Curing The Financial Independence Hangover

Curing The Financial Independence Hangover

As a young medical student and resident, I always approached call days with a mix of fear, anxiety, and loathing.  After working 36 hours straight, one couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with exhaustion both physically and mentally.  I see this phenomenon with other parts of life also.  Whenever one faces a strenuous physical or emotional event, completion can lead not to exultation but more likely burnout and depression.  Financial independence is no different.  Often the energy to take the million little micro steps that lead to financial freedom can be taxing.  Whether it is selling a car, firing a financial advisor, or changing jobs, upon completion one can’t help but feel like the morning after an overindulgent night at the local bar.  Curing the financial independence hangover, however, is quite possible with a little know how and preemptive planning.

So how do we escape the headache and nausea post making big financial decisions?

Unbundle

We tend to bundle big decisions.  It has something to do with the psychology of change.  Once a big decision is made, it is common to jump in head first.  While this may feel emotionally satisfying, it can have profound downstream effects.

Taking charge of one’s finances and planning a better future is exciting.  Once we latch on to the simple path to wealth, we want more than anything to make it happen immediately.   The road to success all of the sudden becomes clear.  The hurdles, however, can be daunting.  

Even something as s simple as selling a car can take time.  Then add in finding a new job, cutting expenses, and getting rid of all sorts of extras.  As empowering as this may be, it is a lot of change at once.  

Making all these life altering moves can feel good while actively in the midst of transforming, but can lead to fatigue both emotional and physical upon completion.  

Curing the financial independence hangover, in this case, is simply done by uncoupling big decisions and slowing down.  Change does not have to occur  instantaneously.  It is fine to change jobs this month, alter budgets next month, and maybe move in a year.

Financial freedom is a marathon not a sprint.  Relax, slow down, and enjoy the ride.

Perfect Is The Enemy

Perfect is the enemy of good.  Perfect requires the exact right mix of luck, effort, and timing.  These things take quite a bit of energy.  Concentrating on  ideal can lead to much time and patience that is better spent elsewhere.  

It is also daunting to think about how hard it is to bring perfection to multiple different avenues of one’s financial life.  Often reaching this much sought after peak can leave one tired and listless when the next task comes around the corner.

Curing the financial independence hangover means excepting good enough more of the time.  Life success was never made or broken by the exact right asset allocation, spotless budget, or side hustle.

There is no shame in settling when appropriate.

Don’t Confuse The Goal With The Goalpost

Financial independence is a goalpost.  A road sign.  We must never forget that it is not ultimately the goal.  The goal is something much more profound.  The goal is the why of FI.  The purpose, identity , and connection that we are buying with this hard earned freedom.  

It sometimes is hard to remember this.  Caught in the weeds of our journey, we forget that ultimately our path is long and winding.  Curing the financial independence hangover is best served by remembering ultimately why we are making this expedition.  

Money, nor asset allocation, nor real estate, nor any of this matters a lick other than as tools to get us where we want to go.  Fuel for our rocket ship.  

It helps to remember this.

Final Thoughts

The many steps that lead to financial independence can be daunting at times and emotionally exhausting.  Reaching our goals, one by one, can lead to fatigue and burnout if we are not careful.  Curing the financial independence hangover means unbundling big decisions, accepting good enough, and keeping our eye on the goal and not the goalpost.

With a little forethought and planning, we will make it comfortably to the next night of debauchery.