Summary

The article discusses the impact of poverty, exacerbated by the pandemic, on an individual's mental well-being and cognitive function, leading to a cycle of helplessness and hindered problem-solving abilities.

Abstract

The piece delves into the author's personal struggle with financial instability and the psychological toll it takes, particularly in the face of a global crisis like the pandemic. It highlights how poverty not only affects material circumstances but also erodes one's sense of agency, perpetuating a narrative of helplessness. The author reflects on the insidious nature of poverty, which permeates every aspect of life, fostering a sense of hopelessness and learned helplessness. Despite the challenges, the author considers strategies to overcome this narrative, such as engaging in structured activities, developing a positive internal dialogue, and seeking therapeutic help. The article also cites research indicating that poverty can impair cognitive function, equivalent to losing 13 IQ points, emphasizing the broader societal implications of financial hardship.

Opinions

Poverty is portrayed as a deep-rooted issue that affects psychological and emotional well-being, not just financial stability.
The author perceives poverty as a barrier to growth, change, and the ability to make positive decisions, leading to a cycle of stagnation and resignation.
The pandemic has intensified the struggles of those in poverty, especially in developing countries with pre-existing issues like disease, corruption, and human rights violations.
The article suggests that poverty can diminish cognitive capacity, likening the effect to the loss of a night's sleep, which can further entrench individuals in a state of poverty.
Strategies for overcoming the helplessness narrative include re-establishing self-control through routine, fostering optimism, and addressing the root causes of helplessness with professional help.
The author acknowledges the difficulty in balancing the need for safety and predictability with the desire to heal and reclaim one's authentic self amidst financial hardships.

The Crisis Of Unpaid Bills

Set against the severity of the pandemic, poverty becomes harder to bear.

Not surprisingly financial support was plugged once I spoke up. It wasn’t unexpected as this was the remaining weapon in the arsenal of long drawn abuse.

Still, the absurdity of it continues to surprise me. It seems we are back at a time and place years ago when the abuse was ignited by the slightest provocation. It feels like we hit the pause button and we are back in play now; back to a time of intimidation, and control. A time when I was fully dependent on the intermittent affection thrown my way.

With the job cut I faced, it appears whatever sense of independence I had started to cultivate is lost. And yes, poverty is hard to deal with.

Poverty is insidious. It is at the root of everything that keeps me stagnant, that keeps me scared, and that keeps me feeling broken. It grows inside of me, spreading its roots deep into my soul, and staying buried. It informs every decision, every conversation, every relationship and experience I have.

Poverty is pervasive. It makes me feel incapable of growth and change. It has led me to shrug my shoulders and resign to the circumstances of my life. “This is just how the cookie crumbles.” “This is all I can earn” “This is just what is available to me.”

At the core of these finite and labelling narratives is a prevalent sense of hopelessness. Buried deep inside me are the serious wounds of learned helplessness; which leads me to believe I am incapable of changing my financial circumstances.

The term learned helplessness was first coined in 1967 by the American psychologists’ Martin Seligman and Steven Maier. Learned helplessness is the opposite of self-efficacy. It is the belief that what we do ultimately does not matter, that we will be stuck in the same life patterns no matter what we think, say, or do. When we learn to view ourselves as helpless, we give away our personal power, falling to the trap of futility and resignation.Source

Compounding these thoughts is the prevailing economic and political situation of the developing country I live in. In a region plagued with disease, corruption and human rights violations, the daily struggles of living can lead to a sense of resignation about the future. And then came the pandemic which exacerbated a dire situation; where gender and social norms prohibit access to economic opportunities and financial resources. And the biting effects of poverty appear to be a fate I am destined to live with.

The main question here would naturally be: “How do I let go of the helplessness narrative?

i)Engaging in activities that restore self-control. For example, setting a schedule which includes work, rest, and play will help me regain a sense of predictability to my days.

ii) Developing a positive internal dialogue can help me increase my sense of optimism and hope about the future. On certain days this is easier said than done and I go back and forth between setting monumental goals and settling for the bare minimum. For fear of getting it wrong, I find myself sticking to what I know. I still seek a balance between these two beliefs.

iii)Working with a therapist to explore the origin of helplessness and addressing related behaviours.

The core conflict for me remains between my continuing need for the safety and predictability which I lack and my need to protect, heal, and reclaim my authentic self.

Poverty Can Make You Dumb

A study on the effects of poverty on creative problem solving revealed that poverty can reduce your IQ by -13 points or the equivalent of a good night’s sleep.

The constant struggle against lack reduces the mental bandwidth needed to solve problems.

According to the study, poverty is not the result of personal failings or an environment that is not conducive to success. The lack of financial resources itself can lead to impaired cognitive function. The very condition of not having enough can be a cause of poverty.

Poor people make poor decisions. They borrow more, smoke more, exercise less, fail to budget and save less than their wealthy counterparts. When faced with the urgent needs of food, shelter and clothing, innovation and creativity remain buried in the recesses of your mind.

Having little money narrows your view of possibility.

I am cognizant of the fact that healing is a process and not a one-step moment, but this pandemic threw me back on the recovery journey. I will need more than one strategy to deal with the emotions of this time.