Clarity First: where I am vs where I want to go

At some point, the question shifts.

It stops being “What do I feel like doing next?”
and becomes: “Where am I, really… and where do I want to go?”

Not in a superficial way.
Not “maybe I need a holiday in the sun” (although I’m not against that either!).

But in a deeper, more honest way.

What do I want this next chapter to mean?
What do I want it to feel like, day to day?
What do I want to be proud of five years from now?

Because it’s the decisions I make today that will shape my tomorrow.

For me, one answer has become very clear: I want to move away from relying entirely on a monthly wage.

Not because I dislike my work; I don’t.
But because I want choice.

The ability to choose how I work, when I work, and how much of my time truly belongs to me. And I know that doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built.

When I looked at this more closely, I also had to be honest about something else:
my personal financial knowledge wasn’t as strong as I thought.

Yes, I’m good at budgeting.
Yes, I can read a company’s financial statements.

But understanding how money can work for me, on a personal level?
That was a gap. And a big one.

And that was a good thing, because once you see a gap clearly, you can do something about it.

Over the past 12 months, I’ve made a quiet commitment to educate myself.
I’ve been reading financial books. Listening to podcasts. Learning the language. Trying to understand how money really works — not in theory, but in real life.

And to my surprise, it’s been… fun. Really!

The learning.
The stretching of how my brain thinks (and sometimes doesn’t).
The sense of progress.

Because knowledge doesn’t just give you information.
True knowledge gives you perspective.
And perspective gives you freedom.

It helps you stop panicking and start assessing.
Stop guessing and start deciding.
Stop drifting and start planning.

But learning alone isn’t enough.

The next step is action.

That’s what this chapter is about for me. I’m still learning — but I’ve also started putting things in place. Not radical changes. Not walking away from responsibility. I still have a day-to-day job and commitments to honour.

But the actions I’m taking now will change my life in five years’ time.

I have a clear plan. And with that, a sense of control. And that feels good.

I also see many capable, talented women stuck in a financial position that limits their ability to choose what comes next.
They’ve worked hard.
They’ve made sacrifices.
They’ve supported families and careers on the promise that working hard and getting a good job would be enough.

Sadly, for many of us, it isn’t.

Financial freedom requires understanding how money works — and learning how to make it work for you.

I’m not there yet.
But I am now actively working towards it.

And if I can do that — thoughtfully, realistically, and alongside a full life — then so can you.

You don’t need to become a financial expert.
You just need enough knowledge to make choices you trust.