Picture a squirrel, its cheeks bulging with nuts, but still trying to cram in just one...more...nut. Does it sound familiar? That's us – humans! We are driven by "more", even when our kitchen shelves are overflowing. "Another Pizza! Extra cheese! Double garlic butter crust!" Or scrolling through phones bursting with information which still is “Not enough! Not exciting!” It is endless! And unsatisfying. So, are we hardwired to crave more? Technically, yes! Our ancestors had to constantly seek for basic survival tools like food, material goods, information, and power. All of these were scarce and hard to find. So they hoarded, they hunted, they chased "more" with all their might.

Fast forward to today, shelves laden with snacks, phones holding more knowledge than a million libraries. Yet, our brains haven't gotten the memo. Even with our ability to fulfil our desires easily, the “scarcity mindset” still works the same as before. We are still hoarding and seeking. Made worse by the "scarcity cues" everywhere. See that ad promising the picture perfect life? Scarcity cue! Your neighbor's fancy new car? Scarcity cue! Mindless scrolling on social media for dopamine hit? Scarcity cue! Endless overeating? Scarcity cue! That constant urge to grab every shiny thing, even when we don't need it – all scarcity cues! 

Michael Easter in his book “Scarcity Brain” unveils this reality for us – we are chasing an illusion of "more" that's always just out of reach. This obsession can make us anxious, drown us in debt, and even hurt the planet! And, of course, missing out on life's delicious moments, just cause we’re stuck staring at glowing screens.

In the following sections, we’ll learn how to break free from this “scarcity trap.” Join us as we dissect the hidden forces behind the scarcity mindset. Get the science, the tools, and the power to tweak your brain and conquer those pesky habits. Ready to reclaim your mind? Dive in!