Went from broke to actually having savings (still feels fake)

Two years ago I was paycheck to paycheck, couldn't handle a car repair without stress. Got a promotion, cut back on stupid spending, and now I actually have a real emergency fund. Still surreal. Last week my truck needed 1200 in work and I didn't panic for the first time in my adult life. My kids don't see the stress anymore. What changed: I stopped eating out constantly, canceled subscriptions, and honestly just got tired of being scared. What I miss: the excuse to not plan, just living day to day. The freedom of not worrying felt real even if it was ignorance. But now I'm planning for their college which is insane to me.