Stop me if you’ve heard this premise, but…I asked ChatGPT to write a 1000-1500 word blog post about trying to reach financial independence while struggling with depression. How did it do?
Another Depression Flare-Up
I’ve written about depression before. It’s not fun. And, for me, it hasn’t gone anywhere. Kinda like my lack of progress toward FI/RE.
Depression sucks. It’s nigh impossible to strive for financial independence when I’m just trying to get through the day.
— Dads and Dollar$ (@Dads_AndDollars) February 7, 2023
Several kind people responded and suggested that I take a few days off. The other main suggestion I received was to prioritize my mental health over FI/RE.
In the midst of all this, though, it occurred to me that perhaps ChatGPT, which I suppose is the latest thing. might be able to help me. So I queried it, “write a 1000-1500 word blog post on trying to reach financial independence while struggling with depression”. Here’s how it responded (headings are mine).
ChatGPT on Depression and FI/RE
Financial independence is a goal that many people aspire to. It’s the idea of having enough wealth to support oneself without relying on traditional sources of income, such as a job. But for those struggling with depression, this can seem like an impossible dream. Depression can be incredibly debilitating, making it difficult to find the motivation to work towards financial goals and to make smart money decisions. In this post, we’ll explore the challenges of reaching financial independence while struggling with depression, and offer some tips and strategies for overcoming these challenges.
First, it’s important to understand that depression is a real medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s not something that can be easily overcome with a positive attitude or sheer willpower. People who struggle with depression often face a constant battle against negative thoughts, low energy levels, and a lack of motivation. This can make it difficult to find the drive and focus needed to make smart money decisions, let alone work towards a goal like financial independence.
One of the biggest challenges of reaching financial independence while struggling with depression is simply finding the energy to get started. For many people with depression, getting out of bed and facing the day can be a Herculean task, and the thought of working towards a long-term financial goal can seem overwhelming. However, there are strategies you can use to help overcome this challenge.
My emotional state a lot of the time (dramatization). Photo by Stormseeker on Unsplash
ChatGPT’s Depression Strategies
One strategy is to break your financial goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Instead of focusing on the big picture, try to focus on the steps you need to take to reach your goal. For example, instead of thinking about reaching financial independence, focus on creating a budget, paying off debt, or increasing your savings. By focusing on smaller, more manageable tasks, you’ll be able to build momentum and gradually work towards your goal.
Another strategy for overcoming the challenges of depression is to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. This can be especially helpful if you are struggling with negative thoughts or feelings of hopelessness. Talking to someone who understands what you’re going through and can offer support and encouragement can help you to stay motivated and focused on your goals.
In addition to seeking support from others, it’s important to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. This can include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. Taking care of yourself can help to improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and make it easier to stay focused on your financial goals.
The Next Challenge, and What Else To Do
Another challenge of reaching financial independence while struggling with depression is the tendency to make impulsive or emotionally driven money decisions. For example, people with depression may be more likely to make unwise purchases or overspend in order to cope with negative feelings or stress. To overcome this challenge, it’s important to take a step back and think through your money decisions before making them. This can help you avoid making impulsive choices that could negatively impact your financial situation.
One of the best ways to overcome the challenges of depression and reach financial independence is to seek professional help. A financial advisor can help you to create a plan for reaching your financial goals and provide you with the support and guidance you need to stay on track. A mental health professional can help you to manage your depression and work through the negative thoughts and feelings that may be holding you back.
Finally, it’s important to remember that reaching financial independence is not something that happens overnight. It takes time, effort, and perseverance to build wealth and achieve financial freedom. However, with the right strategies and support, it is possible to overcome the challenges of depression and reach your financial goals.
ChatGPT’s Conclusion
In conclusion, reaching financial independence while struggling with depression can be a challenging journey, but it is possible with the right tools and support. By focusing on smaller tasks, seeking support from friends and family, taking care of yourself physically and emotionally, avoiding impulsive money decisions, seeking professional help, and remembering that financial independence takes time and effort, you can overcome the challenges of depression and work towards achieving your financial goals. It’s important to be patient with yourself and not be discouraged by setbacks or struggles along the way. Instead, see these as opportunities to grow and learn, and use them as motivation to continue working towards your goal of financial independence.
So How Did ChatGPT Do?
Well, for starters, ChatGPT fell a bit short of 1000 words in its writeup. And, of course, its post was technically correct, but there were a few items for which I would have preferred a more personal approach.
In my next post, I’ll add my personal take on ChatGPT’s post.
Now we have 1000 words.
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