Learning How To Not Plan For Everything
The plans we lay out in front of us are not always going to be the ones we will actually take. Often we think we have our journey and life decisions all planned out. However, this thinking is often why it becomes so aggravating when these “plans” are suddenly changed or destroyed altogether. The good news, these changes do not always have to be bad!
Learning to not plan for everything
One of the biggest things I am guilty of is trying to plan for ALL of the variables in life. This includes attempting to figure out how different outcomes may influence my overall expenses. As you can likely imagine, this way of thinking is nearly impossible to achieve. Unless I am pre-cognizant, I have to come to terms with the reality I am not going to be able to plan for everything. This is especially true in my budget. Although I have worked hard to structure everything in such a way as to protect as much as possible, it can still fail. I am not alone. Many of us struggle with this exact same problem. We are trying to do everything right with the expectation of everything running smoothly. I hate to break it to you, but it won’t. The sooner you can come to terms with this hard reality, the better.
Understanding bad things happen, even to good people
One of the easiest things we can do when something bad DOES happen is being shocked as to how this could happen to you. You are budgeting, working, and doing everything right. Yet, you were just in a car accident, struck with medical issues, loss of a job, etc. This does not mean you are being punished or you have done something wrong. It especially does not mean it is the end. No one ever said life is fair, and we are proven this sad fact time and again. All you can do is accept what comes your way and move forward. The key though is to MOVE. Staying and fixating on what has gone wrong will only prolong the ability for you to move past it.
It does not all have to be bad, and it may not always appear good right away
Unexpected changes in the plans you have in life do not always have to be bad. Often times there are positive aspects to these things which alter our course. Your job, for example, may suddenly require you to move to a better climate with better pay. Another change may be finding out you are about to start a family. Change may also come in the form of something negative, at first. One example of an unplanned detour on to another assignment for work which leads to you quitting or getting fired. However, through your time with the alternative job you gained the skills another company wants to hire you on for with a better salary. Ultimately, there are always going to be some kind of silver-linings to every situation. It is your job to remain calm and patient to look for them
Remember discomfort with change won’t last forever, it will get easier
Although this post does not have much content with regards to finances, it serves an important purpose. So often we hear about struggles others are going through with finances. There are turmoil and heartache during a time when it should be a climb to get out of these debt and money pitfalls. However, there is this nature of forgetting that life is unpredictable. For example, you may never have a full emergency fund due to the constant need to use it. Unfortunately, this is exactly what it is going to happen, because that is what that fund is there for. Eventually, this will pass, and you will be able to move forward. Be patient. We all move through different phases of our financial journey at different speeds. You will get through this.