Sometimes I just don’t care about money.
Or about career, hustling, blogging, early retirement, investing, saving or anything else we talk about here on this blog.
And on these days it’s very, very, hard for me to sit down and write to you about it.
So today I’m not.
Instead, I’m going to tell you what I do on days like this.
And that is: anything that keeps me away from doing something stupid!
Like buying up something ridiculous, or treating myself to something (I think) I deserve or even selling my blog for a million dollars and being done with it – hah.
Because days like this are what get us into trouble.
Slow and steady wins the race, but the times we slip can easily erase years of hard work if not careful.
We are not perfect.
We are never 100% “on”, even if it seems everyone else is.
They are not.
“Stop comparing your raw footage to everyone else’s highlight reel,” my friend Shannyn says.
So smart.
Everyone sucks sometimes!
And today – it’s me.
So I’m taking the day off and distracting myself until the mood passes.
I will be taking walks.
I will be cleaning up the house.
I will be doing tasks that don’t require any emotion or brain whatsoever.
And tomorrow, if I’m lucky, I’ll be back to being Mr. Money again :)
But whatever I do, I will not be doing anything that jeopardizes my finances today.
We work too hard to let it all slip through our fingers.
And the next time you’re not feeling it either, I recommend giving yourself a hall pass too.
One day off is better than regret!
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Happy off day! I find my no major brain activity days to be just as valuable as my most productive. I need the balance of both.
A mental health day is a good thing…..Enjoy!!!
These are the days when you are doing anything consistently guarded you need to watch for (you know, like eating a full bag of chips or 12 hot dogs, etc) Everything in moderation is valid… but so is a controlled extreme every once in a while. Good job running away from temptation, and — wow — great job writing in the blog when it looks like you really REALLY didna want to.
“Rock on with your bad self!”
Thanks S L :) It was actually pretty refreshing to publish, though I was half scared to do so.
Some times you just run out of memory and need a reboot. Enjoy it. We’ll see you soon.
“Stop comparing your raw footage to everyone else’s highlight reel,” – LOVE that line!
Yep, some days the best thing you can do is go sit under a tree. It’s a great reminder that there are other things in the world besides our own snotty selves. Plus, fresh air and sunshine are great mood lifters, too.
If all else fails, try a “Buffy. The Vampire Slayer” marathon. Enjoy your day off. :-)
“It’s a great reminder that there are other things in the world besides our own snotty selves.” – Hah! How true that is.
I love that line too!
I had figured you had extra articles stacked up from days you were crankin’ it, to cover sick baby and no energy days. You do every article in real time? Wow.
I wish I were that organized :) Every now and then I have some in the hopper, but it’s usually hard for me to get excited and “into it” unless I know it’ll be going out into the world shortly. I admire those who are like 6 mos+ ahead of time, I don’t know how they do it!
Nothing wrong with taking a day off and just wandering in a park or sitting at home and binge watching a season of the Sopranos :) Everyone needs a break, usually more than they think. Have fun today!
Been reading your archives and you’re viewpoint now is way different than it was back in 2008. Is it weird that seeing you grow gives me the knowledge that I will grow too?
Interesting! I’ve definitely gone through a ton of phases since (home ownership, marriage, kids, self-employment, etc) but of course to me it all still feels like “me” :) Great observation though – I’m sure I have changed a lot! And yes – you will too. Hopefully for the better :)
Good for you! Enjoy your day. I don’t think there’s a moment I can turn off or not care about our money. I wish I could!
If you were positive 100% of the time I would think there was something wrong with you! Like you were a robot. Or Spock!
Haha… I do try to keep it as real as I can :) This is the exact reason I’ve stopped going on Twitter & Facebook so much – people always putting out incredibly awesome crazy stuff like it’s perfect-world and then you feel bad about yourself, haha… But you can’t when you’re not on there!
As someone still adjusting to a relatively new baby, mental health days are always on the mind even if I don’t actual get any.
Something always has to give, and in my case it’s been my writing. No regrets. Just updated priorities. I’ll be back writing eventually, but right now I’m more about being a Daddy.
Kudos for giving yourself what you need and reminding us all that it’s something we all need.
You picked the right priority, my friend :)
You have to recharge….good for you for recognizing it. That’s one of the perks of the journey we’re all on, if we’re doing the best we can to make it, save it, invest it, etc…..you’ve got to enjoy it (time). That’s the purpose for me…..our money is doing what it’s supposed to, but I can’t just watch it everyday and I can’t make it accumulate any faster than it is (wish I could)….so what to do? Go enjoy the day, walk the beach, go swimming, check on veggies in the garden, go to the library are some of my favorites. Yesterday was swimming at the Y and enjoying the giant water slide…it was so fun and Kash, Jr and I had many laughs, because I’m sure that looked like a dork, but I don’t care….I know I’m still cool. Haha. Enjoy your time. Cheers!
