Choose Healthy, Not Normal
I recently shared the story of Jared Casazza who, like me, is a physical therapist with an interest in financial independence. He writes the blog Fifth Wheel Physical Therapist.
Jared and I have discussed the many parallels between poor physical health and poor financial health, both of which are unfortunately very common in our society. I wrote a guest post on this topic for his site, which is targeted toward new grad and traveling physical therapists.
My guest post contains ideas I have been sharing with my physical therapy interns for years, and was written specifically for his target audience. However, these ideas are very relevant to any reader of this blog. Hopefully, it will provoke each of you to think more about the choices that we all make that effect our health, physical and financial.
Read the full post at Fifth Wheel Physical Therapist by clicking here and then let me know what you think.
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I read your guest post. I love this heath-finance comparison, Chris. The idea of “normal” is so insidious. If I could teach my kids anything, I think it would be to avoid normal in health, finances, philosophy, and approach to life. Normal is too often a cop out for not making your own decisions. Thanks for the inspiring post. I look forward to catching up more soon.
Thanks for the feedback Chad. I agree 100% that this is something we’re trying to teach our daughter from the get go. I hope you all are having a blast being “abnormal” spending a year in Ecuador. Cheers!
Checking it out now! I adore this topic; so many unhealthy things have become “normal” that it’s hard to tell what’s healthy any more.
This is so true in our world where everyone is seeking approval and a feeling of safety with everything that many people have lost the ability to ask questions and think critically about what is truly healthy and desirable for themselves.
There is a strong message in the post: take action now. And yes, action might be difficult and painfull.
Not driving a BMW might be a big painpoint for some, to us, it is normal and part of the journey.
I am actually proud of myself: I combine healthy and financial wise in one thing. I bike to the trainstation for my commute. That is 2 time 20 minutes of biking a day and saves on the commute costs. Not always easy in the Belgian weather with rains, snow and wind. IT does give me a lot of energy and in the evening, I arrive home stress free!
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment AT. I love how you re-frame things in your example as not driving being not an inconvenience or sacrifice but a positive that has both financial and health benefits. I think that mindset of finding ways to achieve FI that are consistent with your true goals and values is the key to this whole process.