“You, yourself, as much as anyone in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” ~Buddha
September signals the start of change. The days get shorter, kids head back to school, and summer slowly slips into fall. It’s a time of transition, full of new schedules, shifting routines, and the pressure to hit the ground running. But as the world around you changes, there’s one thing you can intentionally anchor: your mental wellbeing.
You’ve likely read the typical tips of moving your body every day, eating well, getting enough sleep. And yes, those are important. But today, I want to share something more personal. Something that’s had a real impact on how I protect my mental space in busy seasons year after year. And that is taking yourself on a date.
Yes, seriously. Take you out.
I’m so used to spending money on my kids’ clothes, vacations, and school while managing everyone else’s needs. But when it comes to my own wants? I often pushed them to the side, deemed them “not necessary” or “too indulgent.”
So now, every month, I make it a point to set aside a small portion of my budget and one day just for me. Sometimes it’s a massage. Sometimes it’s lunch at my favorite café followed by a movie. Other times it’s just a long, quiet walk in nature followed by a stop at the ice cream shop. The activity doesn’t matter as much as the intention behind it.
That time and money are mine. It’s a monthly reminder that I’m not just a provider, planner, or caretaker. I’m also a person who deserves care.
However, the first thing stopping me wasn’t the logistics, it was the guilt. I won’t pretend it was easy in the beginning. I felt guilty spending money on myself. Guilty for “wasting” a free day when I could be catching up on errands or family to-dos. But eventually, I realized this—if I’m only given one life, one body, and one mind, why wouldn’t I prioritize it?
Here’s the truth
The only reason I’m able to give myself this space is because I planned for it.
That’s why financial planning is necessary in life. Financial freedom does not mean having endless money. It means having choice. You don’t need billions to start learning where your hard-earned dollars are going—and feel empowered to redirect some of them toward what brings you peace, joy, or rest.
Through budgeting, tracking expenses, and getting clear about your financial goals, you can carve out space not just for your responsibilities, but also for your wellbeing. And when women are in control of their finances, they are in control of their time, their energy, and their choices.
So, this September, as everything changes around you, try this one thing: take yourself on a date. Make it a necessary expense in your budget. Treat it like a doctor’s appointment or a meeting at work. Because your mental health is equally as important and you deserve to treat it that way.
Marilyn Suey
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®
Accredited Investment Fiduciary®
Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®
marilyn.suey@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com
Marilyn Suey is a Registered Representative with, and securities and Retirement Plan Consulting Program advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Other advisory services offered through Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC a Registered Investment Advisor. The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors and Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.CA Insurance License #0E01981
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification mark CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification mark.
Marilyn is the Founder and CEO of The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors. She is a nationally recognized Financial Educator, Author, Speaker, and Wealth Manager, who you may have seen on NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX network affiliates and Yahoo News, Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch, Wall Street Select and others. Marilyn and her team at The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors have been showing business owners, healthcare professionals, and executives how to accumulate, preserve, and pass on their wealth for almost 20 years. Marilyn developed The Prosperity Blue Print , a five-step wealth planning process, that includes strategy for Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Preservation, and planning for your ideal retirement lifestyle. She founded the Savvy Women Community where she shares her wisdom and experience with like-minded women. She received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in Applied Math and Economics from UC Berkeley. To schedule your complimentary Lifestyle Upgrade Assessment, call: (925) 219-0080 or email; marilyn.suey@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com
