In the three years I’ve had this blog, this is my first end of month update where I’m not reporting my debt progress — because I’m debt free!
It still feels weird to be honest. Sometimes I log into my loan servicer’s account just to make sure it’s still at zero. It feels like a dream in a lot of ways. While I’m super excited about being debt-free, I really feel like I’m starting over. This year will bring a lot of transitions. It’s time for a new life!
I’m also happy to report that my emergency fund and tax fund are back to where they started! So for those of you who thought I made the ultimate personal finance faux pas, it’s all settled now.
I plan on continuing to pad my emergency fund and next month I will start investing! I’m so behind on that front (as evidenced from my pathetic retirement score), but I plan on using my same passion for paying off debt to now build wealth through investing. In addition, I am saving for my move to LA and also my trip to Italy. Even though I’m debt-free, life feels very expensive. But I’m grateful because these are things I’ve been putting off for years.
On that front, I’ve also spent a good chunk of change on my health this month. My health insurance premium went up now that I’m making more money and I scheduled a physical, eye exam, and massage this month. Some things aren’t covered by my insurance so I had to pay out-of-pocket. It feels good to be prioritizing my health, though. Last year was amazing, but my mental and physical health took a toll from all the work.
Last year, my words for the year were bold, balance and adventure. I rocked everything except the balance. Failed, totally.
This year, the two words I’m focusing on are growth and wellness.
I’m continuing to grow and get out of my comfort zone. I taught my first live workshop (which you can get on-demand) a few weeks ago and it was awesome! I loved it! But I was so anxious beforehand. Once I got into it, I realized how scary things seem when you’ve never done them before, but how not-so-scary they are once you’re in the thick of it.
Think of any major moment in your life. It seems scary, but once you do it, it loses some of its power over you. You realize the world doesn’t end. It’s hard, but not so bad. You can do it, if you work at it.
This year I want to grow my business and do more workshops and events. I want to successfully launch my book. I also want to grow as a person and travel more, learn new skills, etc.
The key to growth is staying open to new opportunities and embracing the uneasiness of getting out of your comfort zone. I’m ready!
The second part is wellness. To me, wellness means I’m taking care of my body and mind, cultivating a healthy, balanced life and enjoying my relationships. Last year was my first full year as a solopreneur and I put everything behind my work. I’m not proud of that. Sure, I’m a hustler and workaholic, but what’s the point if you ruin your relationships and your health?
Wellness right now means letting myself sleep nine hours per night if I need it. It means closing my computer at night and hanging with my boo. It means saying yes to friends, instead of saying “No, I can’t, I’m so busy!” (ugh, that’s the worst).
It also means taking days off. I realize that working all the time depletes your energy and creativity. I knew I had a problem when I had no new ideas and I hated everything I wrote. That’s NOT a good feeling when you have to submit articles every day. Last week, I had a much-needed break in my schedule and took two days off and holy whoa it made a difference.
I saw a movie during the day and walked around town. Skyped with friends. Read. Slept. And finally, ideas were starting to come to me again. My motivation was back.
Days off are necessary to refuel your tank. When you’re running on empty, your work and everything else suffers. So this year, I’m working toward wellness in all areas and really putting myself first. It’s hard because sometimes it means saying no, or asking people to be flexible, or setting boundaries. At the end of the day, you have to put yourself first. But in order to achieve growth and wellness this year, that’s what I have to do.
How is 2016 treating you so far?
- Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
- Dear Debt, We’re Better Apart - June 27, 2022
- Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021
27 comments
I only imagine the feeling of being debt free! My words for this year are commitment and balance and thus far it’s going okay!
I love your two words! That’s awesome. You got this, girl!
Great post Melanie and I’m so excited to see more to come. I loved your workshop and have started making some changes in my life because of it. My wife noticed the check for my annual salary I wrote and when I told her what it was she got excited for me.
My writing has been bad lately I can’t get in the right head space, I have good ideas,at least I feel they are, but when I write it it sounds terrible.
