It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of life without ever asking ourselves what we truly want to experience. We wake up, go through the motions, check off tasks and before we know it, we’re living a life that doesn’t feel like ours. We wonder how we got here. How did we end up in a routine that doesn’t reflect our deepest desires?
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to stay that way.
If your life feels aligned and fulfilling, keep going you’re on the right path. However, if something feels off, this is your invitation to pause and reflect. Because when you know what you want to experience, you can begin to build a life that supports it. And yes, that includes your financial plan. When your money aligns with your values and goals, it becomes a tool for freedom not fear.
Journal Prompts: Discovering Your Desired Life Experiences
Let’s explore this through journaling. These prompts are designed to help you uncover what you truly want to experience in this one precious life.
Emotional & Inner Experience
- What feelings do I want to experience more often (peace, joy, excitement, love, freedom)?
- When do I feel most emotionally fulfilled or at peace?
- What environments or relationships help me feel safe and authentic?
Physical & Lifestyle Experience
- What kind of daily rhythm or lifestyle feels nourishing to me?
- Are there places I dream of living or traveling to? Why do they call to me?
- What kind of movement, rest, or physical care do I want to prioritize?
Creative & Intellectual Experience
- What creative outlets or intellectual pursuits light me up?
- What do I want to learn, explore, or master in this lifetime?
- How do I want to express myself in the world?
Relational & Community Experience
- What kind of relationships do I want to cultivate?
- What kind of people do I want to surround myself with?
- How do I want to contribute to my community or the world?
Spiritual & Purposeful Experience
- What gives my life meaning?
- What moments make me feel connected to something greater?
- What legacy or impact do I want to leave behind?
Bringing It Into Your Financial Plan
Once you’ve journaled your answers, take time to review them. Look for patterns. What themes show up again and again? Ask yourself: Does this align with me, or is it influenced by someone else’s expectations?
We want our answers to reflect what feels right for us. These patterns will serve as clues to your authentic desires. From here, you can begin shaping a financial plan around what matters most.
Aligning Money with Meaning
Want to travel? Budget for it.
Want kids? Consider what that looks like for you. If you have a spouse or partner, include them in your brainstorming. You may need to go back to school to upscale your career. You might also need to shift your priorities or rethink time management. What about after-school care, a nanny, or a house cleaner? The right answer depends on the opportunity costs that work best for both you and your partner.
Want more time freedom? Explore income streams that support flexibility such as remote work, freelancing, contracting, or owning a small business.
Want to create art or start a business? Build a financial cushion that allows you to take risks. You might also explore a minimalist lifestyle to free up time and money.
Maybe your life’s passion is an expensive hobby like building cars. You’ll want a plan that gives you the time and financial resources to support it.
Final Thoughts – Your Financial Plan Should Reflect Your Life Plan
Your financial plan should be a reflection of your life plan not the other way around. When you know what you want to experience, you can make intentional choices that support your journey.
This isn’t about chasing someone else’s version of success. It’s about defining your own. Life is a journey, and you get to choose the scenery, the pace, and the meaning behind it all.
So ask yourself: What do I want to experience?
Then start building a life and a financial plan that makes it possible.
