Financial Freedom + Self Care

SnowBallBunny

doingitanyway wrote: »

You sound so positive and kind that I am sure you will do okay. I am also a creative and it is hard when you are not able to be as 'creatively free' as you would like. Keep going as I am sure you will find a way

Thanks doingitanyway! I was touched by this lovely comment. I've been feeling so stressed and physically tired while also trying my best. I'm glad that I sound positive, I'm looking at solutions to this issue.

SnowBallBunny

Good news: Accountancy Bill has been paid! Thank goodness. I did it. :T

Tonight I'm going to tailor my CV for a job application. My job search will be on hold over Christmas as things get quieter. I think Christmas will give me a chance to study and to reset my sleep.

I paid something off today!

SnowBallBunny

Financial Update:

Question: Should I stop paying into my Emergency Fund?: I added £200 to my Emergency Fund so I have £400 in there now.

I think I need a change of plan. The different bills, minimal payments, debts and this snowball plan need to be simplified as it's adding to my stress. I'm also exhausted already and a part-time job may not be the best thing for me health wise and also it's another complication tax-wise.

Answer
Yes, now that I have the £400 set aside, I want to use any other income to pay off the debt.
If I needed to pay for an unexpected expense then I think that's a reasonable amount to have. If I had to find another job, it would cover my expenses/bills for about two weeks.

Question: Permanent Role or Contract Role?
This issue of permanent job v self employment contract has been on my mind.
Which is really just a case of Lower pay and stability v Higher pay and higher risk.

Answer: Permanent Role
Steady, stable income that I can use to pay off debt and eventually start saving money.

Question: How do I stop fixating on the debt? It is draining.
I think about it all teh time and it's causing me so much stress, limiting my sleep and making me feel sad unecessarily. It's also making me feel overly sensitive about other things, which isn't fair/

Answer: Stop
I need to have a laugh. I watched some comedy clips on Youtube yesterday and laughed for the first time in ages. I also need to do other things, take walks, see friends.

I feel scared about my future. My sister is my closest friend and when she moves out, she'll be moving to another city. Not that far away but it'll be strange not living with her. At the same time, it was going to happen. Maybe I feel like this because of the instability of my finances. I can find it hard to trust people I know that I need to build stronger friendships where I am more open with people. As well as stronger relationships with cousins and family members. Maybe this situation will encourage me to do so.

I also can't believe that I let the debt persist for so long. That's scary, I'm better than this. I can and will do better than this.

There is so much I thought I would have done and achieved creatively and personally by now. I feel so dissapointed in myself. At the same time I just need to pull myself out of this way of thinking. I don't judge other people like this. I always see their talents, opportunities and potential. *Sigh* I didn't come here to complain DFWs, I just wanted to share a bit more than usual.

I think I need to focus on improving my Finances, Health and having more Hope.

As always, thanks for reading.

doingitanyway

All the answers to questions you pose I agree with.

Think about your comment about not judging others and try to apply it yourself and give yourself a break.

I wonder if a bit physical activity might help (I am rubbish at motivating myself to do it but when I do I feel better, sleep better and the other stuff begins to fall into place)

I also find trust an issue. Many creatives are sensitive souls who takes slights to heart and are natural introverts but you seem aware.

Try not to worry about the past. Don't be disappointed in past you, be proud of current you who is working to make a change and build a better foundation for future you

SnowBallBunny

doingitanyway wrote: »

All the answers to questions you pose I agree with.

Think about your comment about not judging others and try to apply it yourself and give yourself a break.

I wonder if a bit physical activity might help (I am rubbish at motivating myself to do it but when I do I feel better, sleep better and the other stuff begins to fall into place)

I also find trust an issue. Many creatives are sensitive souls who takes slights to heart and are natural introverts but you seem aware.

Try not to worry about the past. Don't be disappointed in past you, be proud of current you who is working to make a change and build a better foundation for future you

Thanks for your kind words doingitanyway.

Yes, I do need to be gentler and kinder to myself. I agree, physical activity would help. It's funny, when you feel down, you can feel discouraged from doing the very things that would make you feel better...like exercise. Even though swimming, walking and yoga are things that I actually enjoy. I took a short walk to the shops today and I can build on that and walk more, like I used to.

What you said about trust really resonated with me. I am starting to see things differently though. I'm working on not taking things personally - well not as much as before.

Also noone is perfect, there are good people who make mistakes or missteps (me included) so some friendships are worth working on or reviving in some cases. Thanks again, your comments are always so encouraging. :beer:

MeenaM

wishing you a good Christmas and a healthy plus happy new year!

doingitanyway

Happy Christmas and keep going. It gets easier.

SnowBallBunny

MeenaM wrote: »

wishing you a good Christmas and a healthy plus happy new year!

Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year too! Thanks for thinking of me.

SnowBallBunny

doingitanyway wrote: »

Happy Christmas and keep going. It gets easier.

Awwww thanks for your encouragement! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Happy Christmas Snowball I hope you have a good one :xmassign::xmastree: