The Truth About Freedom I Didn't Know Until I Finally Stopped

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Dear Live Rich Family,

One year ago, I hit "send" on the very first Live Rich Retire Rich newsletter. I had no idea what it would become — only that I wanted to create something meaningful. Something that honored both wealth and well-being. Something that tells the truth about money and success without losing sight of the soul and humanity.

This community has grown beyond anything I imagined. You’ve shared your wins, your fears, and your dreams. You’ve responded to the polls, forwarded the emails, and written back with love, questions, and reflections. I’ve learned so much from you. And now, as we mark this milestone — our first anniversary — I want to take a moment to pause, reflect, and share something tender.

Because if I’m being honest?

This month nearly broke me.

When Life Says: Sit Down

Three days in bed. Flat. Exhausted. Aching. No energy. Nothing left to give. Even my voice felt like it went inward, refusing to speak unless I got quiet enough to listen.

That’s when my assistant texted me something that cracked my heart open:

“Najma, it’s okay if you want to take some space.”

And in that moment, I cried. Because he gave me the very permission I couldn’t yet give myself.

I realized I’d never actually stopped since I quit my corporate job two years ago. I left that world because of burnout — a literal breakdown — but what did I do next?

I poured myself into launching a consulting business. I invested my savings. I said yes to every opportunity. I joined mastermind calls. Built offers. Led programs. Showed up, over and over.

But I never took a break. Not a real one.

So this July, life said, “Rest. Heal. Breathe. You don’t have to earn your worth.”

And I listened.

This Is What Freedom Actually Feels Like

For the first time in over 25 years of professional life, I took a vacation where I didn’t open my laptop. No calls. No texts to team members. No client emergencies. I was simply off.

I gave myself an entire month off in July.

I lived.

I wandered. I played tourist in my own city. I took the older kids in the family to Brooklyn Bridge Park, and we had one of those unforgettable NYC mornings. The kind where teenagers wake up early (gasp!), forget the basketball (of course!), and make spontaneous Target runs before arriving at the courts like champions. They actually expressed gratitude for taking them and being so patient with them! It woud have been easy to lecture them, but I had time and was in my flow. 

They played. I watched. I walked the piers. I sipped iced refreshers and stared at the water. I sat on shaded benches and let myself be. The night before, we had crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. This was something I had wanted to do since college and asked myself, “Why did this take so long?” I have to give credit to my sister for nudging us to move and do it.

I also went on a family trip to the Poconos and recreated memories from a past visit. Connecting with nature was so healing. You get to step out of your head and witness the beauty, joy, and abundance around you. The trees, waterfalls, birds, sunshine — all of it was gifted to us to enjoy. That presence puts you into an abundance frequency. And that’s why I hear over and over from mentors and friends: get out into nature. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t monetized. But it was rich. Deeply.

And that’s the question I want you to hold with me:

What does a rich life actually mean to you?

The Pillars of an Abundant Life

Here at Live Rich Retire Rich, we talk about money. Yes. But not just money.

We talk about wellness. Because what’s the point of wealth if you’re not well enough to enjoy it?

We talk about relationships because no amount of money will replace the joy of feeling deeply seen and supported.

We talk about spirituality. Because you are not just a body with goals — you are a soul with purpose.

So when I say Live Rich Retire Rich, I’m talking about the whole, radiant, messy, magical spectrum of abundance:

• Having enough money to breathe and build a legacy.

• Feeling free enough to say no, rest, play, create.

• Being held in love by family, by community, by Spirit.

That’s what I’ve been reflecting on all month. That’s the shift I’m still sitting in.

Guilt Still Whispers

And yet… guilt still whispers.

It says: “You’re not doing enough.”

“You’re losing momentum.”

“You’re watching your savings dwindle.”

“You should be building, networking, and showing up more.”

That voice lives in me. It probably lives in you too. Especially if, like me, you’ve been a high achiever since you were a kid. Especially if you’re the one everyone leans on; especially if you pride yourself on always figuring it out.

