Taking a Break
I tried. I tried so hard to push through and just get them done. But I couldn’t do it. My body finally said no more.
I did finish my 2024 taxes (yes, I am a year behind… now you understand the panic), and I got a big chunk of 2025 started and out of the way. But my legs and hips were hurting from all the sitting, my ankles started swelling, and I was making mistakes and having to redo things.
Eventually I just said ENOUGH.
I had to take a break.
I sent my 2024 paperwork to my accountant. I know mine aren’t the only taxes he’s working on right now, so finishing up 2025 this coming weekend will still be just fine.
I am just really ready to be done with it.
But this whole process has also made something very clear to me.
I made a promise to myself and set a new goal: month-end paperwork, every month. No more letting it pile up like this again.
Of course, that means I still have January and February to finish up as well.
When I really think about it, I can only imagine how many deductions I’ve lost over the years because I didn’t stay on top of it. Missing receipts. Forgotten expenses. Random purchases I didn’t log.
It’s honestly ridiculous.
And if I’m being real with myself… it’s mostly because I don’t enjoy doing it. It’s not fun work, so I avoid it. And then later I pay for it.
Lesson learned.
But on the brighter side of things, I have stayed on track with my Phase 3 goals. I am still working my program.
I did forget my exercises this week though. I was supposed to start Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I completely spaced it off. Today is Wednesday, so I will get it in this morning before life gets too crazy.
I also had blood labs done at the health fair.
And wow… my health numbers are much worse than I expected.
Even after the work I’ve been putting in over the last two months and the improvements I’ve already seen with my blood sugar, the labs showed me that my health has gotten much further away from where I want it to be.
But in a strange way, I’m really glad I went.
Now I have a real picture of where I’m starting from.
It was another wake-up call for me.
And instead of discouraging me, it has actually motivated me to dig in even deeper and keep going.
Which is also one of the reasons I am ready to offload these taxes.
They don’t feel aligned with the life I am trying to build.
But month-end paperwork does.
That feels responsible. Intentional. Sustainable.
It feels like the version of me I’m growing into.
Sometimes growth isn’t about doing more. Sometimes it’s about recognizing when you’ve reached your limit, stepping back, and choosing a better way forward. Progress doesn’t always look neat or perfect. Sometimes it looks like unfinished work, hard truths, and promises we finally decide to keep with ourselves.
And honestly… that still counts.
Journaling Prompts
What is one responsibility I have been avoiding, and what small step could I take to make it easier to manage going forward?
When my body or mind tells me I need a break, do I listen… or do I try to push through anyway? Why?
What is one habit I could build that would make my life easier six months from now?
