It’s easy to think better investing is about finding the next winning stock. In reality, it’s often about managing your emotions when markets are volatile. A calm nervous system can be a bigger edge than a better spreadsheet.
true to a point, for sure. Being at peace may lead to having enough more than having enough leads to having peace. Having "enough" does free you from believing Kalshi is your best bet to getting ahead. Its easy to get distracted with things that steal $ when you have little.
I do, however, know plenty of people w "loads a' money" who are perpetually unnerved. Its the "Primates of Park Avenue" problem. I know people at peace with their financial lives who worth $100 million and whose net worth is too small to bother calculating. Its not a simple "have enough---> be at peace" progression.
Fantastic (and timely) read. I’ve been learning a lot about the nervous system lately and this makes a ton of sense. When you’re constantly teetering on the edge of poverty, feeling relaxed is nigh on impossible.
When you are regulated, I believe more good stuff comes to you, simply by way of you not blocking your own blessings. Almost as if you can “handle” it now that you’re not burned out.
I agree with this. Not having enough money is inherently dysregulating to your nervous system. It's literal survival mode. When you have money (you don't have to be rich, you just have to have enough), you create a foundation of safety that allows your nervous system to function in a healthy way, rather than being always activated.
Agree, though I’d flip it a bit. I work with a lot of high achievers who hit the income number and are still wired and tired, because they chased stability using the same nervous system patterns that got them exhausted in the first place. The money helps, but it doesn’t automatically undo the pattern.
This really resonates, especially the distinction that money itself isn’t the regulator—chronic uncertainty is.
The layer I’m interested in is this: uncertainty doesn’t dysregulate everyone in the same way. The nervous system is responding to what it predicts uncertainty means.
For one person, uncertainty predicts poverty.
For another, it predicts shame.
For another, it predicts abandonment, loss of belonging, being judged, or exposure.
That’s why two people can have the same bank balance and completely different nervous system responses.
Financial stability matters. But what transforms a life is resolving the prediction underneath the uncertainty. Once that prediction resolves, money no longer has to carry the same emotional load.
interesting ideas here. What are your thoughts on the Adam Mastroianni ( @experimentalhistory ) argument that having "enough" in a world of abundance is actually killing art/creativity, and that the starving artist phenomenon isn't killed by the starving part, but by how easy it is NOT to starve/live in a van by the river? Worth a ponder.
Hi, Tim. You've hit the answer with the headline to this post. I am happy to tell you I have achieved financial stability and my nervous system can now handle anything my circumstances or my body throw at it. Have a great weekend.
Juliete is not off at all and glad you shared her quote as financial stability and peace of mind does regulate our nervous systems. Without it, anxiousness can set in which impacts clear and level headed thinking and decision making.
This is brilliant and encapsulates all of my frustrations I've been experiencing lately. You're right - it is the power of the mind and having the willpower to be really honest with yourself about your expenditures and what brutal reality you have to face is to make your goals happen. By repeating the same mistakes and landing yourself in the same position you started in the last payday is not going to drive you any closer to your goals. Excellent read - thank you!
Thanks for writing and posting this, particularly in the no BS way you have. This is something currently close to my heart and I’m working through this ‘process’ with an open mind and a determination to come out the other side with a much improved, if not new mindset. All your comments landed and resonated perfectly!
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It’s easy to think better investing is about finding the next winning stock. In reality, it’s often about managing your emotions when markets are volatile. A calm nervous system can be a bigger edge than a better spreadsheet.
true to a point, for sure. Being at peace may lead to having enough more than having enough leads to having peace. Having "enough" does free you from believing Kalshi is your best bet to getting ahead. Its easy to get distracted with things that steal $ when you have little.
I do, however, know plenty of people w "loads a' money" who are perpetually unnerved. Its the "Primates of Park Avenue" problem. I know people at peace with their financial lives who worth $100 million and whose net worth is too small to bother calculating. Its not a simple "have enough---> be at peace" progression.
Fantastic (and timely) read. I’ve been learning a lot about the nervous system lately and this makes a ton of sense. When you’re constantly teetering on the edge of poverty, feeling relaxed is nigh on impossible.
When you are regulated, I believe more good stuff comes to you, simply by way of you not blocking your own blessings. Almost as if you can “handle” it now that you’re not burned out.
I agree with this. Not having enough money is inherently dysregulating to your nervous system. It's literal survival mode. When you have money (you don't have to be rich, you just have to have enough), you create a foundation of safety that allows your nervous system to function in a healthy way, rather than being always activated.
It’s good to have money.
It’s sooo gooood.
Agree, though I’d flip it a bit. I work with a lot of high achievers who hit the income number and are still wired and tired, because they chased stability using the same nervous system patterns that got them exhausted in the first place. The money helps, but it doesn’t automatically undo the pattern.
This really resonates, especially the distinction that money itself isn’t the regulator—chronic uncertainty is.
The layer I’m interested in is this: uncertainty doesn’t dysregulate everyone in the same way. The nervous system is responding to what it predicts uncertainty means.
For one person, uncertainty predicts poverty.
For another, it predicts shame.
For another, it predicts abandonment, loss of belonging, being judged, or exposure.
That’s why two people can have the same bank balance and completely different nervous system responses.
Financial stability matters. But what transforms a life is resolving the prediction underneath the uncertainty. Once that prediction resolves, money no longer has to carry the same emotional load.
Your essays really help me in many ways to change my opinions about money, business and freedom
I think it largely depends on your life and career path too.
I'm 22, and I think getting a good job will be the best thing for me right now while writing online, just to build my small community of people.
And think about all of this
interesting ideas here. What are your thoughts on the Adam Mastroianni ( @experimentalhistory ) argument that having "enough" in a world of abundance is actually killing art/creativity, and that the starving artist phenomenon isn't killed by the starving part, but by how easy it is NOT to starve/live in a van by the river? Worth a ponder.
Well written
Hi, Tim. You've hit the answer with the headline to this post. I am happy to tell you I have achieved financial stability and my nervous system can now handle anything my circumstances or my body throw at it. Have a great weekend.
Juliete is not off at all and glad you shared her quote as financial stability and peace of mind does regulate our nervous systems. Without it, anxiousness can set in which impacts clear and level headed thinking and decision making.
Hi Tim. - a lot of valid points here. Thank you for writing this.
Listen to Tim. It’s time for regulation.
This is brilliant and encapsulates all of my frustrations I've been experiencing lately. You're right - it is the power of the mind and having the willpower to be really honest with yourself about your expenditures and what brutal reality you have to face is to make your goals happen. By repeating the same mistakes and landing yourself in the same position you started in the last payday is not going to drive you any closer to your goals. Excellent read - thank you!
Thanks for writing and posting this, particularly in the no BS way you have. This is something currently close to my heart and I’m working through this ‘process’ with an open mind and a determination to come out the other side with a much improved, if not new mindset. All your comments landed and resonated perfectly!