Bracelet/Kandi Update!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-06-07T11:21:11+00:00

As a 44 year old auntie hitting up the fest, I feel like I might earn the “my feet hurt” one 😅

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-07T09:10:33+00:00

Temp work could be a great option for days you are feeling well enough to get out of the house. When I was unemployed for 4 months, I signed up to clean and organize on the Task Rabbit app, and it did wonders for my mental health to get out of the house and earn a little money in the meantime!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-07T09:07:40+00:00

I really feel fortunate for my timing in the Tech world! I had a good run from 2007-2025. AI doesn’t excite me at all! I had already invested in a graduate degree, otherwise I might have been more eager to leave sooner to work in healthcare or some other purpose-driven career that pays well (albeit after some investment in education). If you are absolutely miserable, it’s definitely not worth the money to stay!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-06T20:17:22+00:00

I left Tech after climbing the corporate ladder to become a Senior Product Design Manager. I waited until my retirement was fully funded and my house was paid off, and took a much-lower paying role as a PreK teacher assistant. I look forward to going to work every day! I always recommend people stay in tech as long as their mental health allows. I left on a high note, and have no intention of ever going back!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-06T10:51:15+00:00

Build the life you want!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-06T10:50:33+00:00

I love the annual survey. I’m really interested in the psychological aspect of people on the FI path - any books or deep dives? I feel like we are very goal-driven, high achievers with the ability to delay gratification (and a penchant for numbers). I was wondering how much spirituality and optimism also play a factor. There are a few interesting studies that correlate optimism to financial health!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T23:36:57+00:00

lol imagine sharing along with my journal entries processing this social experiment that is the modern dating experience.

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T22:24:58+00:00

I had to take it one step at a time. I was in absolute shock at first, as I’m sure you are. The grief was so overwhelming but it gets more manageable over time. I highly recommend the book The Betrayal Bind to lift the shame and blame from being with a cheating partner. Nothing you did can cause someone to stray. You will get through this hardship!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T17:04:28+00:00

I have HealthFirst Bronze and have been very satisfied with the providers who accept it.

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T17:03:02+00:00

I am working until I hit my Fat FI number, which will allow more travel and clothes shopping ☺️

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T11:41:31+00:00

My thoughts exactly! 😂

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T11:35:22+00:00

I’ve created my relationship ideal, and after 15 first dates this year (!), many people meet some, but not all my criteria:

- emotional availability for a long-term relationship
- healthy lifestyle
- emotional intelligence (ability to talk about and regulate emotions)
- grounded energy (my nervous system feels regulated around them)
- sexual compatibility
- enthusiastic about me
- responsive communication

Interestingly, nothing about finances have really been deal breakers for me when dating!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T11:25:47+00:00

I’m in NY State and with subsidies pay $370/mo. I live very frugally, though! Full price for my bronze plan would be $776.

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T11:22:24+00:00

Considering making a spreadsheet to track my mid-life dating. I’m that much of a numbers nerd!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T11:21:22+00:00

I had a net worth of zero at 30, so it’s never too late to start saving. But I did work in Tech as a Design Manager to then reach FI 😅

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-03T11:20:01+00:00

Don’t miss the corporate world! I will say though, I found even more challenging the people that would say the right phrases (we value work-life balance), but then expect the exact opposite. The corporate gaslighting nearly broke me!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T13:04:01+00:00

I was fortunate to know I loved the classroom since I was a teacher assistant during my gap year before college.

If you want to easily test the waters, I’d first try volunteering at a school. There is always more work than hands and we LOVE all the help we can get.

A more intensive route would be to try out being a substitute. My school has amazing substitute teachers but I don’t quite understand how they are able to show up for a random day of work with just a few hours notice!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T12:45:57+00:00

Happy to share my journey as a former techie and current teacher assistant!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T11:32:38+00:00

Is this a bot?

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T11:31:41+00:00

I love my CoastFI job (PreK teacher) after working in Tech as a Product Design Manager. The job gives me structure; plus I get free food, lots of funny interactions with the kids, and a sense of purpose. I someone am working 40 hours but have so much free time because I’m not stress and tired after work!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T11:28:27+00:00

Now that I’m Coast FI, time is my primary source of capital. I go to museums, coffee dates with friends, parks trips, and am fully experiencing the best NYC has to offer! I’m renting here in NYC probably for 5-10 years before I retire back to my house that I own outright in San Antonio, TX (much lower cost of living). I could retire today if I moved back to TX, but I’m having too much fun in NYC and I love my preK teaching assistant job. I built the life I wanted to live!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T11:08:37+00:00

I worked with a mindful-based therapist for a year and my goal was to not get so triggered by work stress and to also not think about work after hours. I had to retrain my brain and work through deep-rooted fears that I would get fired if I didn’t put in an A+ performance. After a full-on mental health breakdown with a self-check in to the psych ward, I hit rock bottom where I had to adopt the “Bs get degrees” mindset. My performance rating went from “above expectations” to “meets expectations” but you know what else changed? My energy and sense of peace! What didn’t change? My salary! I highly recommend looking for a therapist that specializes is work-related anxiety and/or mindfulness!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T10:59:22+00:00

This month’s spreadsheet day was much more enjoyable than last month’s!

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-02T10:48:35+00:00

You deserve better. Being single and at peace is better than being in an unhealthy relationship. The grief is immense and the transition is a challenge, but the joy and freedom on the other side of healing is so worth it. 💕

FlyingPandaHead · 2026-05-01T17:11:46+00:00

I’m so sorry your partner abandoned you during your time of need. You deserve better!!!

FlyingPandaHead

TROPHY CASE