 The clothes we wear, the house we live in, the

MATERIAL SELF car we drive – all these material possessions

convey messages about our personality,
MANAGING THE MATERIAL SELF
status, and preferences.
The concept of the material self is a psychological
SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE
term that refers to the part of an individual’s self-
concept related to the physical world, particularly
 The material self can contribute
the physical body, personal belongings, and the
significantly to self-esteem and confidence.
environment one resides.
 Physical attractiveness, personal
belongingness, and immediate
This idea was first introduced by the American
environments can positively or negatively
psychologist William James and it is an essential
impact a person’s self-perception and
part of an individual’s overall self-identity.
confidence levels.
MATERIAL SELF
CRITIQUES AND LIMITATIONS
The material self, according to William James,
(1) OVEREMPHASIS ON MATERIALISM
pertains to the objects, places, or even people
which have the label “mine”. Such possessions
 An overemphasis on the material self can lead
viewed as extensions of individual identities.
to materialism where individuals might
prioritize possessions over intangible aspects
For instance, your clothes reflect certain aspects of
of life, such as relationships, experiences, and
your personality and you designate them as “my
personal growth.
wardrobe”.
(2) VULNERABILITY TO EXTERNAL CHANGES
Specifically, James identified the body as the
innermost aspect of the material self. Also, you
perceive certain body arts as more private or  The material self can be vulnerable to external
intimately yours as compared to the others. changes.
 Aging accidents, or loss of property can result
The next aspect is your clothing; the garments in dramatic changes to one’s self-concept,
which protect as well as project your body. often leading to psychological distress.

This is followed by your family; they are connected OVERVIEW

to you by blood and you share their glory as well
as shame.
Your home comes next; it is where many aspects
of your life have been developed, it is where you
feel most comfortable, and it is greatly linked to
your identity.
The material self is a fundamental aspect of a
person’s self-concept and identity.
It incorporates tangible elements such as the
physical body, personal belongings, and
immediate family or home environment.

This is then followed by other possessions such as
gadgets, cars, collections, etc.
IMPORTANCE OF THE MATERIAL SELF
Understanding the material self is not merely about
acknowledging the tangible aspects of our
existence. It serves a larger purpose in our lives.
SELF-EXPRESSION
It can significantly impact self-expression and self-
esteem but should be balanced with other aspects
of self to avoid overemphasis on materialism.
Furthermore, being aware of the material self’s
vulnerability to external changes can prepare
individuals for potential shifts in their self-concept.
REMEMBER: “The best things in life are in things.”

 The material self often acts as a form of self-

expression.

