I can feel myself in the middle of transitional personal growth right now. I’ve been living on my own for about three months, and I’m still settling into this new environment in a new place, state, and grad school. The process of getting comfortable has helped me shape a new normal. Particularly, shedding the unnecessary minutia out of my life and mind.
I’m learning every day how to be more financially literate. Some of it is necessity because of lacking funds, but a lot of it is a mental game too. I’m tracking my spending to see what my actual expenses per month are, and what kinds of things I spend my money on.
I have five financial goals/desires:
- Pay my monthly expenses (rent, utilities, and services) without breaking into savings
- Aggressively tackle my debts (credit cards, student loans)
- Put money into savings
- Invest money
- Still have a “life” (social/material/experiences)
I am definitely not at a place where I can comfortably confront all of these, but I am trying – whether it be cutting down spending or making more money. I’m already thinking about my financial goals for 2020.
My mentality and attitude towards things is also changing. I’m enjoying cooking and eating at home as opposed to going out or ordering in. I realize I don’t need a ton of things for my apartment to be “home.” My Pinterest dreams of interior design have changed. I don’t need shelves of décor and trinkets that inhibit functionality. I don’t need a brand-new couch or kitchen table.
And most importantly, I am very over fast and trendy fashion. I am tired of poor quality and horrified at the environmental impact and unethical labor. I’m done buying uncomfortable shoes and dresses that I’ll wear maybe twice a year. I used to imagine myself as Carrie Bradshaw, walking in Loubs and Jimmy Choos, wearing Balenciaga, and Versace, carrying YSL, and LV. “I like my money where I can see it, hanging in my closet” was the dream.
I’m finally realizing the true value and worthiness of the things I own. Marie Kondo is right – if doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it. Or don’t buy it in the first place. I’ve spent so much of my young adult life surfing the quick fashion high, perpetuating the throwaway culture of cheap, poor quality clothes. Sure, I can buy this dress to wear for x event, and then never wear it again. Ridiculous.
I’m in a mental place that is looking at the long game. When I think about self-care and personal growth, it’s for the long run. How do the things I spend money, time, and energy on, take care of me? Not just today, but going forward?