Navigating Through Financial Anxiety
Financial anxiety is something that many of us have experienced. With inflation at an all time high, it is completely normal to be experiencing increased anxiety surrounding finances. This can be especially triggering for those of us that may have experienced financial trauma. Many live from paycheck to paycheck, consistently living in their nervous system's stress response while trying to make ends meet. When a client experiences financial hardship, sessions become less about talk therapy and more of connecting them to resources. There are no coping skills that could ever take away the fear of not being able to keep a roof over your head. For those that may experience anxious thoughts surrounding finances, here are some things that can help ease the discomfort:
Create realistic & attainable goals for your finances
Create a plan to meet those goals
Assess your spending habits and make adjustments when needed
Recognize and acknowledge any emotions that arise surrounding financial anxiety. Some people have financial trauma that can get activated when triggered
Talk through those emotions with a trusted person and/or mental health professional
Seek financial advise from trusted professionals in the industry
Replace unhealthy coping habits such as impulsive spending with healthier ways of coping
Recognize that your salary does not define your worth
It is important to acknowledge that most people (that weren't born into financial privilege) have experienced anxiety surrounding money at one point or another. Although the thought of finances can bring up anxiety for many, with the cost of living seemingly going up every day, there are things that we still have control over. For those that may be experiencing financial hardship, I have added some resources in the highlights section of my instagram account.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this blog does not substitute for mental health services or financial advice. These are my personal thoughts gained from my experiences and education as a psychotherapist. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.