How your relationship with money can affect your overall wellbeing.
Constantly worried about her financial situation, 54 year old Penny believed she had been cursed by bad luck. She felt unsuccessful, disappointed and exhausted as she struggled to manage her debt and keep on top of her living expenses, Existing pay to pay, with nothing left over for the fun things in life, Penny also hated her job. She was trapped and unhappy, with no relief in sight.
Luckily, she reached out for help.
Exploring her relationship with money during our Clarity Session, Penny explained that she grew up in a rather traditional household. Her dad was the main breadwinner, her mum never worked outside of the home and her family expected her to find a husband, have children and follow in her mother’s footsteps. With education low on the list of priorities, Penny was never encouraged to do well in her studies.
Leaving school at a young age, it was difficult to find a well-paid job. Her life took a path different to the one planned for her; marriage and motherhood didn’t eventuate and she made some bad financial decisions which left her struggling. Stressed and angry, Penny felt that she was a disappointment to her family and, more importantly, to herself.
To help Penny, I worked with her to change her mindset, conditioning and ongoing relationship with money. Realising the negative connection that existed with her financial situation gave her the power to change it. Through talking, exploring and ‘transferring’ her struggles to someone who could help her, Penny realised that it was possible to gain control of her finances and, in turn, live a better life.
5 exercises to improve your relationship with money
Visualisation
Close your eyes and imagine you will wake up in the morning and live your ideal life. What does it look like? Who are you with? Where do you live? The finer the details, the better. Practice this daily.
Change your language
Speak positively to, and about, yourself. Use phrases like ‘I’m successful,’ ‘I’m doing well’ and ‘I deserve a great life’. Make a conscious decision to use these and your confidence and optimism will quickly grow.
Practice gratitude
At the end of every day, write down three things you are grateful for. Look at what you achieve each day and say out loud ‘I’m thankful for .... (being healthy, etc)’. Journal your journey so you can look back and see your growth and development.
Positive affirmations
Write a positive mantra such as ‘I will be financially secure’ and stick it on post-it notes around your house – on your mirror, at your desk, next to your bed etc. Put it in places where it will be an ongoing reminder of the work you are doing to change your mindset.
Change your habits
Practice being the ‘new you’ every day. Change your routines and behaviours so you practice positivity daily. Remember, it takes 30 days to change a habit, so keep trying even when it feels difficult.
If you practise these exercises, you will work towards gaining a new relationship with money. Over time, your perspective will change and it will no longer feel like a daily battle of what you ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ do. Understanding how you view money and what it means to you is the first step to improving your connection and creating a sense of control in your financial world.
Take this simple step to ‘uncondition’ your relationship to money and begin to live your best life. Contact us to find out more.