So full disclosure, I am not a writer. I am not a natural writer. I was the kid in grade school who was told by teachers that I am a hard worker but not a "good" writer. This statement was not mentioned once but multiple times during school age since written/typed language arts and literature assignments were required. Because I was an obedient, hard working student, I listened to what my teachers told me about my abilities and took it as face value. I feel that is the limiting opinions "well-meaning" adults say, among other things, that become ingrained in children-adolescents that follow them as they become forming adults. So the belief [insert limiting opinion here] stays with us and slithers into our psyche and becomes a narrative we carry affecting our self-image, self-esteem, and confidence. So what does this story about being told that I was not a "good" writer has to do with money/finances? Uh, everything! The limiting opinions we hear can stick with us, stifling our mindset and outlook.
I thought I was "bad" with money because when I was old enough, 15 years old, to get my first job I just thought of getting my own money and spending my money how I want to. Saving the money, even 25% of my paycheck, didn't cross my mind. When I was getting ready to graduate college in 2013, I thought back to how much money I probably had earned from 15 years old to 22 years old and how I "squandered" it and had barely anything to show for all those early years of work. Fast forward to 2019, I finally became at peace with my multiple past money decisions and planned to forge ahead with not blaming my past self for decisions made and to not dwell in that negative headspace because that will make me poorer. Being stuck in financial decisions and blaming myself by telling myself that "I am bad with money. You wasted so many opportunities to save money and have some kind of safety net" was not serving me. I was perpetuating a nasty cycle with myself and unknowingly sabotaging myself to stay stuck and continue to make broke financial decisions like putting grocery expenses on credit cards because I was not budgeting/forecasting a reasonable amount in my monthly expenses. I chalked it up that I was not "good" with money and would be in debt because I just can't manage my own finances.
It took several years from college graduation and early full-time employment, for me to realize that I have to break my patterns to get off this guilt ridden hamster wheel and make changes to improve and enrich my life. So I did. I finally decided in 2019 to stop taking low paying jobs and embrace my worth as deserving more money. I am so glad I pushed my self-limiting beliefs of not being good with money to the reality of my financial situation. I was good with money, I was just not making enough to keep up with rising costs of living and making my personal financial goals come true. So I end this rambling with a challenge? What are you holding on to from your past? What opinions are you tying yourself to that no longer serve you? I want you to know that you have the power to break yourself free and to embrace your goals and dreams. I dare you to outline the steps and make the moves to chart a new and more enriching life than you allowed yourself to have. Take it from me the most unlikely writer who chose to write regardless of it being a "natural" talent. Just start your path and don't look back (unless you are taking in the view from where you were)!
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