$pent Millennial

Dear Reader,

It just doesn’t seem fair.

It was nice while it lasted—that’s how I’ve been feeling this week.

Things feel uncertain right now, and I know I’m not alone in this.

I also recognize that, relatively speaking, I’m one of the lucky ones as we navigate these unpredictable times together.

Like many, my job relies on funding that, in the most optimistic phrasing, is “uncertain” at the moment.

But, as I said, I’m one of the lucky ones. There are many facing even greater uncertainty—people whose livelihoods will be impacted more immediately and more profoundly, in ways that are difficult to recover from.

My focus right now is on doing what I can to safeguard against those disruptions—not just for myself, but for others.

At the same time, I’m thinking about how I can prepare for the “what-ifs.” True to my nature, I want to determine what is within my control and focus on managing that.

For me, this means cutting back on spending and reinforcing my financial safety net. It means practicing habits that would remain sustainable even if I had to make more drastic cuts and return to a more frugal lifestyle.

This past week, I’ve been reflecting on how to navigate these uncertain times.

For the past three to four years, I’ve lived frugally—or as I often described it, “living broke.” I wore it like a badge of honor, quipping, “I’ve been broke before. I know how to be broke.”

But through a lot of personal reflection and growth, I realized I didn’t want to live quite that broke forever.

By embracing frugal living, financial accountability, transparency, and intentionality, I paid off my debt, which lowered my monthly expenses. I built up emergency savings and long-term investments. In the past year, I’ve also made professional progress and increased my income, which allowed me to expand my budget and financial flexibility while maintaining strong saving and investing habits.

And it felt good—really good.

It made me feel like a “grown up”. Maybe this was what everyone meant when they told me that “it gets better” as I struggled through my 20s, scraping by and practicing hyper-vigilence over every dollar.

For a while, it really did feel like it was getting better.

I found a balance—living within a budget without feeling restricted, tracking my finances without hyper-fixating on every dollar.

But now, in the face of uncertainty, that balance is shifting.

The guilt and anxiety have started creeping back. With every purchase, I hear that familiar whisper: Should I be saving this money instead?

And it feels unfair.

Like I finally made it to the finish line, took a breath, grabbed some water—only to realize they moved the goalpost.

It feels endless, exhausting, unfair. No matter how responsible, hardworking, or disciplined I am, it feels like I’ll never truly arrive.

Of course, I recognize that my uncertainty is far less severe than what many others are facing. Even writing this feels a little self-indulgent.

But this is what has been on my mind this week. And here’s what I’m doing about it:

Practicing Gratitude.

I’ve heard that you can’t feel anxious and grateful at the same time. So I’m choosing to reflect on gratitude. Some things I’m thankful for:

• The privilege and safety I have.
• The financial buffers I’ve built by paying down debt and saving.
• The lessons I’ve learned about frugal living and financial resilience.
• The support of my community.
• The ability to adapt.

Taking action.

I’ve also found that the best antidote to anxiety is action. So, in the coming weeks, I’m focusing on:

• Advocating for my work (and that of other) and doing what I can to make a difference.
• Adjusting my budget to build additional savings.
• Being mindful of my money mindset and financial habits.
• Creating, finding my voice and using it.
• Leaning into my community and the support it offers.

Uncertainty is never easy. But while I can’t control everything, I can control how I respond. And right now, I’m choosing to respond with gratitude, intention, and action.

If you’re feeling a similar way, know that you’re not alone. I’d love to hear—what are you doing to navigate uncertainty?

Until next time, take care and hang in there,

Everett