Achi news desk-
“This time, the joy of Eid remains dim because of inflation,” asks a stressed 30-something housewife
Hi Haya,
I am in my late 30s and have three children. My husband is the sole breadwinner and sometimes it is really hard for us to manage the budget as the three children go to school and the bills keep rising day by day.
And now that Eid is almost here, I am struggling to buy for my family with a very challenging budget. The prices of clothes and shoes these days have skyrocketed and everything that comes into the budget is not of high quality. Considering the societal pressure to wear good clothes and look well put together put a huge mental strain on me and my husband.
Besides, I also have to manage the expenses for other essentials including food. We celebrate Eid twice a year, but this time the joy was dimmed due to inflation and our family’s struggle with managing finances.
I was stressed these days as managing the budget and daily expenses as well as buying clothes and other things for special occasions like Eid became really stressful for us as a couple. How do you deal with this pressure and control the urge to buy expensive clothes? please help
– Stressed housewife
concerned dear,
I heard this is a very challenging time for you and your family.
Financial stress can significantly affect your mental and emotional health.
Today’s economic climate makes it difficult for many to enjoy the things that were done in the past. Know that you are not alone and there is no doubt that this is a really challenging time.
Inflation is something out of your control right now.
I hear that every year for Eid you can buy what you like for yourself and your family which brings you a feeling of joy and this year is different. In addition, social pressure puts a huge strain on you and your husband.
Let’s look at your situation.
I encourage you to have open communication with your husband. Talk together about your concerns, fears and ideas for managing expenses. Collaborate in finding solutions and support each other in this challenging time.
You’re having trouble shopping for your family and the options you like don’t fit the budget. With the constant changes in life, we must check our expectations and manage them accordingly. You can worry and stress about what is not happening or you can be realistic and find something else that is cheaper. This does not mean that you have to compromise on quality. Maybe it could be simpler.
I hear the social pressure to wear good clothes and look put together is taking its toll on you and your husband. I encourage you to question and examine your beliefs about money and identity. What is the definition of “good clothes”? What does good assembly mean to you and what are the ways you can achieve this in your current situation?
Know that the only stress we take is the one we choose to take on. Only you know what you and your family are going through. You can allow peer pressure to dictate you and rob you of your happiness (where the loss will only be your family’s, with no impact on society) or you can lower the lid on the pressure and choose to focus on the important things.
Some other things you can do is plan ahead and budget ahead for next Eid. Look for sales, buy off-season for next season. Create a detailed budget that includes all your expenses, including essentials such as food, utilities and school fees, as well as discretionary expenses such as Eid clothes. Prioritize your spending based on what is most important to your family’s well-being.
Explore reusing and recycling old clothes and find new ways to design and project them.
In the context of Eid, remember the true essence of what Eid really stands for – a celebration of faith, family, community and gratitude.
I encourage you to change your perspective and focus on what you have versus what you don’t have. I know it’s hard to adapt to change, but what could be other ways to create happy moments for you and your family? Enjoying a meal together, going to meet people together, applying mehndi to your children, going to see festive lights, etc.
Think about the blessings in your life, like your family, health, and relationships. Remember that happiness and joy can be found in the simplest things and gratitude can help change your perspective and reduce feelings of stress and inadequacy.
It all depends on how we choose to look at it. We can live in abundance or in scarcity. When you see abundance, you will find abundance within and around you. If you choose to focus on lack, you will find lack within and around you.
Now it is up to you and your husband to perhaps create a new Eid culture for you and your family that will also play a central role in the beliefs your children form about the festive event and how they approach it.
I wish you and your family a happy Eid Mubarak and hope that this Eid will be filled with abundance for you.
Best wishes,
Come on
Chaya Malik is a psychotherapist, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner, corporate well-being strategist and trainer with expertise in creating organizational cultures that focus on well-being and raising awareness around mental health.
Send her your questions [email protected]
Note: The above advice and opinions are the author’s and specific to the query. We strongly recommend our readers to consult relevant experts or professionals for personalized advice and solutions. The author and Geo.tv bear no responsibility whatsoever for the consequences of actions taken based on the information provided here. All published excerpts are subject to editing to improve grammar and clarity.
