2020 certainly seems to have heightened our collective sense of uncertainty. And as such, many of us find our certainty-seeking selves engaged in an epic battle royale of right vs wrong, good vs evil, and us vs them. 

Or do we?

“Once you realize that other groups are coming from a different place than you are, you actually can empathize with their views. It may not be as fun, but you can actually view your ideological opponents as decent human beings who look at the world differently from the way you do. And it shows the foolishness, other than for therapeutic catharsis, of yelling at your opponents oblivious to why they don’t understand the wisdom of your views. The person you’re arguing with just doesn’t see the world the way you do.” - The Three Blind Spots of Politics by Russ Roberts

I think Russ’ conclusion, while highlighting our growing political divide, applies to how we see money differently, too.

For example, your neighbor might think your weekly house cleaner, lawn service, and grocery delivery is a colossal waste of money. In their view, spending money on things you could do yourself is the opposite of financial responsibility. But is your neighbor an overly frugal, coupon-clipping maniac? Or was money just tight in their house growing up so now they take extra care with their own spending?

On the other hand, you’re comfortable with outsourcing these household tasks. Is that because you believe you’re above doing these tasks yourself? Or did your parents work a ton when you were growing up and outsourcing these tasks allows you to be more present in your own childrens’ lives? 

When we make an effort to see where another person might be coming from financially, politically, or otherwise, and learn how different that might be from our own life experiences, something changes. We realize they might not be our mortal enemies nor are they terrible human beings. They just see the world differently than we do because they have experienced it differently than we have.

Exercising greater understanding and empathy, as difficult as it can be, is necessary if we wish to coexist peacefully and disagree respectively. 

This approach can not only improve our relationships around money, but it seems to be something the world as a whole could use a lot more of right now.

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