Inflation is a good thing.
I know you’re probably rolling your eyes or mumbling some choice words at me right now, so let me explain.
Inflation is the epitome of “today’s price is not yesterday’s price.” It is a beneficial tool necessary to not only keep our economy from tanking, but if applied correctly, it could improve your relationships.
How?
To know how to implement inflation into your relationships, you must first understand why you need it. Without inflation, your money would be worthless. Every year, the government prints more money and circulates that money into the economy. Because more money is dispersed, people have more resources to buy goods and services. When the demand for these goods and services increases, it forces the costs to increase. Without increasing the price of eggs, gas, homes, etc., more money would be in circulation than consumable goods, which would hurt the economy.
Basically, you will pay more for the same items year after year to keep things in balance.
We’re all feeling the effects of inflation on our pockets right now, as it is the highest it’s been in over a decade. It feels depleting and draining because you’re giving out so much of your resources to fix a problem you didn’t create.
The uncomfortable truth is that your relationships may feel the same: depleting and out of balance.
Often, when you first get into a relationship, everything is great! The relationship feels valuable and equitable and appears to be a good investment of your resources. But once comfort is established, things quickly change. One person ends up investing more into the relationship and receiving less. They often give more to receive the bare minimum in return, and things get more out of balance year after year.
Use inflation to combat the devaluation (loss) of the time, energy, emotional, physical, and even financial investments you make into relationships. Every year, the requirement for your investment should increase. This increase can be what you require emotionally, physically, energetically, financially, and/or time invested from your friends, family, or romantic partner. You don’t have to give anything away or accept minimum investments in your relationships. Healthy relationships are reciprocal and increase in value over time-not decrease. Use inflation as a tool to make sure that your relationships keep growing. If you’re going to give more, you must require more. Otherwise, you will feel drained and depleted in a bond that is supposed to add value to your life.
Inflation shows up all around you. It affects you every day. Allow it to serve as a reminder that if you can’t buy eggs for the same price you did five years ago, then people can’t access you for the same “price” they did five years ago.
“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.”
-Sam Ewing