A Matter of Perspective

Personal finance. Hmm, too many things have been said about it. Almost everyone has an opinion, yet somehow, none of us seem any wiser. Why? Because everyone has different goals and aims in life, isn’t it? What satisfies one person might not satisfy another.

And those who aren’t satisfied? They often can’t resist giving gyaan, hoping that those who are satisfied will become just as dissatisfied. Why? Because as humans, we’re inherently interested in the comparison – what we have versus what others have. We thrive on relativity. And crave social acceptance; but not just acceptance; we want to be one-up in the same circle. Isn’t that ironic?

Personal Finance is Personal

Did we forget that? It depends entirely on one’s environment, background, needs, and wants. It’s shaped by which wishes have been fulfilled and which haven’t. This, in turn, shapes a person’s outlook, their world, their goals, ambitions, and desires – across all facets of life.

Nothing new, right? We know this. Heck, we thrive on leveraging this in marketing. Everyone’s selling something – ideas, thoughts, acceptance, social status, products or services.

So what’s new that this piece can tell you?

Let me be clear: nothing that’s not already out there. But if it’s already out there, why are you reading this? Hmm, maybe it’s because what’s out there is just information, and what you may find here is knowledge – or at least my biased distillation of that information, which I’m packaging and calling “knowledge.” Okay that sounds I am demeaning everyone else. Sorry. Let me rephrase. I am hoping to provide some perspective.

Anyway, enough fluff. You’re here to gain some financial wisdom pointers. So, let’s get to it.

What’s the Best Time to Start Your Investment Journey?

The best time? Well, it was the moment you started breathing. No, wait – it was the moment your parents started breathing. No, no – actually, it was the day money was invented!

There, I said it.

But seriously, there is no perfect time. Anytime you start is the right time. The key is to just start.

“But I Don’t Know Anything About It…”

“What if I choose the wrong investment product and later realize I should’ve chosen something else? What if I mess up?”

Well, weren’t you just thinking a moment ago: What’s the best time to start investing? And now, suddenly, you’re worried about stepping into the wrong product – especially when you don’t even fully understand the field. Why is that? Are you afraid of entering from the wrong end? Oh! You’re looking for a head start?

But against whom? Isn’t this supposed to be “personal finance”?

Why adopt the mindset that says, Oh, since I’m so late to this investing game that everyone’s talking about – or wait, everyone’s raking in lakhs/millions, and here I am, stupid for not starting yet – let me start now and catch up.

If that’s what’s driving you to begin, HOLD ON! Throw caution to the wind. Call the cops to handcuff you right there! Stop.

This isn’t a race. What others are doing or feeling is not you. Be confident in yourself.

Take baby steps. Just like entering any new field – and just as every seasoned expert will tell you – investing is a mix of art and science.

• The Science is the data, principles, and logic everyone knows.
• The Art is the individual choices we make based on that science. It’s the personal touch.

And that’s why everyone says it, in one way or another: This is personal finance. Focus on what you want, what you believe in, and be prepared to enjoy the fruits – or face the consequences – actions you choose to take.

So, What’s the Fear?

Is it that you’ll pick the wrong investment? That you’ll lose money? Are you sure that’s really what’s scaring you? Look within.

What’s actually bothering you is likely the thought that there might have been a better investment option out there – and that you missed it. You’re worried that the returns you’re getting now are less than what you could have earned if you had made a different choice.

But here’s the thing: Do you really expect to be told, as a beginner, which are the best investment products in the world to put your money into?

And if such opportunities exist, do you think seasoned, experienced investors would revere them the way they do? Why would those opportunities be handed to first-time investors – or to people who aren’t even investors yet?

Remember: Not long ago, you were one of those people – completely oblivious to the world of investing. Did anyone call or inform you, saying, Hey, here’s the best investment opportunity ever! Everyone’s putting their money in; you should too!

No, right? Sure, scammers might try that, but genuine investment opportunities? Absolutely not.

