Mini Essay

Three Most Harmful Addictions: Heroin, Carbs, and A Monthly Salary

We all have our addictions.

My first time ever encountering a needle and syringe program was in Melbourne.
I interviewed a friend and volunteer named Chito for a radio story. And he told me that Christmas was one of the saddest and most demanding times for drug users.It was a time of loneliness for most. And getting needles or paraphernalia for free is how some would spend their Christmas night.

There was no Christmas dinner, no family, and no friends to spend it with.

This moment reminded me of this quote I came across today,

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Even if we aren’t addicted to heroin, we still have things we can get addicted to.
The one that surprised me was the idea that a monthly salary could be addicting.

Just think about the last time you got a raise or a new job or new business, did you upgrade your lifestyle? Did you buy a car or a house? Did you treat yourself to a nice meal?

I’ve been guilty of that. I bought a blue velvet couch with an incentive I got.
I’ve eaten countless dinners to celebrate a promotion.
I made a vision board of material things when I saw my money tree going.

What if we didn’t upgrade our lifestyle at the promise of a higher monthly salary?

Society teaches to be addicted to an upgrade, an upsell, or a better life through all the material possessions we can buy. In the end, none of these possessions really address our innate loneliness.
There’s an inner peace that a monthly salary cannot buy you.

About the author

About the author

Bea Trinidad host a podcast about smarter love - Thirsty & Thirty. She is also the official storyteller of a culinary school, CCA Manila. She can help you with writing projects like a love story gift to your special someone or telling your company’s story.

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