I’m tired. In a bone weary, dragging myself out of bed, and unable to motivate myself kind of way. If it snows again (and it will) I fear I will lose my mind. Instead, I will greedily grasp onto every gorgeous day that we will have between now and actual summer.
Did I mention that I’ve come down with a serious case of Frugal Fatigue? And life not changing fatigue? And even though I’m trying to go with the freaking flow there are days like when my ex’s wife has a beautiful baby, I find out that actually 4 of my friends are pregnant not 3, and everyone gets a promotion of some sort, and I’ve spent the past couple of years trying to change my life and I wonder what is the point? Am I just spinning my wheels? No.
The reality is that if I haven’t been trying for the past 2 years to change my life things would be a lot worse! I think sometimes it feels like it’s wrong to get tired of the process of changing your life. Or, that we’re made to feel like we’re whining, weak big babies if we need to take a moment and say that sometimes the process of change kind of sucks.
It’s at this point in the debt repayment and change your life process when you have to take some time to make an assessment of where you’re at, where you want to be, and the steps that you have to take to achieve your desired results. You also need to look at where you started. Finally, it’s also at this time that you need to take a mental rest and start again.
Writing your expenses down everyday, being mindful of your own going monthly budget, thinking about how much your groceries are, transportation costs, student loans, clothing costs, my parent’s retirement savings, housing repair costs, and the extra 30 pounds that I’ve been carrying around is enough to drive a girl CRAZY.
So, I find myself asking if my life has changed in any way in the past 2 years? I’ve come up with a great list of things I’ve taken care of and or completed and I’m feeling really proud of myself!
Before I share my list I want to ask you Frugal Warriors have you experienced Frugal and Life Fatigue? Did you take time to assess your progress? Where you satisfied or unsatisfied with your progress? What did you change about your process?
Here Goes My List!
Taking Care of Myself:
- Am requesting to use some of my vacation time every other week to allow me to leave from work early a couple of times a week. This will free up at least 10-12 hours a week for me to: date, exercise,rest, study, side hustle, and spend time with family and friends. I have 5 weeks of vacation time that is still accruing. This is huge so wish me luck! Will find out about this today.
- Prioritizing both health and mental wellness. I’m trying to have quiet time without things scheduled. Saying no to stuff I don’t want to do, and just trying to keep things calm. I also must lose the extra weight. It is officially driving me nuts. With the time that I free up I’ll be able to do this.
- Dressing in a way that fits my current frame of mind. I’ve just finished upgrading my wardrobe and I LOVE IT!! Post on Friday.
- Getting rid of energy drains-basically I’ve created a list of 20 items that I’ve procrastinated on and am working through that list. My goal is to complete this list by June 15, 2014 which also coincides with Comic Con in Denver and a Ted Talk that I’d like to go to.
- Stopped dwelling on things-I am journaling so that I get stuff out of my head and let things go! Journaling is something that I’ve done throughout my life that I’ve stopped doing and I feel a lot better now that I’m dong it again.
Finances:
- Paid off several credit cards
- Have a bigger savings. This should really read-have started to save!
- Lowered my monthly ongoing expenses
- Increased my retirement savings
- Side Hustling-growing my monthly income
- Starting my online business
- Still totally enjoying Personal Finance/Lifestyle blogging. I love writing and connecting with so many wonderful people. It ROCKS!
Family/Friends/Love
- Making sure to spend time with my family and friends every week-at least 1 or 2 people a week. This is a non-negotiable. I used to be super social and I really miss it. I don’t need to be quite as social but a heck of a lot more social than I currently am.
- I’ve started writing letters to people again. I really enjoy connecting with the people in my life in this way.
- Dating-Signed up for a dating website. It was $35 for 3 months! And am really focused on this. I think I’m finally sending the signals again-have started to get hit on…or maybe it’s the new clothes?
- Starting to go to Meetups again and other social events on my own
Home:
- Fixing all items that I’ve procrastinated on. The kitchen cabinet that was listing, and the cabinet that was put on-the opposite way! What was the original owner thinking? That has been fixed!
- Putting in the wood floor in my bedroom sometime in May or June.
- Getting rid of the stupid paper piles by getting a file cabinet. SO MUCH BETTER!
- Replacing windows-most likely in June
- Repainting my bedroom-DONE! It looks so much better.
- Repainting my bedroom furniture-next couple of weeks
- Getting rid of any extra unnecessary items in my home-There is no place for clutter in my new life.
