Making Life Simple Again

How the Writing Went in 2024

The fact that I didn’t write more during 2024 was largely due to personal reasons. Close family members weren’t doing well, and I also faced some health issues. I had a gallstone attack that caused pancreatitis. I was hospitalized for a few days until the inflammation subsided.

I also felt unwell for a while afterward, and suddenly it was Christmas and New Year again. I am currently working on Chapter 9. It would have been nice to have finished Chapter 10 last year, but you can’t have everything in life

Writing Goals for 2025

I aim to write 7 chapters this year, so by the end of this year I will have completed 15 chapters. I’m not setting the bar any higher because health issues really give you perspective. The gallstone attack may have been triggered by several factors, including stress. From now on, I plan to be more mindful of my eating habits. After all, without good health, nothing else matters.

How the Investments Went in 2024

My goal for 2024 was to have a portfolio worth 200,000 SEK and to receive more than 9,315 SEK in dividends. My portfolio increased by 19.88%, with a year-end value of 173,587 SEK. I received 11,868 SEK in dividends. So, I only met the dividend goal, but I’m satisfied with the year nonetheless. A nearly 20% increase in value is still a positive outcome.

Investment Goals for 2025

Setting goals for the new year is tricky, but it would be nice to break the 200,000 SEK mark. That feels more realistic this year, considering my portfolio is currently close to 180,000 SEK.

I’m No Longer Focusing on Dividends

This year, I’m rethinking my investment strategy. I will no longer focus on dividends, and I’ll explain why. Last year, several changes occurred with my dividend stocks. Dividend cuts happened in Leggett & Platt and Prospect Capital, and I’ve experienced dividend cuts before in Orchid Island Capital and W.P. Carey, among others.

I’ve been influenced by all those dividend investors talking about FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). They say it’s great to have dividends as passive income. I also like that idea, but we’ll see how I feel about dividends going forward.

It’s a Different Era Now

I’ve increasingly realized that there are few stocks you can buy and simply hold for the long term. Dividend stocks carry significant risks. You can’t rely on previously stable companies to remain successful 10 years down the line. The times we live in now are more unpredictable. In tough times, dividends are the first thing to go. It’s good to be aware of this.

Things Can Shift Rapidly

An EU directive made it impossible to trade certain securities at my bank. I can sell the stocks, but I can’t buy new ones. This is frustrating because it includes companies like Main Street Capital, which have performed well and consistently raised their dividends.

Initially, I thought about keeping these stocks as long as possible, but since I can’t buy new ones at the moment—and it’s uncertain if I’ll ever be able to again—it’s just not the same anymore. There’s also a risk that these stocks could become harder to sell later on, once the EU directive becomes more widely known.

No More Worries About Dividend Cuts

Foreign dividends also come with higher taxes, which eat into profits. I no longer have to worry about the crashes that often accompany dividend cuts. Many companies don’t recover after cutting their dividends. Investing for dividends also makes the most difference when you have a larger amount of capital. I currently have too little for it to make a noticeable difference.

I’ll Focus on Trading Instead

I’ll be focusing more on trading instead. I’ll buy stocks with higher liquidity and that seem more stable. Some of these also pay dividends, but I’m no longer choosing stocks based on dividends. My goal with investments is simply to grow my capital by reinvesting profits. There will probably be room for some high-risk stocks as well.

This Year, I’m Taking Steps Toward a Simpler Life:

I Write a Few Lines in My Diary Each Day

I bought a 5 year diary that I started on January 1st. Since I write something every day, it becomes more and more interesting to go back and read. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get an overview of my life and spot certain patterns.

I’ve Deleted My Instagram Account

After much thought, I’ve deleted my Instagram account. At first, I thought I’d keep it for marketing purposes, but I believe the downsides of social media outweigh the benefits. Hopefully, this will reduce my screen time. Maybe I’ll create an Instagram account or something similar later on—when the book is finished—who knows? For now, it feels good to be without it.

Breaking Free from Phone Addiction

Those who know me are aware of my struggles with phone addiction. At the start of the year, I set my screen time to zero minutes for certain forums that are easy to get lost in. I don’t need more input right now—I should listen inwardly instead. I also put my phone in another room when blogging, writing in my diary, or working on my novel.