embracing the art of money

financial lessons learned from vulnerability

Hi, I’m Jasmin, a 25-year-old business law student. At 18, I embarked on a two-year solo travel adventure and gathered experiences I’d love to share with you. If you're passionate about personal growth, intrigued by fascinating facts about the unknown, and appreciate heartfelt advice intertwined with personal stories, you’re in the right place. Together, we can build a community that shares deep insights into life.

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I wish I could tell you that I’ve figured it all out, but I undoubtedly haven’t.

I’ve probably failed at everything you’ve excelled at. I’ve dropped out of three or four study programs, worked for the most random people and companies worldwide, and traveled when everyone said it was a bad idea.

I dealt with crypto before it was regulated, experienced homelessness and being stranded, and held a full-time corporate job in the legal industry, doing the so-called "right thing." I’ve faced three cancer scares, gone viral on the Internet multiple times, been bullied (I gained weight) whilst also being told I could model (I lost weight). I’ve failed a thousand times.

Most people read my resume either in awe or disbelief, wondering how someone could have "not figured it out yet."

Did it bother me sometimes? Absolutely.

Many want young people to enter the economy with “different” perspectives, yet they pressure us to conform. It’s backward, but that’s something you and I already know.

You’re probably curious about the successes I've found by going my own way.

I want to share with you four things:

• I financed my travels without incurring expenses, thanks to "day trading" before it became a scheme.

• I saved up money despite working low-paying waitressing jobs that only paid $9 an hour.

• My luck came when I invested in Bitcoin at $1000 per coin.

• I had various spontaneous international work opportunities, working for corporate firms in the US and smaller businesses in Europe. In the service industry, I earned $800 net a month with food and housing covered solely by them—more take-home pay than some corporate jobs provide.

Living by the beach, I saved and invested. Looking back, my mistake was doubting myself. If I had held onto my investments, I might have been a millionaire today. But that's okay by me.

Life stretches beyond eternity. It embodies the color of white, the essence of nothingness, sparking boundless thoughts. The air is crisp—though "crisp" may not quite capture it. It feels clean, full yet weightless, providing a shade of comfort.

It's okay to feel uncertain or struggle; growth takes time.

The goal of studying

Even now, I question my choice of study every day.

But this time around, I’m pursuing it for the security it offers, should I ever need a break from the uncertainity of life. It’s comforting to know that I can enter the job market when needed and step away if I find something more fulfilling than an office job.

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.

Failures are good

Could I have avoided some failures if I hadn’t been so stubborn? Yes. Have I done stupid things? Absolutely. Could I have benefited from more guidance or structure in my life? Definitely.

But these self-criticisms don’t diminish my desire to be myself.

Failure isn’t something that makes you proud.

Looking back, I see both the tragedy and joy of being true to myself in my circumstances. I don’t regret my choices; I’ve simply made peace with the fact that most people will never understand what it’s like to truly live.

At 30, some will say you have wasted your 20s playing it safe.

Learn not to share your failures with those who can’t handle their own; they won’t listen or empathize—they’ll judge instead.

When I seek inspiration, I gaze out any window—be it on a train, a plane, or wherever I find myself. I've tried to grasp the essence of the ether in the most unexpected places. In Greek, the verb "aiithein" (Ether) means "to ignite" or "to blaze." The adjective "ethereal" has been part of English since the 1500s, describing realms beyond Earth or anything that seems to emanate from them.

Everyone's journey is unique; comparison is the thief of joy.