Hi everyone,
We’re back.
Two weeks away. No newsletter. No content calendar. Just time off.
Wanna know what happened in that space?
We made art together.
The kind you make because it's fun. The kind you make because your self wants to express itself. The kind you make because you remember that you're a human being, not a human doing.
We painted. We drew. We played with colors we wouldn't normally choose. We laughed at our mistakes, and sometimes cried or got frustrated with our shortcomings.
Mindfulness isn't just about sitting still and breathing. It's about awareness from moment to moment, yes. And it’s also about giving yourself permission to create without an agenda. To play without a deadline. To rest without a productivity goal to reach.
The newsletter break wasn't a gap in our work. It was the work, even though it didn’t feel like it. It felt like play.
Thank you for being here again.
This Week's Quote:
"We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves, otherwise we harden."
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Personal Finance Tip of the Week: The Creative Pause
You don't have to take two weeks off to benefit from what we learned during our break.
This week, try this:
Schedule one hour of "creative pause" with your money.
Not budgeting. Not planning. Not optimizing.
Instead:
Pull out a blank piece of paper.
Draw what your financial life feels like right now. Stick figures, squiggly lines, colors. No judgment.
Or write down three words that describe your current relationship with money. Then cross them out and write three words you'd like to feel.
The goal isn't to change anything. It's to relate differently. To remember that money is a character in your life story—not the author of it.
We, Sophia and Cristof, made art during the break. You can make a tiny financial sketch this week. Same spirit.
Upcoming Events (In-Person and Online):
We have several opportunities to connect—some virtual ones from your screen, some in person in Fuquay-Varina, NC.
1. 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? 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
2. Morning Meditation for Mindfulness
When: Thursday, April 9th @ 7:00 AM ET (Online)
Why attend: Greet the day with clarity and calm. A 30-minute guided meditation plus live Q&A. Led by Cristof. Perfect for starting your day with intention—especially if you've been missing the routine over the break.
Registration Link
3. Senior Services Expo – Come Visit Our Booth!
When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET
Where: South Park Community Center, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Why attend: Pine Ridge Wealth will have a booth, and we'd love to meet you in person. Stop by to say hello, enter to win an Ice Cream gift card or a Ready-for-Retirement Plan. No pressure. No pitch. Just genuine conversation and maybe a scoop of something sweet.
Find us there
4. 5 Ways Mindfulness Can Boost Your Wealth (In-Person Edition!)
When: Wednesday, May 27th @ 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Where: Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Why attend: The same transformative workshop, but live and in person. Space is limited. If you've been waiting for a chance to sit in the same room with us, this is it.
Registration Link
From the Break: Art, TikTok, and Where to Find More
During the two weeks away, we didn't just rest—we created.
We've been sharing some of that art and those playful moments on social media. If you'd like a behind-the-scenes look at what mindful creativity looks like in real life (spoiler: it's messy and joyful), here's where to find us:
Cristof on TikTok
Sophia on TikTok and Instagram: coming soon!
If you enjoy seeing the artsy side of us, that's where to go!
By the way: Cristof donates his art originals to fundraisers of the non-profits he serves with money & mindfulness programs, financial planning, and investment management. If you are involved with an amazing charity and are interested, please get in touch!
No New Article This Week (On Purpose)
We didn't write a new article during the break. That was part of the pause.
Instead, we'll point you to two resources that have been resonating with our newsletter readers, followers, and clients:
Book ($12, plus tax): Long-Term Investing for Meditators
Both are ready for you whenever you are.
As usual, there is no pitch. Just an open invitation to explore this journey with us, at your own pace.
With gratitude,
Cristof + Sophia
Founders, Project Mindful Money
P.S. If you come to the Senior Services Expo on April 22nd, please introduce yourself. I'd love to thank you in person for reading these words each week.
Cristof + Sophia
Project Mindful Money is a community initiative of:
Pine Ridge Wealth LLC, Registered Investment Adviser, Fuquay-Varina, NC, USA