I never realized how much my self-worth was tied to my financial stability until I found myself staring at my bank account, feeling completely worthless. Talk about a low point. It wasn’t just the numbers on the screen that unsettled me, it was what they represented. Hear a story on how I began to pull myself out of my financial woes.

March Madness is right around the corner, and as a sports fan and financial therapist-in-training, I can’t help but draw parallels between basketball and money management. Here are my thoughts on how the two collide and how we can benefit from them.

In your 20s, success often feels like a race: Who’s climbing the corporate ladder the fastest? Who’s buying a house first? By your 30s, you realize the race is a myth. Success is deeply personal.

The financial world is always evolving, and as someone studying both finance and mental health, I find myself constantly connecting dots. Recently, the rise of AI in the financial sector has sparked conversations about accessibility and inequality. I want to share a quick thought on how it shapes my view.

Let’s be honest, (screams into the mic) burnout is real! There’s a moment when you look at your to-do list, look at it again to make sure it’s accurate and heart plummets because it feels like you’re drowning. For me, that moment is here due to month and year end closeouts, and the crazy tax season.

As someone in her late 30s juggling a full-time job, freelance gigs, graduate school, and personal aspirations, I often feel like I’m walking a tightrope without a net. It’s exhilarating, rewarding, and occasionally terrifying. Sprinkle in a thick layer of studying for certifications and my days blur into an intricate dance of deadlines and determination.