The first time I realized I was being too future-focused was when I got in a bad mental health state in 2020.
I didn’t want to pay for Cognitive-Behavior Therapy sessions. I could have, but I didn’t want to spend money on it. Not super clever, I know.
Looking back, I get mad at myself for putting savings before my mental health needs. This experience changed me, since it took me less than one year to improve my mental health, live a happier and confident life. It was a big growth moment.
Money now has a different meaning to me. I don’t go out there spending like crazy but I also don’t track every expense. What is more important to me now is think of as an investment. Instead of fixating too much on how much I can save, I decided to think og how much I can create.
“Wait, are you telling me to ignore cutting down my expenses and do everything that’s important to me, then?”
Not exactly.
Before investing in my Mental Health, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.
Saving money was my priority. I’m proud of committing to it. Good or not, it allowed me to having the option to quit my job during a pandemic. Plus, I know I can achieve any goals I set myself to, which is awesome.
The danger lies in seeing everything as equally important.
When we don’t get clarity on what matters to us, we end up doing what everyone else is doing. That’s the danger of not knowing where you’re money is going. Saving more right now might be what you need to create the space to reflect on your life. but only you can know that.
One way to balance your present and future happiness
What if you start by deciding with what is the most important to you?
Here’s an exercise from the book Not Meditating - Finding Peace, Love and Happiness without sitting still:
Imagine someone is reading the eulogy at your funeral. What would you want them to say about your relationships, your attitude to life, your achievements? Would you want to be described as positive, fun-loving, and caring? Would you want your family and friends to say you always had time for them? Would you want to describe how you followed your dreams and made the most of your life? Would you want them to describe you always had the latest car or TV or to mention your recent promotion or pay rise? Would you want them to say, “Well they were always very busy"?
Start designing your today for the life you want to be remembered for. Once you get clear on what matters to you, it’s easier to say no to all the rest.
If you’ve enjoyed this content, you might want to check out Spark your Runway with FIRE. Your guide to planning for financial independence so you can retire early, or build your runway to go full-time on your business, sooner!