In my experience, I have often met people who want to enjoy a certain lifestyle or purchase which they cannot fund or afford. In fact, they paint the picture of being wealthy…, have you heard the word “packaging” before? It’s a common term people use to replace branding in a very inappropriate way.
As a slang term, “packaging” can refer to the act of presenting oneself or one’s image in a certain way to appeal to others. It can also refer to the way that someone presents their personal brand or image, particularly in a professional or business context. In both cases, the term “packaging” refers to the way that someone is perceived by others, rather than their actual personality, abilities, or accomplishments. It can be seen as a superficial or image-focused approach to social or professional interactions.
This simple term has pushed many people to live and act beyond their means. The drive the best cars, they live in highly profiled neighborhoods, and they wear designer clothes but they are actually broke. They mostly spend the money they don’t have. They want to “have their cake and eat it”. They want to enjoy two conflicting options simultaneously. They say fake it till you make it.
The problem with this is that you are exposing yourself to a life of financial disaster in the long term. This can lead to multiple shortcomings in your finances and life generally.
It can damage trust and credibility: When you present yourself in a false or misleading way, others may begin to question your honesty and integrity.
It can lead to social isolation: When people discover who you really are, they may struggle to connect with you on a deeper level, leading to social isolation and loneliness.
It can lead to feelings of anxiety and insecurity: Maintaining a false persona can be exhausting and stressful, leading to feelings of anxiety and insecurity and damaging your reputation in the long run.
It can lead to feelings of guilt and shame: When you present a false image of yourself, you may feel guilty or ashamed about not being true to yourself or others.
This can also lead to missed opportunities: When others have a false impression of you, they may not consider you for certain opportunities or roles that would have been a good fit for your true abilities and interests.
It can damage personal relationships: If you present a false image of yourself to friends or family members, it can strain your relationships and make it harder to connect on a deeper level.
It can lead to a lack of authenticity: Presenting a false image of yourself can prevent you from being authentic and true to yourself, leading to a lack of personal growth and fulfillment.
You may struggle to find other who truly understand and accept you for who you are which can lead to feelings of loneliness.
It can lead to a lack of personal fulfillment: Ultimately, presenting a false image of yourself can prevent you from achieving personal fulfillment and happiness, as you are not living a life that is true to your values and interests.
A lot of the time, people who “package” in this context end up living on loans; credit cards, and bank overdrafts, they are constantly in debt because they need to regularly keep up the image they have presented to others.
They face difficulty maintaining the façade, and it can be difficult to maintain a false presentation over time, as it requires a lot of effort and energy to keep up.
I have heard of people who even commit suicide when they get to the end of themselves where they can no longer afford the life they live and present to others.
Be true to yourself and live a peaceful life. Most of the people they try to impress are not even aware.
Be financially responsible.
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