For a long time, I didn’t realise I was stuck in a mindset trap. I just thought life was what it was—work, struggle, pay bills, repeat.
I didn’t grow up around people who invested in themselves. No one talked about digital products or passive income. Money was for bills, food, and survival. Anything beyond that felt out of reach—something “other people” did.
But that thinking? That’s exactly what was keeping me stuck.
The Moment I Started Noticing the Difference
At some point, I started watching how other people—especially those with financial freedom—handled money differently.
And it was hard to ignore:
🔹 They invest in learning. Courses, coaching, mentorships—things many working-class people would call “a waste of money.”
🔹 They think long-term. Instead of only worrying about next week’s bills, they’re building wealth for five years down the line.
🔹 They take calculated risks. While many of us are scared to lose what little we have, they understand that sometimes you have to stretch to grow.
And me? I was taught the opposite.
❌ Stick with a steady job—even if it drains you.
❌ Save every penny—but never invest in anything that could multiply.
❌ Work hard, and eventually it’ll pay off.
But it wasn’t paying off. Not really.
The Mental Weight of Benefits and Burnout
I’m not ashamed of my background. I’ve lived on council estates. I’ve received Universal Credit. I’ve been in jobs that barely paid the bills.
But living in that cycle? It changes you.
💭 You start thinking it’s all you’re capable of.
💭 You don’t take risks because there’s no safety net.
💭 You stop dreaming because survival takes everything you’ve got.
It wears down your confidence. You stop seeing yourself as someone who could succeed.
But here’s what I’ve come to learn: struggling doesn’t make you more noble. It just keeps you stuck.
I Had to Unlearn What I Thought I Knew
When I first came across the idea of building an online business, I was sceptical. It felt like a scam. Like a world that wasn’t meant for people like me.
But the more I watched, the more I realised:
✅ These people weren’t necessarily smarter.
✅ They weren’t working harder than I was.
✅ They just thought differently—and acted on it.
And I had to ask myself: what if I’m not broken? What if I’ve just been programmed to play small?
So I did something that scared me: I bought a course. I chose to invest in myself for the first time.
And that decision forced me to confront my mindset. Because every module, every lesson, made me realise how much I’d been holding myself back—not just financially, but mentally.
You Can’t Build a New Life with an Old Mindset
Here’s the truth no one tells you:
👉 Changing your mindset is work. Hard work.
It means:
🔹 Questioning what you’ve always believed.
🔹 Learning how to speak to yourself with possibility instead of doubt.
🔹 Accepting that you may have to outgrow some people, places, and patterns.
But if you don’t shift how you think, you’ll stay stuck—no matter how many strategies you try.
What Helped Me Start Thinking Bigger
Here’s what’s helped me move past the working-class money trap:
1️⃣ Reading new perspectives – Books, blogs, podcasts from people who think bigger than I was used to.
2️⃣ Investing with intention – Not on random hype, but in tools and training that actually build long-term skills. Courses like UCB helped me see digital branding as something I could do—without needing a marketing degree or fancy setup.
3️⃣ Taking small, uncomfortable actions – Not big leaps. Just small steps that proved to myself I could do more than just “get by.”
4️⃣ Redefining success – For me, it’s not about luxury. It’s about freedom. Being able to pay my bills without stress. To work on my own terms. To show my kids what’s possible when you think differently.
Final Thoughts: Breaking the Cycle Starts in Your Mind
You don’t have to reject your roots to rewrite your future.
You can come from struggle and create success.
You can be afraid and take action.
You can honour your past and break the pattern.
It starts with mindset. And the rest? That follows.
