How can I be kinder to myself when it comes to money?

This week, we’ve been yarning about self-care and how that fits into the scope of financial wellness. The questions received have promoted a deeper exploration around the topic; how to be kinder to yourself, while trying to navigate between a Western and Indigenous economy and while battling money trauma.

I’m going to ask you to close your eyes and think back: what’s your earliest memory of money? How did you feel in that moment: good, bad, anxious? You see, memory has its own muscle and a funny way of hanging around, showing up in our present. It takes us reclaiming our right to stability and knowing we’re deserving of a prosperous future to see the path forward.

If money slips through your hands and you don’t know why, it’s okay to remind yourself: we’re all learning here and it’s never too late to start feeling secure with money. The wonderful thing about life is, every day we’re writing our own stories and you, being the author of your book, can write your story however you see fit. You can change whatever you like, including your destination. However, it all starts with a little self-care and unwinding psychological barriers.

There are a few ways we can start being kinder to ourselves from today, no matter where we are on our financial journey. Firstly, I want you to accept your very first feeling toward money and close your eyes once more. How would you like your mindset to be toward money now? Abundant, relaxed, comfortable? Whatever the feeling, I want you to hold onto it and know you deserve to get there and can.

Stay with that feeling and work out first and foremost, what are your incomings and fixed outgoings? What are you left with following that? If you have those figures in place, realistically, how much can you tuck away every month? Auntie says you don’t need to have a lot to save a little. And she’s right! As a practice of self-love and in the pursuit to strengthen a new muscle, I welcome you to start saving whatever that amount is, just for a rainy day. The idea behind this is to see yourself through the lens of someone who is taking control of their financial future, because that is exactly who you are.

We start small but aim big, so this is your call to action; this is your empowerment to reach for the stars and achieve whatever it is you want in life. If it’s clearing debt and getting a house deposit, then it’s time; if it’s retraining and pursuing studies to start a new career journey, then it’s now; if it’s simply just to feel secure and have enough to look after yourself, friends and family, then today is the day.

Let us be your guide and let’s journey together. If you’re on the road to self-healing and financial freedom, we’re here for you every step of the way. Remember, life can turn on a dime, so love yourself no matter where you are.

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