It’s a little more than a year, but we know time is flying and I have been preoccupied with many other things over the last few weeks.
However, I did not want the significance of this milestone to just pass by, and not acknowledge it. I consider myself an accidental author, as it was not in my life’s plan or goals to write a book, but had a calling to share my experiences and knowledge, in hope someone can learn from it.
The journey of writing the book was not that difficult, as it felt more like a retrospective version of my life, based on actual events and applied knowledge. As I mentioned in the epilogue, the process ended up being cathartic, and in hindsight, that may have been what I needed.
Not being able to work at 100% capacity over the last year has affected the way I wanted to present this book to the world. Coupled with the limited shelf-space, for indie authors in Barbados and the wider Caribbean, promotion has been challenging.
That does not mean there haven’t been some memorable moments and achievements over the last year.
Here I’ll share a few:
- I stepped into the limelight. Not one who is a fan of being in front of the camera, but at the end stage of finalising the book cover, it was obvious that I was going to have to be the face of this book. Seeing my face on the cover of the copies when they arrived, felt very overwhelming. However, I rose to the occasion. Through this process, I have now appeared on national television, national radio and have done podcast interviews with audiences based in Barbados, the Caribbean, Bermuda, United States and the nomad/digital community, and even started a YouTube channel. Who would have thought that would happen?
2. I had the opportunity to interact with readers of the book and hear their stories. I am always amazed at the personal information people share with me, about the challenges they have faced and/or currently facing. This serves as testament that this book is needed.
3. Not every one of the readers were looking for financial information, but many enjoyed the travel stories, the tales of resilience and the pursuit of authentic living. I have received quite a few messages from black women, older than I am, who have shared how the writing resonates so much with them, because of their own journey.
One year later, it’s my believe that the work of financial empowerment is still at the beginning stages. There are some who disagree, as they see bigger cars and houses as a sign we have progressed. From the personal stories people share, I know we haven’t, the major difference is, we now have more access to credit.
During the next year of this journey, I want to focus more on chapters 4 & 5 of the book, Traditional Behaviours, and The Mindset of a Financially Successful Person. These chapters distinguish my book from the many other books intended for persons on a financial journey. These topics are the ones that let you know that financial literacy is not all there is to it. There are many individuals who are financially literate who struggle daily and are living paycheck to paycheck, including those with high incomes. For those not financially struggling, there is the torment of achieving success and the survivor’s remorse. We need to address these areas.
I would like to thank the team who worked on getting this book to publication. The Barbadian local authors who have welcomed me to the fold and shared invaluable knowledge. Bermuda Bookstore for being the first bookstore to readily placed the book on their shelves, the media and podcast personnel who shared my story.
Lastly, to the readers, hearty thank you! Y’all the real MVPs.
Happy 1st Anniversary to Living Loud on a Budget: Authentic Financial Living!
Living Loud on a Budget is available here on Amazon at half price for the next week.
Tanja
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