I’m several years into my financial journey and one of the most interesting parts of it has been how my mindset has changed concerning what I consider to be lacking in my life. I used to constantly compare myself to other people and I would always end up feeling like I was a loser because I didn’t have: a car, the fancy trips, the amazing clothes, and the weekly mani-pedi.
This comparison merry-go-round fueled mindless spending, which increased my debt and left me feeling trapped and frustrated with myself for digging myself into a deeper financial hole. Then, I connected with the personal finance community and discovered that there is more than one way to enjoy the things that I want in life and that I don’t have to go broke in the process.
The Power of Strategy
I am the first to admit that I had a complete lack of strategy when it came to my finances. I would wake up, work hard, and get paid every two weeks. Then, I would pay my bills. I wasn’t thinking about the future…I was just trying to get through each day the best I could without losing my sanity.
I imagine that there are a lot of people out there who are just trying to get by the best they can with the resources that they have on hand.
Fortunately, we are living in a time where we can flip the script. As I read more blogs I discovered that many of these amazing bloggers (and podcasters) zeroed in on a strategy that would help them win at money.
- The Snowball Debt repayment process
- The Snowflake Debt repayment process
- Extreme Savings
- Minimalism
- The All Cash budget
- Getting off the grid
- Selling it all
- Cashing in your retirement
- Downsizing
- Epic Side-Hustling
- Extreme-Couponing
- The No Car Life
- The old car life
- All about the bike life
- The making everything from scratch life
I’m sure there’s more. The point is, there is a financial process for every mentality out there. The key is to commit to the process that works best for YOU. The other day I reflected on the fact that a friend of mine made a financial choice that a lot of people dogged her out on. But, that decision was the best choice for her at the time that she made it. Would I do it? I don’t know. But, I’m not walking in her shoes. As for me, I’ve figured out the financial process that works best for me:
Embracing an Abundance Mindset
I believe 100% that there is more than enough time to take all of the trips that I would like to take. I believe that there is more than enough work for me to do to help others and grow my income. I believe that I will always have more than enough food to eat and clothing to wear.
I believe that I have more than enough. And, this belief has changed how I think about everything as it relates to my money. For those of you who know me, you know that I’m woo-woo.
And, for long-time readers of this blog, you may have picked up that I was dealing with a lot of financial mindset issues. Not any longer. I’ve become very focused on being thankful for all that I have. I no longer compare myself with other people and I really don’t have the energy to do that.
I am actively working on cultivating abundance in my life. This abundance comes in many forms:
- Appreciating and loving the people that are in my life and nurturing these relationships so that they remain healthy and continue to grow.
- Helping other people….because I can. I may help others via volunteerism, donations, or just lending a listening ear. I give in a way that is healthy for me and because I can.
- I understand that life is constantly changing and that a situation that I’m unhappy with will eventually change too (as long as I work at it).
- Embracing creative ways to gain access to the things that I want and having fun with it.
- Donating gently used items that I no longer need so that someone else can enjoy them.
Embracing an abundance mindset has helped me enjoy life more because I no longer feel like I’m lacking anything.
I have more than enough…and, it’s great!
Latest posts by Michelle (see all)
- How Work Policies Against Black Women Birthed a Love of the Soft Life - 20 March, 2024
- How Taylor Swift’s IP Victory Could Change the Business of Music - 28 February, 2024
- Why Don’t More Personal Finance Content Creators Talk About Policy - 16 January, 2024
This is such an incredible mindset to be in! It’s odd how just changing your mindset to be more positive seems to bring more good into your life. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Chonce! I think the most challenging part of my financial journey has been mindset.
I agree with you 100%. You have to have an abundance mindset. We all deserve success. The sad part is that a lot of people don’t even believe it/
I’ve said for awhile that mindset has been an issue for me. What I’ve realized is that many people struggle with years of feeling like they just don’t have enough. I have enough-now I want to earn a ton of cash. #noshame
Deep!! And, I absolutely agree. My life isn’t perfect..but things could be a heck of a lot worse. And, I have friends who left their home countries because life was so difficult where they were originally from. Am super focused on being thankful-every single day.