Castles, Ruins, and the Human Spirit
There’s something about old castles that reminds me of the human spirit. Of our scars, our endurance, and our desire to keep standing even when time or hardship has worn us down. That’s what draws me to Scotland, the way its ruins mirror resilience. The way the stones seem to say: “We’ve been through it, but we’re still here.”
I once wrote about how I imagined the men who built those castles. Men who went out to do a hard day’s work, then came home to their wives and kids, worried about food, about the future. Not so different from us, just living in a different time. I think that’s what grounds me when I picture walking through the vast greenery, letting the land quiet my thoughts before I visit a castle, those sacred spaces that hold history, pain, and perseverance.
But this is not just a travel daydream. This is about a life philosophy I’ve been building, brick by brick, like a castle of my own, something between vision and discipline.
Living for Now vs. Planning for Later
I often find myself pulled between two worlds: the present moment and the pragmatic future. On one hand, I’m someone who understands that tomorrow isn’t promised. I’ve lost people. I’ve lived through things that remind me how quickly it all can change. And there are days where I just want to say, “Forget it, I’m spending $5,000 of my savings right now and heading to Scotland.” Because I want to feel alive, not just prepared.
But then I remember who I am. I remember the weight of responsibility I carry, not just for myself, but for my family, for the foundation I hope to build, for the lives I want to touch. And that brings me back to earth. It reminds me why I save, why I invest, why I delay certain pleasures. Not because I don’t want to live, but because I want to live well, and more importantly, I want those I love to live safely too.
Safety, in many ways, is my love language. Financial safety. Emotional safety. Having the peace of mind that if something were to happen, my child would not be exposed to homelessness, hunger, or instability. That matters to me more than impulsive getaways, even when my soul aches for them.
The Hidden Trade-Offs Behind Every Highlight Reel
And still, I admire people who travel with freedom. People who live in the now. People whose lives, especially on social media, seem to overflow with spontaneity, joy, and movement. I admire them, and I also understand that social media is a highlight reel. Even when someone is self-aware and transparent about how they fund their adventures, we still don’t know the whole story. Are they using their entire savings? Are they in debt? Do they have retirement?
We never see the trade-offs behind the beauty shots. And trade-offs are always there.
Why I Want to Be a CFP, and What That Means
I’ve always believed in mental models. In frameworks. In understanding how the world works so that you can navigate it with your eyes open. That’s why I’m pursuing becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Because I want to help people like me, people who want to live, but who also want to be safe. People who see the world for what it is and still choose to be optimistic. People who understand that pragmatism isn’t pessimism, it’s protection.
One thing I’ve learned, especially when talking about financial planning, is that we often lean more heavily to one side of the spectrum. Some people are more pragmatic. Others are more spontaneous. I’m definitely the former. But I’ve also come to believe that the best partnerships, whether in love or in life, are about balance.
When I think about a future life partner, I think about someone who will help me find the middle ground faster. Someone who lives more in the present, who can help me remember to breathe and enjoy what’s around me. And in turn, I offer the anchor. I offer the long view. Together, we could make choices that honor both now and later.
That’s what I think love should do. Bring you back to center.
Safety, PTSD, and the Need for a Financial Foundation
And I’m not alone in this. I have a friend who moved to Japan. He also has PTSD, and he told me that while he feels safer there and can let his guard down a little, he’ll always be someone who watches his back. Same here. I’ve worked hard to be healthier with my trauma, but it doesn’t disappear. It reshapes how I move through life, and why I plan the way I do.
That’s why, even when social media tries to whisper, “You’re living wrong,” I remember that I’m not. I’m living right for me. I’m planting seeds. Not everyone needs or wants to plant, and that’s okay. But I do. Because I’ve seen what happens when the harvest never comes, and I want a different story for my family.
What the U.S. Doesn’t Tell You About Retirement
Even with Social Security. I think a lot of people don’t realize it was never meant to be your only income. It was meant to be a supplement. But so many people get to retirement with no pension, no 401(k), no savings, and then wonder why they’re barely scraping by. The truth? It’s not because they were lazy. It’s because no one taught them the whole picture. That’s why I want to help people, because the system is confusing, and we deserve better guides.
Dreaming Forward: Life Partners, Legacy, and Time Ownership
There’s a certain freedom in owning your time. Being able to say, “Let’s take off to Scotland for a month,” or “Let’s volunteer at a gala and donate freely” without financial fear. That’s the kind of freedom I want. Not just for myself, but for my future wife or life partner. I want us to own our time, together. That’s the kind of dream I’m building toward, even if it takes a little longer.
So yes, I admire the travelers. I admire the castles. I admire the people who’ve figured out how to make the now shine. But I also admire the builders, the planners, the savers, the quiet strength it takes to say, “I’m not spending it all today because I want a legacy.”
And maybe that’s who I am. A legacy-minded person who still believes in green fields and freedom, but knows they’re worth more when they’re earned with intention.
The Broke College Student 
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