The Struggle is Expensive, Exhausting, and Kinda Bullsh*t*
Chasing Financial Freedom, Health, and Happiness Without Losing My Sanity (or What's Left of My Savings)
Join me for a dose of snarky humor and witty commentary as I share the ups, downs, and lessons learned while navigating life, marriage, and parenting nuerospicy kids with an ADHD partner—all while trying to embrace the crunchy lifestyle!What Do You Want?
I want financial freedom, health, and happiness. Can I tell you exactly how to get there? Not really. But I can share everything that won’t get you there—because I’ve tried it all.
Financial Freedom: The Elusive Goal
I’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and tried all the things. None of them worked for me. Shocking. It sucks to watch our income grow each year, yet still feel financially stuck. Part of that is the never-ending desire for more, the dopamine rush of spending. Who doesn’t get caught up in that? Oh yeah, fiscally responsible people. But are they truly living, or just endlessly preparing for the future like some sort of budget-obsessed doomsday preppers?
Where's the balance between living in the moment and saving for what’s ahead? Everyone claims to have the answers, but none have worked for us. We repeat what we know. We dig ourselves out, then celebrate too hard, and the cycle continues. Financial wisdom at its finest.
Funny enough, I used to be the saver—always cautious, never spending. My husband was the opposite—always spending, never saving. You’d think we’d balance each other out. Nope. Instead, it just created stress because we weren’t on the same page. Every time we tried to come together with a financial plan, only one of us could stay on track for long before we were back in the trenches of financial chaos.
People say, "Money comes and goes, don’t dwell on it." Oh really, Susan? Because when more is going than coming, it’s kind of hard not to dwell on it. When life keeps throwing curveballs, and you shift from living to merely surviving, it’s hard to embrace the whole “money is just energy” mindset.
The Never-Ending Search for Health
I’ve been chasing health for over 15 years. I’ve had moments where I felt amazing, but far more where I didn’t. Yes, my roots are crunchy, but that doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I’ve fallen for all the wellness promises, hoping for that one magic solution. Nothing worked. Not the expensive supplements. Not the miracle superfoods. Not the overpriced detox teas that influencers swear by.
Lately, I’ve been diving into the mind-body connection. The idea that when we tell ourselves we’re sick, we actually become sick. That trapped emotions can manifest as physical symptoms. I had never thought of it that way. Naturally, I wanted to learn more. Why not? I’ve tried everything else.
Some people swear by energy work, others think it’s nonsense. I live for the weird and unconventional, so sign me up. My husband, of course, thinks I’ve officially lost it. But he also thought my obsession with fermenting vegetables was weird, and now he eats my homemade sauerkraut like it’s candy. He’ll come around.
So here I am, writing out emotions I’ve bottled up for years. Trying energy work—whatever that even means. Resting more because apparently, when your body stops running on fight-or-flight mode, it crashes. (How rude.) I’ve started somatic yoga. No dramatic emotional breakdowns like you see on TikTok, but hey, it feels good. I’ve slowed down, no longer rushing through life like I’m in some imaginary competition.
Will this be what finally brings me health? I don’t know. But it feels damn good. Much better than obsessing over food, punishing myself with workouts, or forcing myself to constantly do, do, do. I feel lighter. Less stressed. Life still throws curveballs, but I don’t sit in the stress anymore. I let it be, then move forward.
What About Happiness?
I miss how things used to be with my husband. Not our love for each other, but our spark for life. It feels like life has dragged us down. Part of that is kids, part is financial stress, part is just… life. We’ve changed, and that’s good, but it doesn’t stop us from dwelling on the past. The good parts, of course. The parts where we felt free, excited, alive.
But we can’t go backward. We have to move forward. So how do you find happiness when life keeps throwing punches? And please don’t tell me to “look on the bright side.” That’s just toxic gaslighting of real feelings.
I don’t think there’s a magic answer. I think we each have to figure it out for ourselves. For me, happiness comes from slowing down, taking care of my emotions, making better financial choices, and being present while still planning for the future. It’s all a delicate balance—like walking a tightrope while life hurls obstacles at you. I have to stop fearing the fall and trust that there’s a net beneath me.
In 20 years of adulting, I’ve learned a lot. I have the tools. Now I just have to trust myself to use them.
What About You?
So I’ll ask again: What do you need?
For me, it’s financial security, health, and presence. That’s what I’ll be working on this year. What will you be working on? Share your thoughts with me—unless it’s “just be positive,” in which case, please take that elsewhere. 😆
Love my snarky takes on marriage, parenting, and the chaos of raising an AuDHD-fueled family—while still trying to live that crunchy dream, but do not want to upgrade to paid? Help keep the laughs rolling, the sourdough rising, and the wellness wisdom flowing. Toss a few bucks my way—because organic sarcasm and real talk deserve a little funding. 😉