Anyway I’m off this week from my 9 to 5 so maybe that will help
Yay! Glad you liked the workshop. It’s normal to have periods where you don’t feel like writing, or don’t like it. I’ve been dealing with the same thing. Try to rest and keep on trying!
Ahh, congratulations again on becoming debt free! It must feel AMAZING in every possible way 🙂 Not to mention that you deserve it!
I love your words for the year. Also, you’re moving to Los Angeles?! So cool! I divide my time between San Diego and LA and there’s no better place than Southern California! I hope the move goes well 🙂
It feels awesome! Yes, I’m moving back to LA! I’m from there! We should hang! There’s a good group of PF bloggers there.
I didn’t know you were from LA! Yes! I would love to hang and meet the LA blogger group. That sounds absolutely amazing. Sending you an email now 🙂
It sounds like 2016 is already shaping up to be a great year for you, Melanie! I’m focused on balance and wellness, too. Hopefully by FinCon I’ll have finally dropped 20 pounds from my old life of the road 🙂
It’s already had its ups and downs lol, but I’m getting there. You can do it, Kate!
I’m glad to hear you took a very much deserved two day break! I love your words for the year, too 🙂
Thank you! I’m ready for growth, but also wellness. Should be interesting!
I guess you can say that I’m also focusing on growth this year. I want to get out of my comfort zone more, which is both exciting and terrifying. I’ve spent too much time being paralyzed by fear and it’s really led to lots of missed opportunities. I am so excited to see how this year goes for you because it truly is a new chapter. It sounds like you’re ready to make the most of it!
Fear is powerful, but once you move through it amazing growth is possible! You can do it, girl!
Yes! Taking a day off really does make a difference. When I just can’t get my words to flow I know I need a day off to get my groove back.
So necessary! I’ve been making it a priority and feel much better.
Glad you are making your health and wellness a priority and glad to hear you replenished your account too. I said no today to a potentially great money-making side hustle, but I just can’t take on any more or else I will totally burn out. It was so hard to say no though. I’m learning…
Girl, I’m right there with you! It’s tough to say no, but we have to put ourselves first.
Some of the best advice I got in school came from a professor at another university while I was editing an article. He told me that you have to learn to “protect your time.” I’d never though of it that way. In fact, I did—and was encouraged to—do just the opposite in law school. Take as many courses as you can! Volunteer for this! Do a clinic! Take the most burdensome position on journal you can! And so on. But that note resonated with me, and continues to do so. Protecting your time to allow yourself to recharge, and be good at the things you are spending your time on, is so essential. So this is my roundabout way of saying, I can’t wait to see the amazing things you’ll do now that you’re giving yourself permission to recharge!
I love that thought “protect your time”. It’s so important. I’m used to giving away my time for everyone else but me, but I’m changing. It feels good!
Congratulations on becoming debt free! I keep imagining what life will be like when that time comes for us but we are still two years away. Your blog was one of the blogs that inspired me a year ago to not only pay off debt but to blog about it. This year I am hoping to get more involved in the PF blog community, so if you have any advice on going about doing that, that would be great! I look forward to your reading about your debt free journey!
Thank you!! It will feel so so sweet! I am so happy my blog inspired you. I love that! I recommend commenting on blogs, sending personal emails, and participating in Twitter chats. Those are great ways to be a part of the community. And be yourself! Keep up the good work!
It must be an amazing feeling to be debt free! I can’t wait until I will be there in three years. I’m looking forward to finally being able to start saving for retirement and building a large emergency fund once my debt is paid off. Congrats on having yours paid off!
Thank you! I am just starting to build my EF even more and will start investing aggressively soon. It feels awesome. For so long I never thought I’d get out of debt, but it’s totally possible!
Sounds like your 2016 is starting off pretty good. Mine is going good too.
Awesome! It’s been a whirlwind already, but pretty good.
I LOVE that you no longer have to post debt repayment updates!!! SO exciting!! As you know, my friend, my January was a struggle for me physically and mentally but I am thrilled that a new month has begun and with it I have renewed energy for my goals and I’m excited to pursue them.
It feels sooooo good! My January was the same, but February feels better already. You inspire me, friend!