Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

My whole life has changed. I’ve hinted at it, written about it, cried about it…all the things.

But for the first time, I think ever, I come first. And for some reason that I can’t pinpoint, I really started taking, taking care of myself seriously about 2 months ago. Don’t get me wrong, I dabbled a bit in self care over the years, off and on. But never consistently.

But now…it’s a daily focus. Every day. First thing.

Every morning, I’m up before the sun. And at the lake with a dog. We are walking. I am listening to music, podcast, talking to God. Screaming. And then sitting and just breathing.

Those who have read my life here all these years know that I have been through all sorts of ups and downs. Many of my own making, some completely out of my control. I always put what I believe was best for my kids first. Truly nothing else mattered.

But now…now it’s about me. What’s best for me. Walking clears my head. Being proud of 10,000 steps before 7am starts out every day strong. And when I get home, I sit with God and I ask for wisdom, a clear path. Then I dive into the day beginning with reviewing my finances before work.

I’ve finally started to decide on some things for “post kids to support” which will officially be a thing a year from now. Princess will have graduated, have a full time job (she’s got a post-grad offer with a fantastic salary,) and be paying all her own bills.

I have decided to go to Texas this next month. I’m driving and leaving the trip open ended, but expecting to be there 2-3 weeks. I can work from anywhere so no challenges there. My life is changing. I’m ready for it.

And God, I love my mornings at the lake. (And I’ve learned that going so early with nothing planned for hours makes all the difference in the book. It’s me time and I’m not rushing it for anything or anyone anymore. It’s me time.)

Hope

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.