Why Your Mindset About Money (and Life) Changes Everything

When you pour your heart into something — a competition, a dream, a chapter of your life — it’s natural to want to get everything right. To grind, to push, to “maximize” every opportunity.

But today, I want to talk about something that gets overlooked in the grind: your relationship with money, opportunity, and value — and how it impacts not only your bank account, but your joy, your growth, and your life.

I remember back when I was competing for Miss Wisconsin. The pressure, the excitement, the constant balance of appearances, preparation, real life, and finances. It felt like treading water some days. Other days, it felt like pure grind mode. Exhausting — and beautiful — all at once.

It taught me one of my biggest lessons: mindset isn’t just about positivity — it’s about how you value yourself, your time, your skills, and your money.

If You Had to Put a Price on It…

When I look back on my year as Miss Wisconsin, could I put a price tag on it? Technically, sure — if you added up all the scholarships, the sponsorships, the expenses. But emotionally? Personally? You can’t assign a dollar amount to who you become in the process.

The money I earned — around $60,000 in scholarships — helped me immensely. But even if I hadn’t earned that money, I would still do it again. Because the growth, the confidence, the experiences were priceless.

The same is true for so many of the things we invest in — whether it’s dance lessons, coaching, or pageants.

Yes, money matters. But money doesn’t measure the real value of your journey.

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What You Think About Money Matters

Growing up, money conversations were constant. Scarcity, saving, fearing not having enough. That fear followed me into adulthood, especially when I had to become financially independent almost overnight.

There were seasons where I was working two or three jobs, scraping by, living in fear of overdraft notices or bills I couldn’t pay. But here’s what I realized:

Worrying about money doesn’t change your circumstances.

All it did was steal my peace. The numbers stayed the same whether I was anxious or grateful.

When I started shifting my relationship with money — seeing it as a tool, not an enemy — everything changed.

Instead of thinking, I don’t have enough, I started practicing, Everything is always working out for me.

And I have so many stories where it actually did — sometimes in ways I couldn’t have even planned.

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Competition, Cost, and Mindset

Let’s be real — competition costs money. But where you spend your money matters just as much as how much you spend.

• Custom gowns aren’t what make you a titleholder.
  
• Hair and makeup artists aren’t the reason someone wins.
  
• Confidence, communication skills, adaptability, and presence — that’s what creates lasting impact.
  

Invest in coaches, programs, and experiences that actually build you, not just “glam you up.”

Learn how to do your own hair and makeup. Get savvy with resale. Borrow. Trade. Budget smart.

But most importantly? Stop making money the villain. Stop believing that your success is dictated by how much you can spend.

Success is created by your mindset, your resilience, your willingness to keep growing.

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Money Is Neutral — Your Feelings About It Aren’t

Money isn’t evil. Money doesn’t hate you. Money isn’t scarce. Money is paper. Numbers in a spreadsheet. It’s neutral.

The only energy attached to it is the energy you assign to it.

If you focus on lack, you create more feelings of lack. If you focus on opportunity, you create more awareness of opportunity.

Think about it:

• Have you ever met someone who complained their way to financial freedom?
  
• Have you ever seen someone compare, resent, or shame their way to confidence?
  

Of course not.

Growth doesn’t come from scarcity. It comes from trust, focus, and intentionality.

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If You’re Competing (or Dreaming) Right Now…

Here’s my challenge to you:

• Get smart with your finances.
  
• Get creative with your resources.
  
• But don’t let fear run your decisions.
  

Value yourself enough to invest where it matters most: your skills, your growth, your mindset.

Stop waiting for “enough money” to start your dreams. Start where you are. Use what you have. Build from there.

Because your mindset about money — and about your own worth — will determine so much more than any paycheck or prize ever could.

You are worthy of investing in. You are worthy of thriving. You are worthy of building a life you love — with or without fear dictating it.

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