey.

I borrowed money. I took whatever jobs I could—cleaning houses, running errands, anything—to fund each step of the process. And each time I borrowed money, I made a promise to pay it back. That promise became my fuel. I had no choice but to find a way.

It took me five years to get my visa. Five years of working, struggling, borrowing, repaying, finding new ways to survive. Five years of proving to myself that the only thing standing between me and my future was my own clarity.

The Science of Clarity and Success

I didn’t know this at the time, but science backs this up.

Our brains are wired to seek patterns. The Reticular Activating System (RAS), a part of the brain responsible for focus, works like a filter—it blocks out unnecessary information and highlights whatever aligns with our dominant thoughts.

That’s why when you learn a new word, you start seeing it everywhere. And that’s why when you set a clear goal, your brain begins finding opportunities instead of obstacles.

Once I had a crystal-clear vision of what I wanted, everything in my life shifted. I started seeing solutions where I used to see dead ends. People showed up to help. And yes—the money came.

The Myth of Money as a Barrier

We think money is what holds us back, but it’s not. What holds us back is uncertainty.

We live in an era where knowledge and connections are worth more than money. If you have clarity, if you are willing to move, if you are willing to ask, if you are willing to learn—money will come.

Think about it: You are a functioning adult in a world full of resources. You will not starve. You will not be homeless. You will figure it out.

But if you never start, you’ll never move. And if you never move, you’ll never find out what’s possible.

If There’s One Thing You Take From This…

If you feel stuck, if you feel like money is the thing keeping you from your dreams—stop looking at the obstacle.

Instead, define your dream. Make it crystal clear. Write it down. Break it into steps. And then move. Even if you don’t have the money, move anyway.

The outside world responds to the clarity inside of you.

And here’s the most important part: We are not chasing money. We are chasing a life filled with purpose, passion, and meaning. Money is just the tool that helps us build it.

Because when you wake up every morning knowing you are working toward something that sets your soul on fire—that’s real wealth. And when you have that?

The money always follows.