My $3,000 lesson on authenticity

Being your authentic self has been on trend in recent years.

The definition of ‘Authenticity’ according to the Cambridge Dictionary is:

“The quality of being real or true.”

Being our authentic self means to live and behave in a way that aligns to our personality, character and values. 

It is about our actions and how we feel about our actions when no one is watching.

In terms of budgeting, we should plan our money in a way that allows us to live authentically.

Years ago I had a deep yearning for a designer bag. I knew exactly what I wanted – a Medium sized Saffiano Leather Double Prada Bag. I literally spent years dreaming about the day I could bite the bullet and splash out on this magnificent beauty.

You see, so many people I knew both personally and professionally had these gorgeous designer bags. Yes, plural. I didn’t know how it felt to own even one, but it seemed to bring everyone so much pride and joy.

I believed that my life would be complete once I had this Prada bag in my hot little hands. Well that’s an exaggeration but you get the gist of how much I wanted this bag. 

So… I bit the bullet.

The bag was truly incredible. The feeling of the Saffiano leather was on another level.  

This material item I now owned was a symbol of social class. It somehow indicated I was now a part of this prestigious group. It represented a reward for my hard work, based merely on a societal view of what success looks like.

I used the bag once.

I felt immensely uncomfortable the day I used it. I received many positive comments but all the while my awkwardness grew. Why did I feel this way? I saw so many of my friends looking confident and fabulous with their designer goods.

This was my $3,000 lesson on authenticity. I thought this item would make me feel fabulous, but it did the complete opposite. I had outlaid thousands of dollars which, at the time, impacted on my budget. I had prioritised a bag over an upcoming holiday with my husband.

For some people this would be acceptable. For me, it was an expensive lesson I will never forget.

Now, I am able to genuinely admire all of the designer beauties around me. When someone I love is excited over a new bag, I am able to share in their excitement. I have an appreciation from a distance.

The moral of the story is, to live your life authentically.

Plan your budget around the things you love to do as well as the things you want to own.  

Life is short so live it abundantly and with intentionality.