The Financial Glow-Up You Didn't Know You Had This Year

Financial Wellness is a journey, mark your wins along the way!

It's that time of year when everyone's talking about what they're going to do differently in 2026. But before we rush into all that "new year, new you" energy, let's pause for a second.

Because I have a hunch about something: you probably made more financial progress this year than you're giving yourself credit for.

Maybe you didn't hit that savings goal. Maybe you still have that credit card balance. Maybe you ordered takeout more times than you planned. But here's what I've learned from years of working with people on their money journeys – we're really good at noticing what we didn't do, and not so great at celebrating what we did.

So let's fix that right now.

Your Financial Wins Were There All Along

Did you check your bank account even once this year without immediately closing the app in panic? That's growth.

Did you have a conversation about money with a friend, partner, or family member that didn't end in tears or avoidance? That's growth.

Did you think about your future self, even for a fleeting moment, before making a purchase? That. Is. Growth.

These aren't "participation trophy" wins. These are evidence that your relationship with money is evolving. And that evolution is the real work. The sexy stuff, like hitting savings targets and paying off debt, comes after you've built this foundation.

The Thing About Financial Transformation

Getting better with money, is not a linear process. It's more like... learning to dance. Some days you're hitting every step. Other days you trip over your own feet. But if you looked at a video of yourself from a year ago? You'd see it. The progress. The rhythm you didn't even know you'd developed.

This year, maybe you:

• Actually opened those intimidating financial statements

• Asked questions instead of nodding along pretending to understand

• Chose to tackle one small money task instead of avoiding all of them

• Forgave yourself for a financial mistake instead of spiraling into shame

Every single one of these is a neural pathway you're building. You're literally rewiring how your brain responds to money. That's not nothing.

So What Now?

As we wrap up 2025, I want you to try something. Take five minutes (literally set a timer) and write down every single money-related thing you did this year that was even slightly positive. And I mean everything:

• Automated a bill payment

• Compared prices before buying

• Said no to something you couldn't afford

• Said yes to something that aligned with your values

• Had a money conversation you used to avoid

• Learned one new financial term

• Made one extra payment on anything

• Checked in with future-you before present-you hit "purchase"

Look at that list. Really look at it. That's your financial glow-up.

And all of this is setting you up for whatever comes next. Not because you're going to completely transform into a different person on January 1st, but because you're already becoming that person.

One choice at a time. One conversation at a time. One moment of awareness at a time.

Here's to celebrating how far you've actually come!