Feeling discouraged about your financial situation right now? Read this for some encouragement!
Someone wrote in earlier this week expressing how they feel overwhelmed by the idea of budgeting because they feel like they are so far behind that trying to set up a budget will just discourage them more.
My heart went out to them… because I know so many are struggling right now and sometimes it feels safer and easier in the short-term to just avoid looking at the numbers.
But I want to gently encourage you to stop feeling behind. There is no specific designation of what “ahead” and “behind” are — so you can choose to stop allowing yourself to feel behind.
I think of Flylady. I used to follow her years ago when I was first married. (Anyone else?) She gives practical advice for how to keep your home and life in order in little bite-sized pieces every day.
One of the things I remember her saying so often was, “You are not behind! Start right where you are!” She encouraged people to just jump in where they were and start chipping away at their clutter and cleaning. Because doing something is doing something — and it will make a difference!
I think the same can be applied to budgeting. If you go into budgeting feeling behind, you’ve already started out discouraged and defeated.
If, instead, you choose to start right where you are and do what you can, you’ll be slowly taking baby steps that are going to change your financial trajectory.
Yes, you may have some financial messes to clean up. Yes, you may need to clear out some expenditure clutter and get some more organized systems to help you track what you’re making and what you’re spending.
But start right where you are and do what you can.
Don’t let the piles of bills deter you.
Don’t let the lack of a good system defeat you.
Don’t let your feelings of not knowing how to do a budget discourage you.
Don’t compare yourself to other people’s financial situations.
Stay in your own lane. Celebrate every tiny win. Surround yourself with people who will cheer you on in your journey.
And keep taking that next little step step and the next little step! I’m cheering you on!!
