Not enough money. Not enough time. Not enough presence.

If these thoughts sound familiar, you’re not alone.

Lately, I’ve felt like I’m running on a treadmill set just a little too fast—never quite catching up, never quite able to slow down. I look at my finances and think, I should be making more, saving more, spending less. I look at my schedule and think, I should have more time with my son, more time to work out, more time to just breathe. And yet, here I am, juggling it all and feeling like none of it is enough.

And the worst part? The more I focus on what’s missing, the heavier it all feels.

I also know that part of this comes from my drive and tenacity—a trait that has helped me grow, push forward, and build a meaningful life. But sometimes, that same drive makes it hard to feel content. The desire to constantly improve, to achieve more, and to optimize every part of life can be exhausting. It’s a fine line between motivation and self-imposed pressure.

Why ‘Not Enough’ Feels So Heavy

This feeling of not enough isn’t just about numbers—money, hours, productivity. It’s deeper than that. It’s about presence and attention.

When I really sit with this feeling, I realize that I don’t just want more money, time, or energy—I want to feel present and in control of the things I do have.

I want to know that when I’m working, I’m fully there. That when I’m with my son, I’m fully there. That when I’m at the gym, I’m not thinking about emails. That when I’m paying my bills, I’m not avoiding my numbers out of stress.

Because not enough isn’t always about having more. It’s about fully using and appreciating what we already have.

Shifting From Scarcity to Presence

So how do we move from not enough to enough?

It’s not about magically adding more hours to the day or doubling our income overnight. It’s about making intentional shifts in how we think and act.

1. Get Real About Your Money (Even If It’s Uncomfortable)

For me, one of the biggest stressors behind this not enough feeling is avoiding financial clarity. I know I need to face it head-on, but part of me resists because it feels overwhelming.

But here’s the truth: avoiding it makes it worse. The only way to take back control is to look at the numbers, make a plan, and commit to small, consistent steps.

📌 Takeaway: Set a 30-minute money date with yourself this week. Look at your finances, get clear on what you earn, what you spend, and where your money is going. No judgment—just clarity.

2. Protect Your Time Like It’s Your Most Valuable Asset (Because It Is)

If I don’t intentionally create time for what matters, it gets swallowed up by everything else. Work expands to fill the available space. Chores, emails, and scrolling take over the cracks in my day.

I can’t create more time, but I can prioritize better.

📌 Takeaway: Identify your top 3 priorities each week. Schedule them in FIRST. Everything else gets planned around them.

3. Presence Over Perfection

I’ve realized that my stress about not having enough time with my son or at the gym isn’t always about quantity—it’s about quality. If I’m distracted, even an hour doesn’t feel like enough.

📌 Takeaway: Try this: The next time you’re with your child, working out, or even eating a meal—put the phone away, take a deep breath, and give that moment your full attention. See if it changes how ‘enough’ it feels.

4. Shift the Internal Narrative

The thoughts we feed ourselves daily shape our reality. If I keep repeating, I don’t have enough money, savings, time, presence, my brain will keep proving me right.

But what if I started saying: I am learning to manage my finances with confidence. I am present with my son when we’re together. I am making the most of the time I have.

📌 Takeaway: Notice your internal dialogue. When a not enough thought comes up, reframe it into something more empowering.

Final Thoughts: You Are Enough

The feeling of not enough is real, but it’s not a life sentence. By making small, intentional shifts—getting real about our money, protecting our time, practicing presence, and shifting our thoughts—we start to reclaim our power.

I’m on this journey, too. Some days will be easier than others, but one thing I know for sure: The more present I am with what I have, the more ‘enough’ it feels.

And maybe that’s the real secret to balance.

Hope this is helpful,

Olga