My 2023 Glow-Up: Embracing Money Healing 💸✨
Guest Blog by Money Healing Club Moderator, Melissa Jensen
The biggest thing I did in 2023 was go to financial therapy.
Whenever I proudly declare this, it's like music to ears – friends are instantly curious, asking, "What's financial therapy, and how do I sign up?" Turns out, even those friends who seem to have their financial game on point harbor some BIG feelings about money. Whether it's rooted in family history, our childhood economic situations, or the anxiety of adulthood, many of us carry some money trauma that's been quietly pulling the strings in the background.
Despite my financial education, I found myself trapped in a cycle of overspending, perpetually stressed about money. Overspending had become a sort of coping mechanism during the pandemic, a way to navigate the uncertainty. It took a toll, leaving my home cluttered, my savings dwindling, and credit card debt piling up. I'd set a budget every month, only to watch it crumble. No matter how much I learned about investing, saving, or budgeting, it became crystal clear – I needed more than just financial advice. And that's when I embarked on my money healing journey. 🌈💪
Let's debunk a few myths about money healing first:
❌ It's not about learning how to budget.
❌ It's not doling out financial advice.
❌ It's certainly not shaming you into making better purchasing decisions.
So, what is money healing all about?
✨ Identifying your core beliefs about money.
✨ Learning to work with your emotions instead of against them when spending.
✨ Breaking free from cycles of money trauma.
✨ Engaging in some much-needed self-care.
Thanks to both the Money Healing Club and my one-on-one sessions with the amazing Rachel Duncan, I started to unravel the tangled emotions behind my spending habits. Rachel's guidance helped me unearth the patterns of financial anxiety that had been holding me back, and together we crafted practical strategies to break free from them. Through the supportive community of the Money Healing Club, I found solace in shared experiences, realizing that I wasn't alone in my financial challenges. This journey has been a tapestry of self-discovery, weaving resilience, self-compassion, and a clearer path to financial security into the fabric of my life. 🌟💖💸
Here are a few things that I discovered during this transformative journey:
💖 I crave a life surrounded by beautiful things.
💖 Fear grips me when it comes to holding onto my money.
💖 I'm naturally generous and find joy in caring for others.
💖 I was using spending as a way to cope with the chaos in the world.
💖 I lacked a sense of ownership over my money.
💖 Imagining my future self is tough, making it tricky to plan for her needs.
💖 Saving money can be just as exhilarating as spending it.
💖 Budgeting alone wasn't cutting it – understanding the 'why' was crucial.
💖 Emotional spending is a shared struggle, and community is the secret sauce to healing.
As we move into 2024, I finally feel like I can set and stick to financial goals because I've put in the hard work of healing. But guess what? The journey doesn't end here; it continues to unfold with the ongoing support of the Money Healing Club. I’m looking forward to more self-discoveries but also more wins and moving towards a more secure financial future. 🌟💕
Here's to a future of financial bliss and ongoing healing! 🌈💰✨
