Don’t Just Do Something — Sit There: Why Stillness Is a Financial Strategy
As the year winds to a close, something interesting happens. The markets quiet down while the headlines get louder. Forecasts start flying, “urgent” year-end checklists pop up everywhere, and suddenly everyone seems to have an opinion about what you must do before December 31st.
But here’s the truth: The wisest financial move you can make right now might be to do nothing at all.
Yes — nothing.
At first glance, that feels counterintuitive. We live in a culture that pressures us to stay busy, stay productive, keep tweaking and optimizing. We’re conditioned to believe that action is inherently better than stillness.
But when it comes to your financial life, patience isn’t passivity. It’s strategy.
Why Year-End Urgency Is Often Manufactured
The final weeks of the year create a sense of pressure, but the reality looks very different:
- Trading volumes drop as people step away for family and holidays.
- Markets, historically, are quieter.
- Yet financial noise — predictions, commentary, “shoulds” — only gets louder.
That urgency you might be feeling? It’s often created by the calendar or by the voices around you, not by your actual financial needs.
In quieter markets, rushed decisions rarely lead to better outcomes. The best choices usually come from stepping back, not leaning in.
Stillness Creates Clarity
I’m not suggesting you ignore your finances. I’m suggesting you take a breath.
Give yourself permission to pause. To reflect. To let your decisions settle before you move forward.
Clarity often emerges when we allow space rather than forcing action. A few days of grounded reflection now can prevent the regret that follows choices made under stress or pressure.
What Actually Matters Right Now
This is also a beautiful time to reconnect with what’s truly important. Not just in your portfolio — but in your life.
- The people you’re with
- The traditions that anchor you
- The moments that will never appear on a financial statement but somehow mean more than anything that does
Financial planning and life planning aren’t separate conversations. They inform one another. Your values, your relationships, your priorities — these shape the decisions that ultimately build a meaningful, abundant life.
Right now, the conversation might be less about what you should do, and more about what you can stop doing:
- Stop checking your accounts obsessively.
- Stop listening to every prediction.
- Stop believing you’re behind.
- Stop thinking you need to act just because the year is ending.
You are not behind. You are not missing out. You’re exactly where you need to be. Sometimes the most powerful step forward is choosing stillness.
If You’re Feeling Unsure, You’re Not Alone
It’s normal to wonder whether you’re supposed to be doing something — tax moves, investment shifts, last-minute decisions. And sometimes, a simple conversation can provide the reassurance you need to stay grounded and intentional.
If you’re feeling anxious about year-end financial decisions or aren’t sure whether inaction is the right choice, I’m here to help you sort through it thoughtfully and calmly.
Wishing You Peace and Presence
As we move through the final weeks of the year, my wish for you is simple:
More peace. More presence. More trust in yourself.
Financial wellbeing isn’t built through frantic year-end scrambling — it’s built through aligned choices made with clarity and intention.