THE SEASON OF REBUILDING
I disappeared. Not to hide, but to rebuild.
Call it “winter arc,” “ghost mode,” or “villain era”—whatever the internet names it, it all points to the same thing: isolation.
After a big life shift, I was sad, in a new-ish state with no friends, and surrounded by land and silence.
So I did what the montages told me to do: I went ghost. Deleted apps. Cut the noise. Gave myself 90 days.
What started as a trend-inspired shutdown became something else entirely: a full reset of my money, my mindset,
and the way I showed up for my own life.
Going Ghost on Purpose
The internet makes disappearing look cinematic—dark gyms, dramatic speeches, and “watch me prove them wrong” energy. Mine wasn’t that glamorous. I changed my schedule, deleted social media, removed shopping and food delivery apps, and put myself on a strict 2-week budget with only $100 to play with.
I said no—a lot. No to quick buys. No to comfort spending. No to “I deserve this” when I knew what I really deserved was stability. I’m a spender at heart, truly my father’s daughter, so this wasn’t easy. But it forced me to ask myself three questions I’d been avoiding.
Asking the Hard Questions
I sat down and got brutally honest:
Where do I want to be in a year?
I’ve always been ambitious, but my financial goals were vague at best. I wanted “better” without defining it.
So I started small: I wanted stability and peace—and I knew both would require consistency.
What could life look like if I actually invested in what I say I want?
That one stung. It showed me that my dream version of myself—disciplined, grounded, secure—wasn’t going to appear
just because I pinned quotes or reread the same self-help books. It would take real effort, not just motivation.
What is it going to take for me to get serious about money at 25?
The answer? Accountability. Less “treat yourself,” more “tell yourself no.” No audience. No applause.
Just me, my budget, and my patterns staring back at me.
Treating Life Like an Investment
Once I answered those questions, I started treating my life like a game I wanted to win. Every good decision was a point. Every time I stuck to my budget, chose patience over impulse, or stayed focused instead of distracted, I was investing in my future self.
It wasn’t about perfection. It was about proving to myself that I could follow through. I realized I didn’t need another app, another planner, or another “Monday start.” I needed to believe that my consistency mattered—even if no one else could see it.
Ninety Days That Changed Everything
What began as a 90-day challenge turned into a lifestyle shift. I told myself, Sasha, can you actually rebuild, rebrand, and hold yourself accountable long enough to see this through?
Ten months later, I wasn’t just where I hoped to be—I had surpassed my own expectations. My habits changed. My mindset shifted. My priorities rearranged themselves around the life I actually wanted, not the life I kept daydreaming about.
The biggest lesson I learned?
Discipline isn’t punishment—it’s preparation.
Ninety days didn’t just change my money; they changed the way I see myself.
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