Renting Stuff
Renting usually involves a temporary aspect. Homeowners sometimes start out as renters. But many other material objects can be rented, like clothes, cars, furniture, and jewelry. As far as I know, you can’t rent a kid yet, but babysitting is a good proxy for starting to find out how much you want children. Consumable items usually can’t be rented but you can rent some experiences like travel. Short term fun is available for the right price. A lot of knowledge can be captured from using renting as an opportunity.
Renting a Life
We could use trying on parts of life as a chance to see if we like something. Taking dance classes, cooking lessons, and signing up for the local softball team gives access to skill-building, exercise and fun. No one is an expert when they first attempt something new to them. Remembering that you are renting the experience gives you the feeling that you have invested on a limited basis and are willing to jump in and try. If the rental goes well, you may sign up for more. There is a limited liability along with the limited buy-in. There is safety in not going all in.
Rent or Buy
If you consider renting like a short-term buying opportunity, there is a little more investment. If you consider engagement as the rental step that leads to marriage, then working as an intern or apprentice seems natural when scoping out new careers. When you begin to see an investment pay off, you appreciate the chance to own. Consider your life. If you are renting it, what would need to happen to make you into a buyer? It seems as though we care more about the stuff we own because it is ours. If you realized that there are areas of your life that you haven’t acquired yet, but you want them, do you know how to create that investment opportunity?
Own it
There is a distinct mind jump from renting to owning yourself. Considering yourself as your best investment results in making higher level decisions. If there is a cost involved in levelling up, it is worth it. Because it is yours. Belongs to you. Created by you. Owning you is the option that gives you understanding, opportunities and values to work with to continue to build a life. Owning yourself means that when you discover dents from the old rental days, you fix them. You keep up your possessions. Owning it means that you can rely on the values that represent the finest you. No rental returns either. There is a lot of security in knowing that you can count on yourself. So, considering all the other choices out there, would you buy you?
Upkeep is critical when you own you. What does your self-care involve? Can you think of a better venture than you? What do you want the pay-off from you to be?
