From Healing to Saving: How Young People’s Approach to Self-Love is Changing

Young people’s interpretation of ‘self-love’ is beginning to change. Previously associated with self-care and mental health, there is now a growing awareness that financial condition is also an important part of loving oneself.

This shift is evident amid the weakening habit of saving. The OCBC Financial Fitness Index 2025 records that only 89 per cent of young people save regularly, down from 92 per cent the previous year. This decline signals that financial discipline remains unstable.

On the other hand, consumption patterns remain quite high. Some young people still define wealth by material symbols. Around 40 per cent associate it with luxury homes, while 26 per cent with luxury cars.

This situation shows an unbalanced shift. On one side, awareness of maintaining mental health is increasing. However, on the other side, financial management has not yet become a top priority, even though financial pressure often becomes a source of stress in daily life.

Along with that, there is an impetus to expand the meaning of self-love to financial aspects. This concept is known as self-saving, namely efforts to protect oneself through saving habits, managing expenses, and avoiding excessive debt.

“Financial management does not have to be complicated. What matters is not how large the income is, but how it is managed consistently,” as stated in an OCBC educational article quoted on Monday (23/3/2026).

Simple steps are considered sufficient to start. Dividing expenses between needs, wants, and savings is one easy-to-implement method. In addition, the habit of automatic saving is also seen as helpful in maintaining consistency.

Amid lifestyle pressures and consumerist culture, this approach is starting to be viewed as a necessity. Young people are encouraged not only to chase short-term pleasures but also to build financial resilience.

This change in perspective marks a new phase in the lifestyle of the younger generation. Loving oneself no longer stops at emotional aspects but also includes readiness to face future financial risks.