The Start of a Realization:
Let's start by discussing how I figured out there were levels to begin with. I noticed a trend with my finances very early in life. From May through October, my finances were typically abundant, then around December, an event or trigger would significantly deplete my bank account, forcing me to make adjustments. You might think, "Well, duh, it's the holidays." However, growing up in a non-denominational Christian church, celebrating what was considered a "pagan" holiday was frowned upon. Honestly, sometimes it was a good excuse to avoid the gifting process. So, if it wasn't the holidays causing my financial dip... then what was the problem? This pattern repeated every year, regardless of my marital status. I began to brace for it and took mental notes.
Connecting the Dots:
While I was dealing with these ups and downs in my finances, I also noticed that my mood would take a dive as we moved into the colder months. As my children got older, I felt more and more down during the winter, but then things would start looking up again as soon as we got that extra hour of daylight in the spring. It made me wonder: why was this happening to me? What was the lesson here?
I remember one winter, just a few weeks into the new year, when a big test came my way. My husband had just bought a truck for his new job as an over-the-road truck driver. We got a great deal on it—$10,000—and it was supposed to help us turn a nice profit with the business. Then, I got that phone call. His voice was quiet and frustrated, "Hey Babe, I just got into an accident." My first thought was, "Are you okay?" but deep down I was thinking, "Here we go again." He was fine, thankfully, but the truck was totaled. Suddenly, we were back to relying just on my income right after making such a big investment.
This pattern seemed to show up every year, like clockwork. And it wasn’t just happening to me. My friends on social media were facing their own challenges at different times of the year—breakups, car troubles—you name it. It clicked for me then—it was a test. Everyone had their patterns and times. The key was figuring out how to pass this test and see what was on the other side. I was determined to pass it.
Strategies and Breakthroughs:
To break my old cycles, I started with quarterly cleanses, each lasting three days with juices from Bamboo Juices at the change of every season. During these cleanses, I would take walks, limit my social media, and listen to motivational playlists from "Fearless Motivation." I was resetting my own algorithm.
I also stopped saying, "my money changes in these specific months." Instead, I tracked my behaviors and realized I was an emotional spender—when feeling low, I'd splurge, usually on snacks. Recognizing this, I sought to change: I took financial education courses, started biking, and made my children my accountability partners.
I passed the test that year and what I saw was incredible. It was like new opportunities arose and as if I was introduced to people that always knew, but finally were included in the conversation. I saw money completely different. If I can see level two in this area, where else was I struggling and needed to level up. (My Marriage!)
Understanding the Levels:
Level 1 - The Basics
We are all born on Level one. Unfortunately, some of us live and die here, experiencing the same arguments and struggles, even passing them down to our children. Levels can be inherited. This is the crawl or walk phase.
Level 2 - Growth and Passion
Level two is where expertise and passion live. It's the place where you realize you knew nothing at all, and your possibilities are endless. This is your run phase.
Level 3 - Ultimate Freedom
Level three is something I can only feel in my bones and spirit for now. Here, you release doubt, embrace others, and flow freely. You allow what is to be and what is not to be. Sadly, some only see Level 3 momentarily before passing from Level 1, beginning to see how simple life can be and how complicated they made it. I certainly don't want to wait until my deathbed to reach Level 3. This is your fly phase.
Moving Forward:
How can you get to Level 2? Identify your tests, write them down, and design a plan. And when you see the repeats on Level 2, do it again to advance to Level 3.
Let us all aspire to live most of our days in the Fly Phase.
Join a movement of women who are moving into different levels of their life. The most important part of passing the test is being accountable. Mirajo Collective is your accountability partner.
Written by:
Miranda J
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