by Ashley
Thanks for the kind comments on my last post. Unfortunately, only a few hours after that post was published, my dad passed away. It wasn’t a huge shock—I had just written about his transition to hospice care—but at the same time, he had seemed physically stable. I thought we had months, not hours, left. And as much as we try to prepare, nothing can truly ready us for the loss of a parent.
His passing has led to a lot of quiet reflection. Looking at my recent posts—about staying still amidst change and end-of-life planning—I see a clear theme emerging in my life: a need for grounding, peace, and intentionality.
Choosing a Word for 2025
Each year, I like to set a guiding word. For 2024, it was travel — GO and DO! But for 2025, I feel an overwhelming pull toward stillness. The word that keeps coming to mind is peace.
- Peace in my heart.
- Peace in my mind.
- Peace in my soul.
Other words that resonate: Stillness. Reflection. Contentment. Happiness.
2025 is shaping up to be a year of emotional and spiritual grounding, but also a year of loss. In addition to my dad, my cousin’s wife is in the final stages of ALS. My uncle was just released from the hospital on hospice care. And with a couple of grandparents in their 90s, I know more difficult goodbyes may be ahead.
The Financial Connection: Peace and Preparedness
What does all of this have to do with finances? In short—everything.
Losing my dad has reinforced two key financial priorities for me:
- Don’t Delay Joy. I don’t want to put off experiences for some hypothetical “later” that may never come. Yes, saving for the future is critical, but life isn’t just about the future—it’s also about now.
- Retire Early. I do not want to “die at the desk” (a phrase I hear often about those who work until very old age). How incredible would it be to retire while my mom is still around to enjoy time with? To have flexibility when my kids grow up and start families of their own? Financial peace means having choices, and early retirement is a goal I want to take seriously.
Taking Action Toward Financial Peace
So while my word for 2025 is peace, that doesn’t mean passivity. It means taking intentional steps to create a secure and flexible future. First up: meeting with financial advisors to map out a realistic early retirement plan. What will it take? What adjustments need to be made now to get there sooner?
Amidst life’s challenges, I’m deeply grateful for the blessings we have. And I want to make sure we’re using our time and resources in ways that align with what truly matters.
What About You?
Is early retirement a goal for you, or do you enjoy working to stay busy? What would financial peace look like in your life?
Hi, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at heart. Lover of running, blogging, and all things cheeeeese. Early 40s, married mother of two, working in academia. Trying to finally (finally!) pay off that ridiculous 6-digit student loan debt!