I actually went to the library for the first time in forever!! And rented my first book for the year, haha… one, of course, on money :) Though for something different than just for myself. I’ll be sharing about it soon, pretty excited.
That’s so funny….checking out a book on money. I always end of in the financial section first, can’t help it. Hope the little one is feeling better. :)
Cleaning the house and taking walks have always been my reset buttons, too. Enjoy your mental break!
Enjoy your break, but aren’t you still on vacation? Quit posting and enjoy vacation, lol.
Seriously though, it is nice sometimes to get the $$, investments and such out of your brain and just be.
Good luck, and enjoy the vacation!
Vacation was cut short due to a sick baby :( Which probably added to my not caring since I had only gotten a few hours of sleep, haha… But I’ll be hitting up our real vacation here shortly so I’ll def. be able to unwind more!
Hmmmm…..taking a break seems OK…..When you get a chance look up Jedidiah Jenkins and what he’s up to….7000 miles… on A BIKE to Patagonia….I’m thinking… plenty of time to reflect….
Indeed, wow.
I feel you on this one! Its tough some days for sure. Life gets in the way you know?!
Im curious, about how many hours a day do you spend on all your blogs typically?
Anywhere from 6-10. Which spans mornings, days, and nights pretty randomly depending on kids and how the sites are doing. I used to spend 10-12 every day including most weekends, so I’m slowly getting better :)
We all have those days! Enjoy your day off!
I’m with you – I’m officially “off” right now, and I hope to be back “on” by next week.
Hey, Great! Open honesty makes us relate to and appreciate you more! Everybody needs a break now and then. Enjoy your break with no guilt! Take more if you want! We’re not going away.
I appreciate that :) If only the work took care of itself when I was away! Haha…
I hear ya brother! And you’re right its days like these where it’s easy to slip up. I did that a couple weeks ago when I stopped by an outlet mall. All of a sudden I was feeling the urge to be “pretty” and have new, nice clothes. But it went against what I REALLY wanted right now financially. So easy to slip!
Yes! Malls – and stores in general – are the worse when you’re having a bad day, haha… I used to spend $200+ a month shopping when I was bored or just wanting to feel better back in the day. It took 40 days of a “no spend” challenge to get me out of the habit :)
And btw, just want to thank you again so very much for your kind note you sent over yesterday. Really meant a lot.
“Stop comparing your raw footage to everyone else’s highlight reel,” – Wow, love that quote and such a great reminder. So easy to fall into that trap these days, especially with social media and everyone posting their “best stuff”, even when their financial lives could be in complete ruins for all we know.
Have a nice day off or two. :-) I find that as life throws me real problems, like sick family or friend drama, I just don’t give a crap about the details like personal finance either. I also try not to shop during those times, but my food costs do increase…
What a cool post! I actually didn’t interpret your post as taking a break but more of not jumping off the deep end and blowing everything you’ve worked so hard for in moments of boredom or weakness. I have these days too. I am the financial geek of my family…usually the one crunching numbers and saving pennies. But every once in awhile, I look at my husband and tell him that I’m tired of “living poor”. Last month, I started looking at new-to-me cars to replace my 9 year old hooptie – just because. I mean, I have the money. Why should I have to sacrifice when no one else seems to be?? My husband, thankfully, talked me down from the ledge…reminded me that we have a plan (to be financially independent, which will be far more satisfying than having a new-to-me car now). That’s what your spouses are for. You should lean on your wife during these times; I’m sure she’ll be able to get your thinking back on track…or at least keep you from regrettably blowing through money.
Your husband sounds like a catch :) Great idea leaning on your other half too – my wife was quick to ask if I wanted her to write something for me/us here and is always watching out for me. I should probably take her up on it more!
A well deserved break my friend, not a”you suck” moment at all. We’re not automatons or robots who can just do one thing “right” always. Besides, even if you’re doing what you love, you still need balance. And much as we love talking money, money all the time is not balance! Besides, we do better when we take real vacations to recharge. Hug the boys and Mrs. and enjoy.
Thanks friend, I’ll hug them twice for you :)
So true. Step away when you are feeling “off”. I tend to make terrible decisions when I just don’t care…or when I drink vodka…or both.
Glad you are taking some time for yourself to just relax and not think about anything money related. I hope you have a great day off!
Watch a cool documentary about travel and accomplishment, that always gets me out of the funk, that and taking a nap.
I miss naps!!
A good friend of mine once told me to stop comparing my insides to other people’s outsides. Keeps me grounded when I’m flailing about because I’m not perfect yet! Good to see you’re still human! Enjoy a peaceful day, it’ll all still be here tomorrow. So glad to have you in my life.
I like that way of thinking about it too – smart friend :)
Whose world is this? The world is yours, the world is yours.
Sounds like a mental health day! I am always good for a few every year….ENJOY!
I’m having a day that like too, so I didn’t post at my blog at all today… Oh well! We all need a little break now and then.
I hope you’re having a better one today and back in action! :)
Totally agree. Sometimes I just have to step back and clear the old brain. Always better than spending into oblivion and regretting it later. Hope you have a good day off and are able to refresh and rejuvenate.
Agree with others who love the line about raw footage and highlight reel.
On the down side, what do I do if I wake up every day not caring? Is that okay?
Are you financially free? :)
I hear you!!! I am planning to take the next four days to reboot and give my mind a rest. We all reach a breaking point where we need to reset our psyche. Good luck resetting yours! I know you will come back better than ever!
Nice! 4 days is a lot!
You only get one life, and taking time to recharge is a needed part of it. Enjoy!
Missing out on some compulsive spending opportunities I see. That is a good thing. Some people go shopping and have nothing on their list that they need, then wonder why they spent so much money. Just being aware of spending habits almost instantly changes them…
I just love your blog! I really do, I’m just saying that. You keep it real, you keep in simple and you make me want to stay on track even when I don’t feel like it .Thanks for all you do! :)
You’re so sweet – thank you Jessie! That makes me so happy!
I’m just starting to read your blog. I need financial advice and I hope I can something here that will help me. Thanks.
I hope so too :) You caught me on a weird day – poke around the archives and see what you can find! Some of my favorite posts are on the right there in the sidebar.
(and hilarious on your next comment, haha… I fixed for you :))
I guess sometimes I just don’t care either. I messed up my own blog address.
Having that self-awareness to know one of those moods has taken you, and to put yourself out of harms way temporarily, is just an awesome characteristic to have. It’s so much easier to just let your moods rule you.
I have to employ this same strategy often, and more than anything just try to make sure I don’t do anything stupid to damage my relationships or health. Money is far easier to replace!
Take care J Money!
Cheers,
Jason
Indeed! Have a great weekend, my man!
I recently visited Japan and ever since I’ve returned home I just haven’t gotten back into my blogging groove and I only post twice a week.
Well that sounds fun! What did you do over there?
We all deserve time off when we’re burned out. 2-3 times a year my husband & I flop in bed, watch Star Trek movies all day & don’t even change out of our pj’s! Those lazy days help us recharge our batteries. Enjoy your time off! All work & no play is not healthy.
Yup, I’ve had quite a few “not feelin’ it” days this month myself. The best thing we can do is just give ourselves a break and find a way to hit that reset button.. without, as you pointed out, doing anything stupid ;) Give yourself the space you need and enjoy that time!
Hey J. Thanks for sharing this could not have come at a better time. I had one of those days yesterday and the thing the does it for me is lots of reading. There are always books for me to finish up, and it feels good to just devote myself to them sometimes. Thanks for the reminder.
That’s a great tip actually, and oddly enough I picked up my first book all year at the library :) I hope you’re doing better today brotha!
Someone wise once said “it’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small.” Enjoy!
“Stop comparing your raw footage to everyone else’s highlight reel” – this is such an amazing metaphor. We all have good days and bad days, even if we don’t see everyone else’s bad days. Time to cut ourselves some slack, take the day off, and start again tomorrow!
Bingo
Wishing you better days ahead!!
I love it – you’re being real dude. Let’s face it, as bloggers we aren’t perfect. We try to come up with stuff to write, but it’s not always going to be amazing. If we aren’t being ourselves, then what the hell are we doing here. I feel you man — and thanks for being one of the only people to actually say it in a post. I might do the same…
Yeah man, can’t be on point all the time, ya know?
Sometimes I feel like this too. I think everyone does at one point in their lives. It’s great that you are being real and genuine! Give yourself a break!
Amen J$. Amen. Have a good day.
Preach!I definitely need to remind myself of this whenever I have an off day – I need to distract myself from doing something stupid!