“Self-Control, Eating Healthy, and Personal Finance: The Struggles and Triumphs of Life,”
by Mel of “brokeGIRLrich”
Self-control – it’s a tough one, right? As I learned firsthand from my second round of the Whole 30 diet, the mind is a quirky thing.
Indeed, Whole 30 did wonders for me. I slept sounder, my stomach stopped complaining, and my energy levels rose I saw all the benefits and this, my friend, was no fairytale.
The 31st day arrived, and gave myself a break – eat whatever you fancy. The next day, the intent was to return to the healthy eating habits, with the occasional treat for hangouts and special occasions.
But lo and behold, a tub of ice cream, cookies, and a sandwich – full of stuff banned by Whole 30 – were my choices on the 32nd day. Days 33 and 34 were no different, with me rushing to restock my Girl Scout cookies stash.
Today, day 35, I’m considering doing another Whole 30. I realized I do well when I go all out, but moderation? Not my strongest suit.
Why though? Why can’t I strike a balance between healthy and indulgence? This morning, I mustered enough will to make a veggie egg scramble – a dish I enjoyed during Whole 30, and quite simple to make. Then, A coffee with a dollop of flavored creamer, because you know what? I deserve to enjoy my coffee.
But it’s baffling how something as simple as preparing a balanced meal can be an uphill task. And I know I might be facing the same hurdle tomorrow.
Funny enough, it doesn’t stop with food. All these struggles are similar to personal finance. You see, submerging myself into deep debt for graduate school was an extreme move. And by going to the other extreme of paying it off aggressively, I learnt a great deal about personal finance, frugal living, thrifty tips and side hustles.
Having goals is the key, I learned from personal finance blogs. I indulged a bit right after paying off my last debt, but quickly got back to setting my savings targets.
Still, finding a balance in spending is a challenge for me. One small ticket purchase turned into a shopping spree. One lapse from my thrifty habits and several others soon follow.
Many of us are engaged in a constant tussle with our minds to make a smidgen of progress. It’s my number one struggle, and probably yours too.
On the brighter side, after a few years navigating personal finance, I’ve noticed that my lapses have significantly reduced and hopefully, it’ll be the case with healthy eating too soon.
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that anytime is a good time for a fresh start. You don’t have to wait for a new week, month or year to make changes.
Remember, the only right time is NOW!
“Seize the day” or as they say it in Latin, “Carpe Diem”. Our future starts NOW.