Moving on with things

Willowtree222

Yes, We are all work in progress. I don't think we ever fully stop being. We might feel we've got it, but most of us have to work at it constantly. 

I know I'll likely be a lifetime work in progress! I am an emotional spender and that's a hard habit to break. 

Sorry you've not been well. The changing weather doesn't help. 

enthusiasticsaver

A bit late but Happy New Year. Those CC debts look like they are under control and you have some good financial plans. The soa seems ok for someone with your size of income and in comparison to a few years back much more balanced. It also sounds like the move worked well for you. A new start. I look forward to reading about your progress over the year. 

Baileys_Babe

I started Atomic Habits around the same time you did. I'm having difficulties concentrating currently, even reading your post from yesterday I became distracted a few times and needed to reread it. Usually when I have problems concentrating it is because of ongoing poor sleep, my mental health playing up, problems that need to be resolved playing on my mind or a combination of all three. I'm putting the book aside for a few weeks and I will try again.

Andyjflet

I' reading Atomic Habits too, just started last night. 

the_end_of_the_rainbow

Not heard from you for a while @alt80 - hope you’re ok

alt80

I have been meaning to post before now. I've been struggling with my thoughts/ mental health. I've lots to be happy about and grateful for, and I have been making an effort with my family but have a lot of thoughts about myself, that my family should have better, negative thoughts, etc, that aren't good for me. I've been working a lot because it distracts me from my thoughts, but I get to the point that I'm just exhausted. I never have recovered from years of chronic stress - it comes back too quickly when I push myself to achieve something again, which causes negative thoughts— !!!!!! cycle of thinking I'll be alright this time, pushing myself, !!!!!! panic attacks and failing to achieve the next goal. My wife wants me to just admit defeat, slow down and let the business work itself in its current form tbf if I thought differently and didn't wind up feeling utterly !!!!!! about myself I would really like to spend more time with my family and stay fairly static from a business/ financial pov but I can't get away from the thoughts that income is the only positive thing I can provide for my family.

Some good news on the financial front:

January 24

Card Balances

CC1 ...........................£16,085 (0% for 16 months)
CC2 ...........................£1,450 (Looking forward to this being £0 in February - this one is going to be an account I will close)

CC3............................£0 (Day to day card, no longer showing a carried forward interest baring balance)

CC4 ...........................£1,170 (0% for 7 months, looking to have paid it off in March, however)

Total Card Balance...£18,705 - under £20k, finally!

Personal aims for the quarter I am not doing so well with.
1. Atomic Habits: Still slowly reading James Clear, I stopped for a bit struggling with the idea of building better habits and having to confront some of the more negative ones. Started reading it again now though, I'll read it and then read it again making notes/ an action plan and start to actually work through the concepts. 
2. Couch to 5k: !!!!!! dismal not been out once.
3. Personal finances automation, watched a few videos and read a few articles on VBA to automate into an Excel file.  I'll keep you updated. 
4. Sleep has been as bad as ever really.

RelievedSheff

Good to hear from you Alt.

Some good news and not so good news in there.

Hopefully with time you can start to relax about your finances and about work. I'm sure it will come.

Spend some quality time with your family and relax.

Have you got any holidays planned for this year to look forward too?

mark55man

well done Alt80 - milestones like that are a compliment to your discipline and approach (even if you may not feel it).  I preferred killing the cards one by one rather than total based targets.

Possibly the most important though is the ability to keep a day to day spend card under control thats what you will be able to build on

katsu

Massive congrats on being under 20k. 

I hope you can come to reframe those thoughts; you aren't just giving your family an income. You are a person of value in yourself. If your wife would like you to let the business stay as it is and spend time with your family then its not a defeat but a well- deserved reward for your hard work. 

enthusiasticsaver

Well done on getting those cards under £20k.  I wish you could see what even us as strangers see which is a man whose mindset seems to be completely different to a few years back.  You did not seem to value what you had and you still seem to lack confidence and self worth so I hope the therapists are working on that with you.  You seem very focused and the fact your wife wants you to slow down and spend time with them indicates she is supportive  too.  

I think planning some things to  look forward to may help you too.  How is the new house shaping up?  Do you have much work to do on it?