Don’t put your life on hold for your future self

I always thought my future self would appreciate the sacrifices I made today. So I worked my ass off since I was 17. I normalized chronic stress and short nights. And I even spent less time with my loved ones, all so I could achieve more.

I convinced myself it was worth it. That one day the reward would come: enough money, enough time, and a life that finally felt relaxed.

Instead of slowing down, I always sought a new challenge. Every few years, I choose a new profession: mortgage advisor, business analyst, product owner, data scientist, coach. Each time, I started over and found a new reason to go all in again.

When I started my own business in 2020, it got worse. I was not just doing my work; I also needed to learn marketing, sales, finance, and operations. Although I was freakin’ productive, my to-do list never shrank.

I did it for her. She was the one who deserved the good life. But my current self was the one paying the price.

After a near-death experience in 2024, I realized I was sacrificing today for a future I might never see. If I kept pushing my health limits, I might not even live as long.

So I hit the pause button and thought about what a good life would look like.

What was truly important to me? And what was already possible?

I discovered that I could start living my dream life. I just hadn’t allowed myself to do it.

What I loved most was nearly free: cuddling with my dogs and husband, walking in nature, enjoying good conversations with friends, writing, reading, volunteering at the dog shelter (and cuddling even more dogs).

The only thing standing between me and my dream life was my addiction to hard work.

We need money to survive. The question is: how much do you really need? And can you earn that in an easy way instead of a hard one?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my work. Coaching entrepreneurs and see them grow makes me really happy.

But I don’t want to postpone living my ideal life for the sake of more money. So I choose less clients on purpose.

You might not have that choice and feel trapped now because money is tight. I lived that way for years. But it does get easier at some point.

However, when it gets easier, most people want to upgrade their lives with more things, a bigger house, or a nicer car.

There’s nothing wrong with that if it truly brings you joy. Just remember that every upgrade raises your cost of living. And if your lifestyle becomes heavier, you have to carry more weight.

You and your loved ones grow older every day, and there’s no way to get time back. So it’s wise to reflect regularly to see if you are on the right track.

What do you enjoy, and how much permission do you give yourself to enjoy it?

How much time do you spend with the people you love? And are you emotionally available, or just there physically?

What would you do differently if you only had five more years to live?

What if you had just one year left?

What if it was only one week?

And what would happen if you made every day count?

Till next week,

Yvette