I know this post is a little later than usual. Yesterday, I was too caught up in my everyday work to think about anything else. But today I’ve been thinking a lot about sacrifice, seasons of life, and how everything is temporary.

Earlier this year, I was deep in work mode: long days, late nights, grinding to push my business forward. But over the last few weeks, I’ve slowed down. I’ve spent more time with family, met new people, and simply allowed myself to relax - to do, well… nothing. It’s like I’d been holding my breath underwater for ages, and now I’ve finally come up for air.

And now that I'm breathing again, I can actually see how far I’ve come. When I was in the middle of it, it felt like I was stuck - like all that work wasn’t taking me anywhere. But now I can see that it's paid off.

Right now, I’m letting myself enjoy the summer holidays, knowing that when they’re over, I’ll switch gears again. Of course, there’ll be days that feel draining or discouraging - but I’ve learned those feelings always pass, and the long-term payoff makes it worth it.

It takes sacrifice to build the life you truly want - and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I actually think it makes it even better. Because the harder something is to achieve, the more meaningful it feels when you finally get there.

One of the biggest achievements for me? Finally building up a fund that covers about 12 months of expenses. Freedom has always been one of my core values, and knowing our bills are covered for a year gives me peace of mind and space to focus on what really matters.

Six months ago, I honestly couldn’t see how to make that happen. But I knew my priority was to build that safety net - and to keep going until it was there. I won’t lie: it wasn’t easy. It meant a lot to me to have that security, but for a long time it really felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.

So if you feel stuck right now - working hard and making sacrifices without seeing any results - trust that you are moving forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. Keep going. Because when that progress finally shows up, it won’t just feel good - it’ll give you the energy and belief to keep going even further.

Now I’m starting to think about my next goal: moving house. Not long ago, it felt impossible - and honestly, it wasn’t really a priority for me. Back then, my main focus was building the business and creating a safety net for my family. But now, it actually feels realistic over the next couple of years.

I’m not dreaming of anything huge or flashy - I don’t want to be tied down by a massive mortgage. Just somewhere different, maybe with an extra bedroom so the boys can each have their own space. Maybe even a bit further north.

I’m sharing this because I know how easy it is to feel like you’re not getting anywhere. But when you focus on one thing at a time - the thing that matters most - you can get there. Hit that milestone, then move on to the next. Don’t try to fix everything all at once. Just take the first step.

Yes, sacrifices are part of it. But if you truly want your goals, you’ll make them. Material things aren’t what bring real happiness. But freedom? Freedom gives you choices. And choices bring peace.

Ask yourself: what matters more - having a fancy watch or house and living pay cheque to pay cheque? Or having enough savings to leave a toxic job, walk away from a bad relationship, or just take a break without panicking about bills? When you live pay cheque to pay cheque, you don’t have real freedom - employers or circumstances hold power over you. But savings buy you power, freedom, and less stress.

And stress? Stress is awful. It damages your health and affects everyone around you. So take a moment to write down what really matters to you. If freedom and health are at the top, don’t tie yourself to a huge mortgage or the rat race just because “that’s what people do.” Society and marketing are constantly telling us to spend more, buy more, want more. If you don’t have a plan and don’t spend in line with your values, it’s so easy to get caught up chasing things that don’t actually bring joy - just a quick dopamine hit - and end up feeling trapped.

If you don’t know where to start, start so small it’s impossible not to do. Maybe you get coffee out every day. Don't just stop buying coffee. Skip just two days this week. If that still feels too hard, then skip one coffee this week. The goal isn’t to be overly strict - it’s to build small, doable habits that prove to yourself you can change. Over time, those tiny wins really add up.

Think of it like training for a marathon: you don’t start by running 26 miles. You start with a walk. Then a jog. Consistency is what builds strength and confidence.

And yes, change is uncomfortable. But that discomfort means you’re stretching and growing. Every time you step outside your comfort zone, you build resilience and momentum.

Some choices will feel tough - but keep your “why” in mind. Focus on what truly matters to you, and don’t get distracted by shiny things that don’t fit your values. It’s never worth it. Change won’t happen overnight, and sometimes it might feel painfully slow. But with patience and consistency, real progress does come.

Mindset matters - more than we often realise. The stories you tell yourself - “I’m bad with money,” “I’ll never get out of debt” - can hold you back more than any external obstacle.

Try writing down the limiting beliefs you have about money. Just being aware of them can loosen their grip. Most of them probably come from childhood or past experiences - but that doesn’t mean they’re your reality forever. You can choose to change them.

Next time you catch yourself thinking “I’ll never have enough” or any other negative belief, pause and challenge it. Instead, ask yourself: “Okay, what can I do right now?” or “Who do I want to be in this moment?” - and act from that place.

Even try talking to yourself in the third person:

“Okay Sarah, what matters most right now? Let’s focus on that and deal with the rest later.”

And have a plan. Spend intentionally on things that really matter to you. Without a plan, it’s easy to waste hundreds on things you barely remember. Planning helps you spend mindfully, and gratitude keeps you grounded instead of always chasing more.

Gratitude shifts your mindset from “there’s never enough” to “what I have is enough - and I can build from here.” Take accountability for what you can control: your habits, your discipline, your choices. It isn’t always easy, but it is worth it.

In the end, it all comes down to small, intentional steps. Keep showing up. Keep moving forward, even if it feels slow. Your money story can change - and remember: you’re the one holding the pen. 🩷