Work:
- Things are A LOT calmer than they have been for a long time. No, that doesn’t change my end game. But, it does affect my ability to go into work every day and do the very best that I can. As things have chilled out I’ve been able to be a lot more effective at work and am able to produce a higher level of work because I’m not as preoccupied with everything that was going wrong-at work and in my life.
Travel:
- Last year I went to: London, NYC, St. Louis (twice-once for FinCon13), and Montana
- This year-I have a great work trip coming up in May. Will be going to FinCon14 in New Orleans and I will visit my Grandma!!
As I look at this list I feel a huge sense of accomplishment and a sense of renewed focus. No, I don’t have more energy-I just need to get a lot more sleep. Once I get my sleep adjusted to a healthy level I think that I will have a huge boost in my energy levels.
Wishing you good luck with everything that you’re trying to do! Feel free to drop me an email and let me know how things are going! shopmyclosetproject@gmail.com
Pictured above-Anne Boleyn Suite in quaint English inn. My English sister put me in her for her wedding. Absolutely spoiled. Slept like a queen! The two pictures are of the entire suite. I would love to go back there and catch up on a year’s worth of sleep.
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GReat goals, hope you’ll achieve alls!!!
Thanks! I’m working hard at it. Wish me luck.
Yes, I’ve experienced life fatigue and am experiencing it now. I’m once again at a point where I know a lot has to change, it can be frustrating when things don’t happen as quickly or the way we want it to. My parents are always telling me be patient, be patient.
I still have to sign up for a dating site too! The service I’m signed up with now is crap so I’m going to try something new. Have to fit it into my budget somewhere!
Excited to see you’re going to FinCon14 too! I can’t wait to meet everyone, it will be the first time going for me.
Good luck with your lists! 🙂
Why do parents always say have patience? My mom says the same thing and it’s driving me crazy! LOL. I signed up last week but oddly enough have a duplicate profile! SO, I have to work on the current profile and then I’m ready to go. It shouldn’t be too expensive just look for the next signing up sale. FinCon14 will be great! Can’t wait to meet. I’ve never gone to NOLA before so I’m super excited. Thanks for the food vibes, will be ordering a new faucet-it’s on my list.
I recently cried to my boyfriend last week because I woke up so FRUSTRATED with my life! I’ve been trying to get back on track financially, I’ve been working out and eating healthy like a boss and the scale won’t go down. And I was exhausted. But, after a good nights sleep, I felt better. Sometimes, it happens. And we float on! You’ve done amazing changing your life, keep it up!
Athena, you’re right that sometimes a good cry is necessary. I’m trying to get the stress out in positive ways and stay focused. But sometimes I just wonder when will it be my time? At the same time I don’t want to dwell on things and to live in the moment. It’s a tricky mental balance. I DO need to exercise more that’s one of the best ways I’ve found to shift my focus. Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
Wow! You’ve accomplished a lot! I think I’m going to try this myself. It’s easy to lose sight of what you’ve accomplished when it feels like you have sooooo much to do. Heading over to your wardrobe post next… I REALLY need an overhaul.
Sometimes I think that we can be too hard on ourselves. I just want some things to get moving in the direction that I envision for myself. There are moments when I just get super frustrated and impatient with my progress.
I’m currently dealing with life fatigue. Starting this new job is wonderful, but I’m so exhausted! I can’t wait to get over this hump and finally start getting back into the swing of things
Lisa make sure to take time to rest. You can do it! I can’t wait to experience that feeling in the future (of starting a new job) not for awhile though 🙂
This whole month I felt like I have been going through life fatigue and frugal fatigue (but I have to keep chugging on frugally because of my upcoming trip next month). I had three breakdowns-like shaking, uncontrollable crying so much that it hurt my eyes. And top it off, I ended up injuring my hand earlier this week (due to an increased amount of physical strain the past couple of weeks), which forced me to do things with one hand or with two hands very awkwardly. It even hurt to type, but it’s almost healed now.
Lately, I’ve been really trying to eat healthier and cleaner. I’m reading labels more and reducing my processed sugar, salt and processed food intake. I’ll be honest, I don’t feel that much more energetic, but I feel better knowing that I’m not craving sugar and salt so much.
Wishing the best of luck with all your goals! 🙂
I forgot to mention that I had crazy crying moments-at work, which is awkward. I’m glad that you’re taking the time to eat clean but I’m sure that your body is telling you that you need a break. I get staying focused on frugality but sometimes you just have to take a break or you’ll break. We’re only human and we can endure only so much. If you can try to take some time (even if it’s just one day) to rest and keep your head in the game. Am sending you good vibes!!