The Pain of Discipline or the Pain of Regret — A Choice I Had to Learn the Hard Way

“There are two kinds of pain: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.”

That quote when I heard it today, stopped me in my tracks — because I’ve lived both.

In my early adult life, I avoided discipline with money.

I saw it as a restriction. It felt like deprivation. Not getting my needs met. It felt like choosing lack.

So instead of saving, I spent.

Instead of planning, I winged it.

Instead of asking “What does my future self need?” I was focused on “What do I need right now?”

And honestly?

I didn’t want to feel the discomfort of telling myself “not yet" or sacrificing for some undetermined future.

So I avoided the pain of discipline…

But what I didn’t realize is that by doing so, I was inviting in the pain of regret.

And let me tell you — regret is a far heavier burden to carry.

Regret for the money I could’ve saved.

Regret for the investments I didn’t make. Regret for not taking enough advantage of compound interest.

Regret for not building the kind of financial foundation that would’ve made my life easier today.

Now?

I have to be twice as disciplined — because I lost the one thing you can’t get back: time.

But that regret?

It became my teacher.

It cracked me open.

It revealed what matters.

It’s the reason I became a Financial Coach — so I could help others avoid that same pain, and instead choose empowered discipline on purpose.

So What Does Discipline Really Look Like With Money?

It’s not about deprivation.

It’s about conscious choice.

What I’ve learned from natural savers is that it’s about connecting to your future self and becoming someone they’ll thank.

Here’s a simple practice I use and teach my clients:

✨ Future Self + Spending Check-In ✨

1. Pause before you spend. Whether it’s $100 or $1,000 — stop for 48 hours, put it into your spending plan and see how it really feels.

2. Set a 5 minute timer. Visualize your future self. 20 years older. Wiser. Calmer. Secure.

3. Ask them:

“What would support you more — this purchase now, or the money growing for you?”

4. Write down their answer. Then spend (or don’t) from that energy.

Discipline is a doorway.

It’s not punishment. It’s not lack.

It’s love.

It’s protection.

It’s power.

And when it’s aligned with your values and your dreams — it becomes sacred.

So, if you’re ready to stop carrying the pain of regret and start building real financial freedom with clarity and compassion, I’m here to walk with you.

In order to help you even more integrate this practice of self discipline with money, I’m gifting you this short hypnosis that you can be listening to and boost the discipline so you can reduce any future financial regrets.

Let’s rewrite your money story together.

Let’s choose discipline—from a place of love, not fear. Your future self will be so grateful!