Transforming escapes into personal investments

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I worry about relying too much on one source of income. It feels risky to depend solely on a single job. I recently watched Ali’s YouTube video, where he talks about his confidence in generating multiple streams of revenue, allowing him to build wealth without depending on just one job. That’s exactly what I want to achieve. So, I’ve decided to dedicate time each week to contribute to the blog I’ve been wanting to create.

However, balancing my hobbies—running, climbing, biking, and cooking—with a demanding 50+ hour work week can be tough. When I feel overwhelmed, I often escape into online games. That’s where I get into trouble. Despite thinking I don’t have much free time, I somehow manage to rack up four hours of gaming a week! Four hours! I always ask myself, “Could I have spent those hours on my blog instead of playing a game that offers nothing in return?” Every Sunday, my devices remind me of my screen time, and I feel frustrated, hoping the next week will be different—but I often fall into the same pattern. This cycle of self-criticism went on for about a year.

Then, during a journaling session, I realized that my need to escape stemmed from a sense that I’d ‘earned it.’ Even though I spend time reading, learning a new language, and watching educational YouTube videos (like how to cook better or be more productive), I still categorized these activities as ‘work.’ I was working both during the week and on weekends, even though these were wholesome pursuits. So, I began to shift my mindset. Instead of viewing these activities as more work, I started to see them as ‘investing in myself.’ Whether I’m learning something new or improving my fitness, I now frame it as self-investment. When I choose to play games instead, I remind myself that I’m opting out of investing in myself. While I still struggle at times, this shift in perspective has helped me reduce the negative self-talk.

As for my blog, I continue to journal and plan my week on weekends. I list out my goals and break them down into manageable tasks, much like I do with my work. Why not apply that same structure to my personal life? Starting a blog can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down—like signing up for Squarespace and writing one article—makes it much more approachable.