No One Tells You That Building Wealth Starts with Fear

Let's be real. The perfectly curated Instagram feeds and success stories make wealth building look…easy. But the truth is, it's messy. It's uncomfortable. And for me, it started with a deep, gnawing fear.

The Fear Factor: Stagnation

My biggest fear wasn’t failure, but rather waking up one day and realizing I hadn’t moved. That I was stuck in a cycle of allowance to allowance, never truly progressing towards financial freedom. Seeing others around me seemingly achieving more, while I was treading water, lit a fire under me. It wasn't a comfortable fire, but it was necessary.

This fear wasn't about keeping up with the Joneses. It was about unlocking potential and designing a life where I had choices. Choices about my time, my work, and my future.

Mindset > Money (Initially)

Before I ever invested a single dollar, I had to confront my own limiting beliefs around money.

Growing up, money was always a source of stress. I had to rewire my brain to view it as a tool – a powerful one – that could be used to build a better future, not just a source of anxiety. I had to believe that wealth was attainable for me, even without a rich background or a high-powered career (yet).

This involved a lot of reading, listening to podcasts (shoutout to Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” changed my life), and surrounding myself with videos of people who were actively working towards their financial goals. It was about shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset.

My Humble Beginning

Let's be clear: I didn't start with a mountain of cash. I was just a jobless student (student allowance, anyone?), and clueless about investing. I started small, with budgeting, tracking expenses, and automating savings. Every extra dollar went towards my wants because I could not differentiate from my needs(hello, daily burgers!), eventually I began an emergency fund – the foundation for any wealth-building journey.

Transparency is key here. I want to share the real numbers, the mistakes, and the small wins along the way. This isn't about bragging; it's about showing that it's possible to start from zero (or even negative) and make progress.

Documenting the Journey: Why?

Why am I writing this? For accountability. To connect with others on a similar path. And to create a resource that I wish I had when I was starting. This isn't financial advice; it's a raw, unfiltered account of my own journey. I hope it inspires you to take action, even if it's just one small step.

Ultimately, wealth building isn't about greed or accumulation. It's about freedom, security, and the ability to live a life aligned with your values.

So, yes, it starts with fear. But that fear morphs into something else. It evolves into curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and ultimately, into the discipline required to consistently make smart financial decisions.

In the next entry, I'll be diving deeper into the specifics of my first side hustle and the mindset shift that made all the difference. Stay tuned! "Entry 2 — My First Side Hustle: What it actually earned" coming soon.