Let's talk about money. (Did you just flinch?)
Talking about money is a little bit like talking about sex, politics, or religion; for some people, it causes anxiety and stress. How about you? If thinking about spending or saving money, retirement or vacations, makes you feel anxious, hang onto your hat because we're going in deep and finishing this post with solutions and confidence.
Why Finances Can Be So Stressful
It goes without saying that money is important. You need it, you want it, but you also freak out about it. You might not have the self confidence to handle money, the knowledge to know how to invest, or even worry there won't be enough. On the other hand, it might burn a hole in your pocket: as soon as you have it, it seems to disappear.
Let's be real: finances can be triggering, especially for women who often juggle a million things at once. From pay gaps to caregiving duties, it's no wonder we might feel a little overwhelmed, especially if you watch the news.
Whether the stock market is up or down, you got a raise or not, there are several factors that cause women in particular to feel anxious about their financial future.
Societal Expectations: Women often face societal pressures to be perfect in all areas of life, including finances. This forced perfectionism can lead to unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy.
Gender Pay Gap: The gender pay gap still exists which means that women earn less than men on average, making it harder to achieve financial stability.
Caregiving Responsibilities: Women are often the primary caregivers for children and elderly parents, which can significantly impact their earning potential and financial flexibility.
Economic Uncertainty: The current economic climate can be a source of anxiety for everyone, but depending on who you listen to and what you look for, you might be feeling someone else's stress when it isn't necessary.
No matter where you get your news, one thing is certain, you're not the only person who feels stressed about money and this overwhelm doesn't have to last. when you learn to identify and manage signs of stress and anxiety around money.
Common Signs of Financial Anxiety
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by money, you might find yourself avoiding anything that has to do with your financial life. You're not looking at your bank statements, bills, or credit card statements, or the money you actually have in the bank or investments.
On days when you're feeling stressed or anxious, you might head out for some retail therapy instead of managing stress and anxiety in a way that keeps you from spending too much money to feel better.
Or, you may decide while you're particularly anxious that it's time to start saving. Instead of creating a budget or finding one small way to get started, you set goals that are way too high and then beat yourself up when you self-sabotage soon after.
Strategies for Managing Stress and Anxiety About Money and Finances
Working with a personal development or financial coach can help you develop strategies to manage stress and anxiety around money and finances. With coaching you can:
Develop an abundance and positive mindset around money.
Explore the underlying beliefs and emotions that make you feel anxious about spending and/or saving money.
Learn techniques to manage stress and reduce overwhelm when bills and expenses happen.
Feel confident in your ability to make and save money and spend money you want to spend without overthinking and unnecessary anxiety.
Feeling anxious about spending, saving, having and not having enough money is a common experience, but it doesn't have to control your life. By understanding the root causes of what makes you feel anxious and implementing effective strategies that work for you, you can take feel calm and confident in your financial future while you have fun living your life.
Comments