Episode Overview:

In this fourth installment of the Five Year You coaching series, Andrew and Catherine dive into Substance—how you spend your life. This layer of life encompasses your financial, occupational, recreational, and lifestyle choices, all of which determine your long-term happiness and well-being.

They help listeners rethink their relationship with money, time, and purpose, shifting from external expectations to living from the inside out.

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your career, financial obligations, or the need to keep up with societal norms, this episode will help you redefine what truly matters.

• Lifestyle Design: How to build a life that reflects your values, not just society’s expectations.
• Financial Clarity: Redefining what "enough" means for you to create financial peace and flexibility.
• Recreation and Joy: Making intentional choices about how you spend your free time.
• Rethinking Work: Aligning your occupation with the lifestyle you actually want.
• Breaking Free from the Checklist Life: Letting go of unnecessary obligations and focusing on what truly brings fulfillment.

1. Define "Enough" for Yourself: Journal about what enough looks like for your finances, career, and lifestyle.
2. Audit Your Spending: Look at where your money goes—does it align with what actually makes you happy?
3. Prioritize Your Time: Think about how much time you dedicate to recreation versus work—does it feel balanced?
4. Identify Energy Drains: What parts of your life feel forced or inauthentic? Start making small shifts away from them.
5. Experiment with Change: If your job, home, or lifestyle isn't serving you, start exploring small steps toward change.

Catherine’s Aha Moments:

• "Less is more—cutting my monthly spending in half gave me more peace than I ever imagined."
• "What do you actually want? Not what society says you should want."
• "You can work less, spend less, and still have more—more freedom, more time, and more joy."
• "The rules of life are fake—you get to rewrite them."
• "If you’re tired and overwhelmed, it’s time to reassess your commitments."

Andrew’s Aha Moments:

• "Most people spend their time chasing money, but few ever ask, 'What’s enough for me?'"
• "You can’t build a meaningful life by following someone else’s checklist."
• "If you’re constantly waiting for the weekend, it might be time to rethink how you spend your weekdays."
• "Your lifestyle should be designed around your happiness, not just your paycheck."
• "Success isn’t about climbing the ladder—it’s about making sure it’s leaning against the right wall."

• Andrew: Feeling more aligned with his lifestyle after downsizing and focusing on what truly matters.
• Catherine: Finding unexpected joy in simplifying life, reducing financial obligations, and prioritizing mental peace.

• The Rules Are Fake (Podcast Episode) – How to challenge societal norms and build a life on your own terms.