A World Obsessed with Scarcity
Let’s be real: society has a weird obsession with scarcity. The idea that we must hoard, protect, and be on guard against losing what’s “ours” is ingrained in everything—from wealth to knowledge to love itself. We’re told, “If you share too much, you’ll be left with nothing.” As if love and trust are finite resources, like the last slice of pizza at a party where everyone suddenly turns into a competitive eating champion.
But here’s the plot twist: love and trust aren’t pizzas. They aren’t gold coins in a dragon’s hoard. They don’t diminish when shared. Instead, they multiply, grow, and—brace yourself—actually make life better.
So, let’s dig deep into why sharing without losing isn’t just a possibility, but the only way to live a fulfilling life. And if you’re still skeptical, don’t worry—I’ve got enough snark to keep you entertained while we dismantle these outdated notions of scarcity.
1. Love Is Not a Pie (So Stop Treating It Like One)
There’s a pervasive myth that love operates on a fixed budget. You can only love so much before you run out. Parents worry about loving a second child as much as the first. Partners fear that loving someone else—even platonically—somehow takes away from their relationship. Friendships are guarded like a dragon sitting on a pile of gold, because heaven forbid someone else get a piece of our attention.
But let’s pause for a second and look at the evidence:
- Do you stop loving your first child when you have a second? No. (At least, you shouldn’t.)
- Does your best friend stop being your best friend just because you made another friend? No, unless they’re a particularly insecure sociopath.
- Do you lose the ability to care for your family just because you fell in love? Again, no.
Love is not a limited resource. It’s an emotional and psychological force that expands the more you use it. Kind of like a muscle, but without the annoying soreness after leg day.
2. Trust: The More You Give, The More You Have
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Trust? Hah! I gave that out once, and someone stomped on it like an old banana peel.” And fair enough—trust can be broken. It’s fragile, right?
Wrong.
Trust is not a single-use commodity. It’s not like a fancy napkin you unfold at a dinner party, never to be the same again. It’s more like a muscle (yes, another muscle metaphor, deal with it)—it gets stronger with use.
If you give trust, you encourage trust. It’s contagious. Sure, sometimes people let you down. Sometimes, your faith in humanity takes a hit. But the alternative is a lonely, skeptical existence where you sit in a metaphorical (or literal) bunker, convinced everyone is out to get you. And honestly, that sounds exhausting.
Trust breeds more trust. The people you trust are more likely to trust you back, creating a beautiful cycle of mutual reliance instead of a vicious loop of paranoia.
3. The Myth of Emotional Bankruptcy
A classic reason people hesitate to share love and trust is the fear of emotional bankruptcy. The idea that you’ll give so much of yourself to others that you’ll be left with nothing.
But let’s think about this logically for a second:
- Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m too happy, I should probably hoard some of this for later?”
- Have you ever worried that showing too much kindness will permanently deplete your ability to be kind in the future?
- Do you limit your laughter per week so you don’t run out?
Of course not. That would be ridiculous.
Emotions don’t run on a limited battery. In fact, positive emotions tend to recharge you. The more love you give, the more love you feel. The more kindness you show, the more kindness becomes second nature.
Hoarding love and trust, on the other hand, actually drains you because it keeps you in a constant state of fear and self-protection. And let’s be honest, emotional fortresses are exhausting to maintain.
4. Sharing Knowledge, Not Hoarding It Like a Jealous Wizard
Ever met someone who refuses to share what they know because they think it makes them irreplaceable? It’s the classic “If I teach them everything, they’ll take my job” paranoia.
Look, gatekeeping information doesn’t make you powerful—it makes you stingy. Knowledge, like love and trust, grows when it’s shared. Teachers don’t “lose” knowledge when they pass it on. Writers don’t suddenly forget how to write when they publish a book. Scientists don’t become less intelligent when they share their research.
By sharing what you know, you not only help others but also reinforce your own understanding. And, surprise! People will actually respect you more, not less. Imagine that.
5. Relationships Thrive on Generosity, Not Transactions
Modern relationships (romantic, platonic, professional) often fall into a dangerous mindset: transactional thinking.
- “I texted first last time, so they should initiate now.”
- “I helped them move, so they owe me something.”
- “I said ‘I love you’—now where’s my reciprocation?”
This tit-for-tat mentality is poison. It turns relationships into a bizarre economic exchange instead of a mutual experience. Love and trust flourish in generosity, not in keeping score.
Give without expecting immediate returns, and guess what? The best relationships are the ones where giving and receiving happen organically, not through a balance sheet.
6. The Irony of Hoarding Affection: Loneliness
Some people hoard love and trust because they fear being taken for granted. They believe if they don’t dole out affection carefully, they’ll be used up and discarded like an expired coupon.
The irony? Hoarding love usually results in loneliness. Keeping your heart on lockdown doesn’t protect you—it isolates you. The happiest people aren’t the ones clinging to their emotions like a doomsday prepper hoarding canned goods. They’re the ones giving freely, trusting openly, and experiencing deeper connections because of it.
7. The Practical Side: How to Share Without Fear
Alright, so we’ve established that love and trust aren’t finite. But what if you still struggle to share without fear of losing yourself? Here’s a cheat sheet:
- Set Boundaries, Not Walls – Sharing doesn’t mean overextending. Healthy boundaries allow you to give without depletion.
- Choose Who You Invest In – Not everyone deserves your trust immediately, and that’s fine. But don’t let past betrayals stop you from ever trusting again.
- Practice Generosity in Small Ways – Compliment people, offer help, be kind—even when there’s no reward. It builds the muscle of generosity.
- Ditch the Scorekeeping – If your relationships feel like ledgers, you’re doing it wrong. Give because you want to, not because you’re expecting repayment.
Conclusion: Sharing Is the Ultimate Life Hack
Here’s the deal: life is short. Love and trust aren’t rationed goods that you need to stockpile for emergencies. The more you give, the more you receive—not in a cheesy “karma points” way, but because human connection thrives on openness.
So stop hoarding. Stop treating love like a rare Pokémon card you’re afraid to trade. The people who live the fullest lives aren’t the ones who guarded their emotions like a bank vault. They’re the ones who shared without fear.
And honestly? That sounds like a way better way to live.