SPIRITUAL SELF
SPIRITUALITY
 The broad concept of a belief in something
beyond the self.
 It strives to answer questions about the
meaning of life, how people are connected to
each other, truths about the universe, and
other mysteries of human existence.
 Offers a worldview that suggests there is more
to life than what people experience on a
sensory and physical level. Instead, it suggests
that there is something greater than connects
all beings to each other and to the universe
itself.
 Involves religious traditions on the belief in a
higher power.
 It can also involve in a holistic belief in an
individual connection to others and the world
as a whole.
 Spirituality has been a source of comfort and
relief from stress for multitudes of people.
While people use many different paths to find
God or a higher power.
 Research has shown that those who are more
religious or spiritual to cope with challenges in
life experience many benefits to their health
and well-being.
 Spirituality is not a single path or belief system.
 There are many way to experience spirituality
and the benefits of a spiritual experience.
 How you define spirituality will vary. For others,
(1) it’s the belief in a higher power or specific
religious practice. (2) It may involve
experiencing a sense of connection to a higher
state or a sense of inter-connectedness with
the rest of humanity and nature.
Some signs of spirituality can include:
 Asking deep questions about topics such
as suffering or what happens after death
 Deepening connections with other people.
 Experiencing compassion and empathy for
others
 Experiencing feelings of
interconnectedness
 Feelings of awe and wonder
 Seeking happiness beyond material
possession or other external rewards
 Seeking meaning and purpose
 Wanting to make the world a better place
SIGNS OF SPIRITUALITY
Not everyone experiences or expressed spirituality
in the same way.
Some people may seek spiritual in every aspect of
their lives, while others may be more likely to have
these feelings under specific conditions or in
certain locations.
For example, some people may be more likely to
have spiritual experiences in churches or other
religious temples, while others might have these
feelings when they’re out enjoying nature.
TYPES OF SPIRITUALITY
There are many different types of spirituality. Some
examples of how people get in touch with their own
spirituality include:
 Mindful breathing
 Meditation or quiet time
 Devotion
 Prayer
 Service to their community
 Spending time in nature
 Spiritual retreats
 Yoga
Others express their spirituality through religious
traditions such as:
 Buddhism
 Christianity
 Hinduism
 Humanism
 Islam
 Judaism
 Sikhism
It is important to remember that there are many
other spiritual traditions that exists throughout the
world, including traditional African and Indigenous
spiritual practices.
Such spiritual practices can be particularly
important to groups of people who have been
subjected to the effects of colonialism.
SPIRITUALITY VS. RELIGION
Though there can be a lot of overlap between
people who are spiritual and people who are
religious, below are some key points to help
differentiate spirituality from religion.
SPIRITUALITY
 Can be practice individually
 Doesn’t have to adhere to a specific set of
rules
 Often focuses on a personal journey of
discovering what is meaningful in life
RELIGION
 Often practiced in a community
 Usually based on a specific set of rules and
customs
 Often focuses on the belief in deities or
gods, religious texts, and tradition
USES FOR SPIRITUALITY
There are a number of different reasons why
people may turn to spirituality, including but not
limited to:
 To find purpose and meaning: Exploring
spirituality can help people find answers to
philosophical questions they have such as
“What is the meaning of life?” and “What
purpose does my life serve?”
 To cope with feelings of stress,
depression, and anxiety: Spiritual
experiences can be helpful when coping
with the stresses of life.
 To restore hope and optimism:
Spirituality can help people develop a
more hopeful outlook on life.
 To find a sense of community and
support: Because spiritual traditions often
involve organized religions or groups,
becoming a part of such a group can
serve as an important source of social
support.
HOW TO PRACTICE SPIRITUALITY:
Whether you are rediscovering a forgotten spiritual
path, reinforcing your commitment to an already
well-established one, or wanting to learn more
about spirituality for beginners, these are countless
ways to start exploring your spiritual side and help
improve your well-being.
Some things you can do to start exploring
spirituality include:
 Paying attention to how you are feeling:
Part of embracing spirituality means also
embracing what it means to be human,
both the good and the bad.
 Focus on others: Opening your heart,
feeling empathy, and helping others are
important aspects of spirituality.
 Meditate: Try spending 10 to 15 minutes
each morning engaged in some form of
meditation.
 Practice gratitude: Start a gratitude
journal and record what you are grateful for
each day. This can be a great reminder of
what is most important to you and what
brings you the greatest happiness.
 Try mindfulness: By becoming more
mindful, you can become more aware and
appreciative of the present. Mindfulness
encourages you to be less judgmental
(both of yourself and others) and focus
more on the present moment rather than
dwelling on the past or future.
HABITS THAT WILL KEEP YOU BROKE
1. Faking it till you make it.
 One of the most common and detrimental
habits.
 It's tempting to keep up with the latest
trends or maintain a certain lifestyle, but
overspending without considering your
income can quickly drain your financial
resources.
 Strive for financial discipline by creating a
budget that aligns with your income and
prioritizes saving and investing.
2. Impulsive Spending
3. Neglecting Emergency Funds
 Failing to set aside money for unexpected
expenses can force you into debt or
jeopardize your financial stability.
 Aim to save at least three to six months'
worth of living expenses in an easily
accessible emergency fund to protect
yourself from unforeseen circumstances.
4. Mismanaging Debt
 Debt is a double-edged sword.
 While it can provide opportunities for
growth and investment, mismanaging debt
can quickly spiral out of control.
 Racking up excessive debt, taking on high-
interest loans without proper evaluation, or
neglecting repayment obligations can lead
to financial ruin.
6. Ignoring Financial Education
 An interesting quote by Donald Miller reads
“In a world of Information, ignorance is a
choice”.
 Ignorance on financial education is a major
stumbling block.
 Without understanding essential financial
concepts such as budgeting, saving,
investing, and avoiding scams, you may fall
victim to poor financial decisions.
 Invest time in educating yourself about
personal finance through books, online
courses, or seeking advice from
professionals.
LIST FIVE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR
MANAGING RESOURCES AS A STUDENT
1. Learn to manage
 Use any resources you have judiciously,
instead of wasting resources.
 This implies that once you learn how to
manage, you won’t forget unless you want
to.
2. Learn to save
 Saving is a talent. But the good thing about
it is that it can be learned. You can cultivate
the habit of saving.
 A student who has the ability to save
always has an alternative means in times
of emergency need. Since he or she has
been saving, the saved money can be used
in times of emergency.
 Saved money can save from unnecessary
debt or hunger.
3. Avoid food or resources wastage
 Food and money are the two resources that
help to sustain life. This is the more reason
you should avoid food wastage and
wastage of other resources too.
4. Buy in bulk
 Buying in bulk is very economical.
 It saves time in the sense that you don’t
have to go to the market frequently.
 It saves money because it is cheaper to buy
in bulk than to buy in units.
 It saves energy because it stops you from
going to the market frequently and this
saves energy.
 So all together, buying in bulk saves time,
money, and energy.
 The disadvantage of buying in bulk is that
the goods are prone to wastage. Hence the
importance of management.
5. Construct a good budget
6. Use your time wisely
 Never waste a minute by spending time
doing irrelevant things.
 Make sure that you reduce your level of
entertainment. It is not advisable to stop
entertainment completely. You just have to
reduce it.
 As much as you are trying to study, make
sure you try to improve your social skills.