Why? Because, just like any other industry, you don’t hand over the innermost workings/intricacies of the field to someone who’s just starting. It takes practice, observation, and experience to gain insights and distill them into strategies that work.

“What Should I Do Now? Quickly! I’m Tensed!”

Okay, firstly – breathe. You’re not building your fortune today!

This is just the first step. Today, all you need to do is learn.

Start by familiarizing yourself with the terminology:

• What is risk?
• What are returns?
• What is equity?
• What is debt?

Just explore what’s out there. Even if you don’t fully understand it right away, don’t worry. Take it one step at a time.

With the way the world is moving, everything seems to be distilled down to a person’s net worth. I get how that can feel overwhelming – this invisible pressure to climb ladders, whether financial security, social status, or something else entirely. You want respect, stability, and success, but in the rush to achieve it all, are you losing what makes you human?

Are you compromising your values, ethics, or individuality just to “get ahead”? The drive to succeed can cloud your judgment. It can lead to hasty decisions – decisions that feel like quick fixes but ultimately leave you more anxious than before.

And then, you think about your finances. Now, this feels serious. Sacred, even. You don’t want to mess it up. You know there are long-term consequences if you don’t do it properly. But here’s the real question: What is “proper”? What’s the benchmark?

And who even has the time to figure it out? Your eyes are locked on that proverbial ladder, and financial planning feels like just another hurdle to jump over quickly.

Sound familiar? If it does, stop. Right now.

Pinch yourself. Be in the moment.

Yes, there’s a whirlwind of stimuli distracting you, but you don’t have to let it. Refocus. Come back to what truly matters.

Let’s Take Control

Now that you’re here, let’s talk about the basics. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting with a small amount of money. Don’t think, “This only makes sense when I have more capital.” That’s a lie.

It will make sense – if you trust the process.

Think of it like this: A child isn’t born a grown adult. They grow, step by step, year by year, through careful nurturing. Why, then, would you expect to reach your financial goals the moment you start thinking about them?

There’s one magical thing that will help you on this journey, though. Many call it the “eighth wonder of the world.”

Compound interest.

But here’s the catch: compounding needs time and patience to work its magic. That’s why I said earlier that the best time to start investing was when money was invented!

Don’t Dwell on Lost Opportunities

What’s gone is gone. Crying over missed opportunities is like mourning something that was never yours to begin with. Those “perfect” chances that seem like they slipped through your fingers? They weren’t really opportunities if you hadn’t put in the time, effort, money, or energy to earn them.

Focus on what’s ahead of you. This mental fixation on imaginary losses is what keeps so many people frozen, unable to move forward. Don’t let that be you!

You already know – or at least, I hope you do – that compounding is a powerful concept. If not, here’s what I suggest: add “understanding compounding” to the list of research topics you’re working on.

Start Small, Start Now

No one expects you to know everything right away. oh! see even i got pulled into this trap of my life is a stage and audience is looking at it with expectations. This is a recipe for a life not lived for self. Forget expectations of others. Remember the baby steps? They apply here, too. Start with what you have and where you are. The journey matters far more than the speed.

Make a plan. Your plan doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to exist!

And your financial journey isn’t about outpacing others; it’s about building a life that feels fulfilling and secure to you. Wealth-building isn’t about shortcuts or racing to the top. It’s about consistency, patience, and learning as you go.

Are You Ready to Take That First Step?

Does this give you confidence? Does it shift your perspective? I’m not here to tell you which investment strategy to follow. For that, there are plenty of blogs, websites, and experts. Go read them. I’m here to help you declutter your mind so you can approach personal finance with the right perspective.

If nothing else, take this from this long post. Try a thought experiment with me. Imagine you’ve achieved all your financial goals. What does your life look like?

Is it peaceful? Or are you still restless, chasing the next milestone?

Did this click? Did you have your Aha! moment?

Personal finance is about your relationship with money. It’s about understanding what truly matters to you and using your finances to support that. Personal finance is what helps you achieve contentment in life. And that is important!