In This Economy, I Try to Choose Myself

Lately, my social media content has been full of discussions about layoffs, diversifying assets, stock exchange, side income, and so on, especially in Indonesia, where the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) exchange rate drops dramatically almost every single day — in other words, what we call “in this economy.” The current economic situation (which still has not improved and remains highly dependent on unstable geopolitical conditions) makes many people live with survival awareness.

Me too. I realize that I have also become more financially defensive recently. I reduce unnecessary spending, calculate more carefully, think more about long-term security, and re-manage the life decisions I need to make.

One day, I was browsing an e-commerce platform to re-manage my purchasing plans. I deleted several items that I thought were unnecessary. Yet, I added one thing that was actually unnecessary too, but emotionally, I wanted to purchase it at that moment. I thought,

“I need to buy this to support me mentally.”

I did not really understand how it would work for me, but I purchased it anyway.

Later on, I was scrolling through social media, and I came across a discussion about the “Lipstick Effect.” The discussion came from an Indonesian who noticed that amid the current IDR situation, malls in Jakarta are still crowded and people still buy coffee. This phenomenon is known as the Lipstick Effect: a situation where people continue buying small things that provide comfort amid economic pressure.

That discussion helped me understand why I purchased the item I mentioned before. Why I bought things that I felt could support me during this time. I still want to focus on building myself instead of living only for survival. I do not want to live my life entirely in survival mode.

When someone spends most of their time surviving, eventually everything starts needing justification through productivity and economic value. Rest feels guilty. Beauty feels unnecessary. Joy feels irresponsible. People slowly stop treating themselves as human and start treating themselves as economic projects and managed purchases that constantly need optimization.

I think sometimes people simply need proof that life is still enjoyable in the middle of pressure. That is what makes me feel alive, not only live. Discipline alone is not always the only thing we need to live life, but also recovery, softness, and emotional safety.

People postpone buying houses or expensive assets, yet still spend money on skincare, coffee, perfume, or small rewards for themselves.

Thus, I learn to acknowledge and separate impulsive consumption from restorative consumption.

Some spending may be self-destructive. Yet some purchases genuinely help people maintain confidence, emotional regulation, social energy, appearance, and even quality of life. The important thing is awareness and intention. Am I buying something because I genuinely value it, or because I am trying to temporarily escape emotional emptiness, or something else? That is what we call financial responsibility.

I save money, diversify assets, and make plans for my future. But at the same time, I also do not want to become a woman whose entire life revolves around survival. Because if uncertainty keeps becoming part of adulthood, then when exactly are people allowed to feel alive?

Choosing myself in this economy does not mean becoming reckless. In fact, it means refusing to emotionally disappear while trying to survive responsibly. Because in this economy, choosing yourself is also part of survival.