Hi everyone,
I'm writing this week's newsletter from a different place than usual.
Not physically—I'm still at my desk, still in Fuquay-Varina, still watching the birds in the forest outside my window. But internally? Something is shifting.
I'm about to do something that feels slightly uncomfortable to admit: I'm taking two weeks off.
Not from everything, of course. Life doesn't pause. But from the newsletter. From the content creation. From the steady rhythm of producing and publishing and showing up each week.
I've written before about Megan Hellerer's concept of Directional Living—the idea that we don't need a perfectly plotted itinerary, just a sense of direction that feels true. For the past few months, the direction has been forward. Produce. Write. Facilitate. Show up.
And now, the direction is inward. Pause. Reflect. Realign.
This is what I teach, after all. That mindfulness isn't just about noticing the breath during meditation—it's about noticing when the rhythm needs to change. It's about listening to the body (and the spirit) when it whispers, "Rest now, so you can return fuller later."
So I'm listening.
The newsletter will be back in your inbox on Monday, April 6th. And between now and then, I'm leaving you with a few resources that carry the spirit of what we explore together—things you can return to whenever you need a moment of mindful money practice.
This Week's Quote:
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. Not as a reward for work done, but as a prerequisite for the work that's coming."
— John Lubbock
Personal Finance Tip of the Week: The Two-Week Pause (For You)
Since I'm taking two weeks to pause, I invite you to try your own version.
Not a break from life—I know that's not realistic for most of you. But perhaps a gentler approach to one financial habit that usually carries charge.
This week (and next), try this:
Pick one financial routine that normally triggers something in you—checking your investment accounts, reviewing your budget, opening a bill, even just thinking about retirement.
For the next two weeks, approach it differently:
Before you begin, take three conscious breaths.
Place a hand on your chest or belly.
Silently say: "I'm here. This is just information. I am safe."
Then proceed, noticing what's different.
That's it. No massive overhaul. Just a small shift in how you meet your money.
When I return on April 6th, I'd love to hear what you noticed.
Resources to Accompany You While I'm Away:
I'm leaving you with two offerings—one free, one for those who want to go deeper.
A few months ago, I recorded a guided meditation specifically for this work we do together. It's about 34 minutes—long enough to settle, short enough to fit into a lunch break or a quiet morning.
In it, we explore:
Noticing the physical sensations that arise when we think about money
Creating space between stimulus and response
Cultivating a sense of safety and sufficiency in the body
You can find it here: Link to video
Consider it a small gift to accompany you through these two weeks. Watch it once, or return to it multiple times. However it serves you.
Deeper Dive: Long-Term Investing for Meditators
For those who've been with us a while and want to go deeper, my book Long-Term Investing for Meditators is available for purchase.
This isn't a typical investing book. It won't teach you how to pick hot stocks or time the market. Instead, it explores:
How the principles of mindfulness can transform your approach to long-term investing
Why patience, non-attachment, and equanimity are actually investment superpowers
Practical wisdom for staying the course when the market (and your mind) gets rocky
Think of it as a companion for the mindful investor's journey.
Available here: Link to book
Looking Ahead: Events When I Return
I'll be back in your inbox on April 6th, but here's what's coming so you can mark your calendars:
Morning Meditation For Mindfulness
When: Thursday, April 2nd @ 7:00 AM ET (Online)
Why attend: We will meditate for about 30 minutes, focusing on the foundational pillars of mindfulness: anchoring in the breath and body awareness, cultivating a quiet mind, and fostering loving-kindness, gratitude, and forgiveness towards ourselves and others.
Registration Link
5 Ways Mindfulness Can Boost Your Wealth
When: Wednesday, April 8th @ 2:00 PM ET (Online)
Why attend: You've done everything right. So why doesn't your net worth feel like wealth? If you're financially comfortable but emotionally stretched thin, this workshop is for you. This isn't about budgeting. It's about awareness. Join Sophia and Cristof for a free 60-minute session exploring how mindfulness transforms your relationship with money.
Registration Link
Senior Services Expo
When: Tuesday, April 22nd, 10 AM - 2 PM ET
Where: South Park Community Center, Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
Why attend: Pine Ridge Wealth will have a booth at this year's Senior Services Expo. If you're in the Fuquay area, come say hello. I'd love to meet you in person—no pressure, no pitch, just a genuine conversation about what matters to you. And a chance to win a gift card to the best ice cream shop in town.
More Info Link
From the Archives: A Post You Might Have Missed
If you're new here, or if you'd like to revisit something from the early days while I'm away, here's my most popular piece from last month, still highly relevant:
With gratitude, and with genuine excitement for what clarity these two weeks will bring,
See you on April 6th.
Cristof + Sophia
Founders, Project Mindful Money
Cristof + Sophia
Project Mindful Money is a community initiative of:
Pine Ridge Wealth LLC, Registered Investment Adviser, Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA
P.S. If you try the guided meditation or the two-week financial pause, we'd genuinely love to hear about your experience when we return. Reply to this email—we read every single one of them and respond to as many as we can.