Let’s face it 2022 has gotten expensive and inflation isn’t the only thing to blame. Yes, inflation and the war between Russia and Ukraine raising oil prices and has impacted everything from foods to flights. However, our lifestyles have also gotten more expensive.
Think back to March of 2020. All of a sudden, the world stopped. For over 18 months, many of us didn’t travel, commute to the office, go out to dinner, or do activities with our friends and families. With these major lockdowns, we were spending a lot less money than we normally would.
During this time, we had vacations canceled, weddings postponed, and other major life events that went without celebrating. 2022 was the first full year that we really saw the world reopen. And with that, the pent of the demand of the last several years came out in full force.
During this time, we had vacations canceled, weddings postponed, and other major life events that went without celebrating. 2022 was the first full year that we really saw the world reopen. And with that, the pent of the demand of the last several years came out in full force.
Personally, I traveled to Mexico, LA, and Kenya all within the last 12 months. With two more major trips planned for early 2023 plus the rescheduled weddings and graduation parties the busy schedule is never ending. When I talk with friends and family members, we all feel like we are running on this hamster wheel trying to make up for the lost time in the pandemic. If you are someone who has had to attend a Thursday night wedding this year, I know you are in the same boat.
With all these events and travel plans comes a cost. Although many of us have vouchers they only get you so far, especially now that prices have gone up due to inflation. On top of that these vouchers were for the vacations and experiences we planned for 2020 and 2021 they don’t even begin to cover the additional trips we now want to take.
I also find that life has gotten so much more expensive due to social media. During the pandemic we all fell prey to scrolling on Instagram, Facebook, or even joining Gen Z over on Tik Tok. Every post is someone out celebrating while sharing their outfit details, going through a haul of their new products, or convincing you why you must have this life changing gadget from Amazon.
The creator and influencer economy is booming from this and my bathroom is filled with more products than I can count that will “change my life” (oddly enough not many of them have). I’m sure we all have a Stanley cup that is sitting in our cabinet already collecting dust in the graveyard of other water bottles social media has influenced us to buy.
During our new “post-demic life” it’s ok to take a step back from everything. I now enjoy looking through and influencers feed and asking myself if I really need that item. In addition, I am creating a bucket list of trips and trying to space out when I go away. We felt so trapped and isolated during Covid it’s easy to feel that panic again and think you need to say yes to everything. Also, know that you aren’t alone, and life has gotten a lot more expensive for reasons outside of just inflation.
