Scarcity as a System: How Supremacy Culture Perpetuates Panic and Hoarding

and 10 Ways to Disrupt Scarcity in Our Lives

Scarcity is more than a feeling—it’s a system. It’s a carefully engineered strategy of supremacy culture designed to keep us in cycles of fear, striving, and disconnection. We’re taught that there’s never enough: never enough resources, time, love, or worth. This narrative doesn’t just shape our individual lives—it upholds systems of inequality and oppression.

In the Season of Self, we are called to slow down and challenge the narratives we’ve internalized. Scarcity, especially as it shows up during moments of collective crisis or uncertainty, is one of those narratives. Understanding how it operates is the first step toward disrupting it in our lives and communities.

The Anatomy of Scarcity

Supremacy culture thrives on the myth of scarcity. It tells us:

• There’s not enough to go around, so you must compete to secure what you need.

• Your worth is tied to your productivity, so rest or reflection are luxuries you can’t afford.

• Community is secondary to individual survival.

These beliefs create a false sense of urgency and foster behaviors like hoarding, overworking, and self-isolation. In moments like an impending storm or economic uncertainty, these patterns intensify, manifesting as empty store shelves, frantic stockpiling, and distrust of others.

Scarcity isn’t just a personal mindset; it’s a systemic tool designed to uphold supremacy culture. It thrives on the belief that there is never enough, perpetuating fear and competition among individuals and communities. This scarcity myth is rooted in systems of capitalism, colonialism, and patriarchy that rely on the hoarding of resources and power by a select few, leaving the majority in a perpetual state of “not enough.”

Scarcity shows up in multiple ways:

1. Economic Scarcity
   From wage gaps to rising costs of living, economic systems are built to maintain inequality. Scarcity convinces us that financial security is out of reach unless we work harder, sacrifice more, or compete against each other for limited opportunities. This belief distracts us from the reality that the problem isn’t our effort—it’s the system itself.

2. Emotional Scarcity
   Supremacy culture teaches us that love, belonging, and validation are finite. It whispers that we must earn affection or acceptance through our achievements or sacrifices. This emotional scarcity fosters insecurity and distrust, often making us feel unworthy of love unless we’re constantly performing for it.

3. Resource Scarcity
   Whether it’s food, water, or housing, the illusion of resource scarcity is perpetuated by systems that prioritize profit over human need. The shelves in a store may be empty, not because there isn’t enough to go around, but because the distribution of resources has been intentionally designed to favor a select few.

4. Time Scarcity
   The glorification of busyness and hustle culture creates the belief that there’s never enough time. We feel we must constantly achieve or produce, leaving little room for rest, creativity, or connection. This scarcity mindset disconnects us from the natural rhythms of life that emphasize cycles of effort and renewal.