But here’s what I’m learning — and it’s changing everything:

Sometimes, rest is the strategy.

Sometimes the most radical act is to stop, trust, and listen. To let your soul lead instead of your schedule.

To journal.
To cry.
To feel.
To ask: What is enough?

Also, something beautiful my assistant reminded me of that truly landed in my heart: many people live either in the past or the future. We obsess over past mistakes or try to perfect a future that doesn’t yet exist. We procrastinate, overthink, and miss the very moment we’re living in. As the wise turtle master in Kung Fu Panda once said, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift — that’s why it’s called the present.” Let’s not forget to open it.

Journals, Truths & Healing

You know I journal often - and this past month, I wrote some of the most honest pages of my life. Here’s a small peek into what came through:

• “Do things even if they feel ‘beneath’ you. Drop the all or nothing attitude. Take that consulting gig if you have to. Create freedom so you can do what you love.”

• “Your family is your teacher. They will trigger you, heal you, and love you.”

• “Manifest magically, not logically.”

• “Serve with love, or don’t serve at all.”

• “You are a beacon of light and abundance.”

• “Generosity doesn’t mean depletion. It’s about upliftment.”

• “The frequency of spirit is love. The frequency of wealth is gratitude.”

• “Start doing the work even though it feels uncomfortable.”

• "Creator, open my heart so I can feel the pain of others, especially the pain of those I’m at war with, or whom I judge. Help me listen without judgment, see beneath their words, and remember that behind every reaction is a soul longing to be seen. Let me be a vessel for Your Light, so my presence brings comfort to all who experience it." (From David Ghiyam)

Those aren’t just notes. They’re reminders.
Daily journaling is a game changer and I strongly urge you all to make it a practice.

It becomes a manifesto for your life…a decree….to witness your own transformation.

Your Turn - A Little Ask

Later this week, you’ll receive a quick email from me with a very short community poll. I deeply want your feedback.

Why?
Because I want to keep creating content that actually matters to you.

Please, when you see it, take 2 minutes to respond. I want to learn:

• What you’ve loved most over the past year

• What do you want more of (or less of)

• Who you are, what you’re dreaming of, and how I can support you

We’ve built something special here, and I want to grow it with you.

A Gift - For You, From Me 💝

To celebrate our one-year anniversary, I want to offer you something from my heart:

If you reply to this email and simply say “Send me the gift,” I’ll send you a FREE PDF copy of my book, MRS Independent — my published guide on becoming unstoppable and unbreakable by creating abundance in Money, Relationship, and Spiritualtiy. It’s my way of saying thank you.
Thank you for reading.
For replying.
For caring.
For being part of my dream.

Because I’m not here to build an audience. I’m here to create a legacy with you.

Final Word: What Is Enough?

Morgan Housel — one of my favorite authors — said something once that I’ll never forget:

“There are people who had everything and lost it all because what they had wasn’t enough.”

Think about Bernie Madoff. He lost it all because what he already had wasn’t enough.
Think about the voice that always wants more.
Think about the cost of chasing endlessly.

But also, think about you.
Right here.
Right now.

Look around your life and ask yourself:

• What do I already have that is abundant?

• What does freedom look like for me?

• How much money, time, and love do I need to feel truly fulfilled?

Your answers are your roadmap.
And you deserve to ask them out loud.

Let’s move from hustle to harmony. From fear to fullness. From pressure to peace.

Live richly. Rest deeply. Rise fully.
Najma Zanelli
Book A Private Call
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Founder, NAZ Global Consultancy
Email: [email protected]

PS: Forward this email to someone who needs to hear this message today. Let’s spread love, light, and legacy — one inbox at a time. 💫

PPS: Stay tuned — I’ll be launching my new digital shop via Stan Store in September with affordable, empowering courses and downloads to support your money and mindset journey. For now, I’m enjoying this beautiful summer with my kids… just like I promised them (and myself).