Health (11/8/2025)

On health, money, and the things we can control

It’s been a minute. Sorry for the longer-than-expected hiatus, life has been... a lot lately. 🫠 The past few months have been full of big highs, tough lows, and plenty of reminders that balance might just be a myth we’re all chasing.

Yesterday I closed the book on a professional chapter of my life, and as I look ahead to a fresh start on the other side of this weekend, I find myself doing what I often do in moments of transition: reflecting on what’s unfolded, what I’ve learned, and what I want to share with you next.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about health - physical, emotional, and financial…and just how tightly those three are intertwined.

Over the last couple of months I lost count of how many hospital visits I made. It feels like every week someone I care about is facing a health scare, experiencing a medical miracle, or getting heartbreaking news. It’s been a reminder of how much in life is completely out of our control…. and yet, how much still is.

Money, in many ways, isn’t all that different. There’s deep unfairness in where we start, and an enormous amount of luck, both good and bad, that shapes our paths. But there are also the choices we make: wonderful, terrible, and everything in between, each one shifting our trajectory bit by bit.

What’s really struck me through all of this is how often our financial health bleeds into our physical health. Studies show financial stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety in adults and is linked to higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep disorders. In fact, chronic financial stress activates the same fight-or-flight response that our bodies evolved for actual survival, not for “WTF with the credit card bill this month?!” survival. 😬

So when we take care of our financial well-being (when we budget, save, plan, and create a sense of control) we’re not just improving our bank account balances and credit scores. We’re lowering our heart rates. We’re sleeping better. We’re giving our future selves a fighting chance at calm. 💆‍♀️

And while I absolutely believe that money doesn’t buy happiness, it does buy options. The ability to take time off when life throws you a curveball. To care for someone you love without panic. To say no to what doesn’t serve you, or to move toward something that does. Money offers not status, but security.

So as I move into this next chapter (and maybe as you are, too) I’m reminding myself that taking care of our finances isn’t just about being “good with money.” It’s about protecting our health, our relationships, and our capacity to handle whatever comes next.

The good news? Just like physical health, financial health doesn’t require perfection. It thrives on consistency. A few small, steady habits like automating savings, paying down debt, or keeping tabs on your spending, do more for your long-term peace of mind than any dramatic overhaul ever could. It’s kind of like brushing your teeth (as I try to convince my four-year-old every night) tiny, boring, daily maintenance can save you a world of pain later.

So whether you’re recovering from a chaotic season, starting fresh, or just trying to stay upright in a year that’s been… a lot 😳… give yourself credit for any step you’re taking to strengthen your financial and emotional foundation. Every little bit counts.

Here’s to fresh starts, calmer minds, and healthier bank accounts 🥂 and to taking care of all parts of ourselves, one intentional choice at a time.

Thank you, as always, for reading and for allowing me into your inbox (and sometimes, your headspace). The cadence of this newsletter will be a bit different going forward – more “when the world or life sparks something worth sharing” than strict weekly scheduling. But I promise when you do hear from me, it’ll be timely, thoughtful, and (hopefully) helpful.

And I’d love to hear from you, too - what’s been on your mind lately? What’s feeling timely, confusing, or worth unpacking when it comes to your money and life? Hit reply anytime. I always read your notes. 🩷