How was the two weeks Asgard? What did you learn?
How is your first week back?
Hey Arebelspy,
I learned a lot during those two weeks and moved forward a lot in my opinion. I actually really managed to convince myself that this was not a normal vacation (getting away from something I don't like with leisure/pleasure being the main pursuit).
I regularly helped my dad up his yard twice a week which really made me feel like working part time for perhaps 2 days a week in a field I like or to help others/be with others is something I want to do after FI. I definitely don't want to stop paid work completely, I like the idea of supplementing my income and having some extra fun money. I might decide to start a small business though instead that does not take up too much time and is not something too stressful although I think a lot of that stress will be taken away given the circumstance I should be in.
I did things that I intellectual know and can tell others about and firmly believe myself but just never really fully did before. For example, not sure if anyone has noticed but I have not posted at all during the last few weeks. I have completely let go of any obsession about becoming FI. I have not gone over my spreadsheets other than filling in my manually tracked expenses, I have lessened my grip on thoughts such as 'I MUST save exactly $1750 a month', ,I need to get exactly this return', 'I must reach FI in 5 years and not any longer'. I still have those aims but I am no where near as attached to it. I must say I feel a lot better now.
I have put my effort into what I'm doing now, tomorrow etc and have stopped delaying living the life I want which I have been doing for a long time. Money and finances have taken the back seat and haven't troubled my mind, I have setup everything. Already done my research, changed my habits, put a plan in place that's flexible so I simply don't need to think about it.
On my weeks off, I have been preparing for two weddings, cleaned and tidied my house, seen many friends, treated people to gifts, read more books, watched video learning from the great courses and done some writing. I have looked into going on a counselling course at college to possible start a new career. To sum it up, it's been about doing rather than just leisure/pleasure but it's been great. Of course 2 weeks is far too short to know how things will be after 3 months, 1 year etc but it's been a nice sampler and has had great benefits for me.
It's funny, August has been a very expensive 5 week month (monthly wage has to last 5 weeks), with 2 weddings, 2 stag doos, $1000 body repair on my car and yet I still have managed to save $100, not being so attached and being completely willing/enjoying spending money on what I feel brings value has been great.
My first week back - I was a lot more calm and relaxed at work. I have a lot more appreciation and gratitude for my situation. Knowing that even now, I probably have 10 years of expenses in my stash gives that security to really push money concerns out of my mind from both ends, worrying about not having enough for the essentials (average person) or not having enough compared to your idealised/FI target amount.
Chris