Why Needing To Use Your Investments Before Your Original Goal is Not A Failure

What I so often see with women and investing is that we’re deeply protective of our money.

We’ve worked hard to earn it, to save it, and for many of us, starting to invest is a big emotional leap.

But here’s where it gets tricky.

Once we take that brave step and put money into the market, we expect it to move up and only up.

Smooth, consistent, linear progress.

No bumps. No pauses. No withdrawals.

And as in life, that’s just not how investing works.

Recently, several clients have come to me facing unexpected expenses. Life (or the economy) threw them a curveball — school fees, family emergencies, business delays — and they needed access to cash.

We first look to how they can rearrange their spending and cash reserves to manage this expense. But what happens when there is still a shortfall?

We then look to what other assets they have….i.e. their investment accounts.

What I have found is despite having investment accounts in profit (unrealised gains), they were deeply reluctant to touch it.

Not just cautious, against it.

Almost ashamed they might need to. Dipping into those investments brings up feelings of faìlure, a setback, proof they are not good with money!

Taking money out felt like failure.

Even if it was money their money had earned becuase of a good financial decision they made! Even if it meant dipping into profits, not the capital they initial invested.

But here's the truth I always share with them:
💫That’s what it’s for- to support you when you need it most
💫That is the point of investing - to have a safety net to pay your costs when your income can’t do it!

💫And it is the opposite of failing - it’s evidence they are good at providing security for themselves, for making financial decisions that support them long term, that they are financially wise!

If your investment has grown, and you’re drawing from that growth — from the returns you’ve earned — you’re experiencing what financial freedom actually feels like. Financial freedom is when you have a source of funds, not from your day job, that can pay your expenses…

Not just in some far-off retirement. But now.

✔️Your investments are doing their job.
✔️Your money is working.
✔️And it’s supporting your life when you need it most.

That’s not a defeat. That’s a win.
That’s financial empowerment in action.

Let’s stop attacting to the notion that good investing is a straight upward line.
Let’s stop holding ourselves to a perfect, unrealistic set of goals.

✨You can withdraw and reinvest later when you are back on your feet.
✨You can pause to deal with life and pick up again when life gets back on track.
✨You can use the fruits of your financial growth and still be on track for your goals.

Your money is a tool. Not a trophy.

Use it wisely. Use it proudly.