@re-joyce 23 March 2025 more from that month

“Maybe I want to buy so much because I grew up poor. I wanted things, but we had no money. I grew up yearning for so many things I could never have. So now, I don’t hold back at all.” —When Life Gives You Tangerines Those words hit home. Growing up with so many unfulfilled wants leaves a mark, and sometimes, buying things now feels like healing the part of us that once had to go without. It’s more than just spending—it’s making peace with our past and reminding our inner child that they are finally taken care of. For so long, we were used to hearing “no,” settling for less, and putting our desires aside because survival came first. Now that we have the means, every little indulgence feels like a victory—a way of telling our younger selves, “You deserve this.” It’s not about excess; it’s about reclaiming what was once out of reach and allowing ourselves to enjoy what we once only dreamed of. —Neil Jed Castro