The past few days I have been reflecting a lot on financials. Probably because I waited pretty much until the last possible minute to do my taxes but that’s besides the point! 🙂 I have shifted my perspective that money equates to wealth and success and have adopted the concept that my health is wealth instead.
From Six Figures to Simplicity
If you are newer here you might not know my story. I left my successful corporate job in 2023 and the only explanation I have for you is because I knew in my gut I needed to. Sounds crazy even to me to say it out loud. I left my six figure income all on a gut feeling. And I was the breadwinner of our family!
As I did my taxes yesterday it was crazy to see that last year I made less than I did my first year out of college. Yet I am a much happier version of myself than I was at corporate. And for sure more rested.
You see one of the big drivers of me leaving was to be more present in my life. I wanted to be there afterschool for my daughter. I wanted to do more than just pick her up and rush to make dinner and do bed. I traded a seat at the C-suite table for a seat at the DINNER table. And I don’t regret it one bit.
Health is the New Wealth
Additionally I started putting myself first. Especially with my health. I don’t just mean physical health either. I mean my holistic health – mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. And I started investing in ME. I joined a mastermind for women in business. I made movement a part of my daily routine, and not just for survival mode like when in corporate. That means being present while I move versus hurrying up because I had (another!) Teams meeting to hop on. Journaling has become an almost daily practice now. Plus I go to therapy every other week.
I made a commitment to invest in MYSELF and my health. Because jobs come and go. Money can come and go. People in your life even come and go. But what is always there for you is YOU. And your body. But you only get one. So how you take care of it and how you choose to age is something no one else can do for you.
For me health is my new wealth. I am committed to putting myself first during midlife so I can be around for the long haul. I want to be able to carry my groceries to the car when I am 80. I had my daughter later in life so if she chooses to have kids I am probably going to be an old grandma. I don’t want my body to be old and immobile where I can’t play with my grandkids if I am fortunate to have them. I don’t want to simply age – I want to age WELL!
Role Models in Longevity
I look at my grandmas and they are insprirations to me. One is 91 and still cleans her house, plays bridge with her girlfriends, and lives an idependent life. My other one is 90 and still snowblows her driveway, makes homemade EVERYTHING and even does “light electrical” work in the house (as in rewiring circuits!) They are my inspiration to put my health first. Up until this winter as a 42 year old I had all four of my grandparents still alive. My FIRST grandparent passed away this year – at the young age of 97. I know I have good longevity genes on my side. I’ll be damned if I don’t capitalize on that.
So I measure wealth a little differently these days. It’s not about how much money I have in my bank account. It’s about how I FEEL inside of my body. It’s the little things like being grateful that I have no injuries or ailments holding me back. It’s about being able to nourish my body with nutrient dense food. Truly it’s the little things in my day that make me wealthy. Because without my health I don’t think the money would matter anyway.
One of my favorite ways to nourish my body is with recipes full of fiber, protein and nutrient dense veggies like this Red Wine Beef Barley Soup.
