Purge-Take Back Control

“Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou will always look.” Marcus Aurelius

My first objective after I completed my spending plan was to get free of all the useless and damaging things I had acquired. When I reviewed how I was spending both my time and money, I was amazed to see how many subconscious decisions I was making that were keeping me from evolving into my essential self.

I had acquired many things that became part of my familiar landscape, yet both my actions and possessions had become a sort of prison that kept me trapped in a stagnant past. My first action was to purge the nonessentials from my life and achieve both my financial and emotional independence.

My money trail quickly identified my spending habits that were both expensive and emotionally empty. My budgeting trail revealed that I had unconsciously wandered away from what was important to me. I also realized that I could find my way back to fulfillment by simply changing my decision making, one day at a time.

The primary driver in my Senior Essence journey is to achieve financial independence, even if it meant beginning with less. So, I began to purge my life of all unhealthy spending. Immediately less led to a healthier me. And although this sounds simple, it was difficult to achieve without a set of accountability tools and partners.

In Practice: I will slowly eliminate everything that is non-essential for a joyful and meaningful living experience. This includes people, things, and habits that don’t serve who I’m becoming. I rely on my financial tools, my calendar, and my accountability partners as barometers of success. I begin with the small and easy before attempting harder change.

Action Item: download a budgeting tool and net worth tool to begin tracking your money. If you require help, hire a coach who can not only help you set up your financial tool kit, but also provide guidance should you get lost. I’ve also found an accountability group to be helpful in changing deeply embedded habits.