Is it normal to want to be poor

I grew up in kind of poor living conditions and now I have a foster mom who gives me everything I want and I’m so grateful, I really am, but it feels wrong. It feels so wrong of me to be privileged. It’s like I take advantage of her kindness; I want to be poor again and be independent but something in my head’s telling me that that’s just the stupidest idea ever, hah. But I can’t help but feel this way? Is it normal to want to be poor again?

Voting Results
33% Normal
Based on 18 votes (6 yes)
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Comments ( 31 )
  • Nikclaire

    This sounds exactly like survivor guilt. Please do yourself a favor and learn to accept the help and generosity of others, even if you feel you don't deserve it.

    I had a shit upbringing, and I took the opposite route. I don't accept help, don't trust anyone and basically reject any love that comes my way because I can "do it myself". It's a shit way to live.

    Enjoy the good fortune and when you can, give the same to someone else.

    Best of luck with your new family.

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    • Aethylfritha

      Yes! And if you can help people and it makes you happy, help rhem. But dont wish to be more unfortunate.

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  • LornaMae

    No. Be thankful and pay it forward when you can.

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  • MissAnnThrope

    How long have you been with your foster mom? If it's a fairly new situation it may take some getting used to. Sometimes we crave the familiar, even when the familiar is shit.

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  • JellyBeanBandit

    It's normal to feel bad, but being poor youself isn't going to help other poor people.

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  • That’s like somebody wishing they were unhealthy. Be thankful you live in a house that can provide for you

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  • jethro

    Well move to some third world country, like India, and you will be quite poor and happy.

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  • Boojum

    It sounds to me like a variation on survivor guilt (what people often feel after they've survived some catastrophe due to nothing but random chance).

    You've moved from a not very good situation to a much better one, and you're smart enough to know that you've not done anything special to make this happen, so you feel you don't deserve it when someone is kind and generous to you. In fact, you're sort of the opposite of people who have an entitled attitude and believe the world owes them respect and anything material that they should want just by virtue of their existence.

    Being aware of and grateful for the good things and good people that happen to come into our lives is a very healthy attitude. There's a whole lot of shit in the world, it sounds like you've experienced some of that already and unfortunately the odds are that life will toss more crap your way in the future. But right now you're in a good place, so try to be happy, don't hesitate to express your gratitude to those who do good things for you and do what you can to help those who are less fortunate than you.

    You also might want to think about where that little voice in your head comes from. If your childhood was difficult and the adults in your life then weren't well-equipped to be parents - or even to deal with life in general - it wouldn't be surprising if you internalised the messages you got that you didn't deserve to be happy, loved, cared-for or even treated with any respect at all.

    If you have a good relationship with your foster-mother and she's someone who seems to have her head screwed on right, maybe you should talk to her about your feelings.

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  • raisinbran

    I would leave home and start a drug habit.

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    • MissAnnThrope

      Lol I've actually done this. Not all it's cracked up to be.

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  • TerriAngel

    Dont be stupid.
    choose, fight, and struggle to better your life.
    Those who dont, end up holding cardboard signs at cross walks.

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  • Iszzy123

    With great power comes great responsibility my instead of you be poor help other poor ppl

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  • leggs91200

    Maybe when someone is better off or living in a 'better" situation, it is more stuffy?

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  • Mammal-lover

    No. I grew up poor as well. I work my ass off so I'm not. Compared to the average american I'm rich but im certainly not. Enjoy the privilege. Most in the states who are poor is due to laziness or the like. That's why my mom was poor. Would rather live off the system despite having 3 kids and 2 ankle biters suffer for it.

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    • LornaMae

      Ankle biters as in small children or dogs? 🤔

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      • Mammal-lover

        Small "dogs"

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        • LornaMae

          What's "dogs"? Puppies or what? I'm still not sure.

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          • Mammal-lover

            Ankle biters, annoying little shits people call dogs

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