Releasing Money Worries When Your On a Fixed Income

There’s no magic wand that makes money worries go away. It starts by not focusing on them. That is easier said than done because your brain is wired to find problems and threats, and it’s really good at its job. However, there is a way to stop worrying about your money problems, but it’s not going to come from a magic wand. Not to mention that TV and media outlets know your brain craves problems, so they feed it to you all day long. Turn off CNN and turn on the Disney Channel, where every ending is happy.

Whether you realize it or not, watching Constant Negative News (CNN) isn’t going to make your problems go away. In fact, the opposite is true: what you focus on expands. If you focus on negative things, you will amplify them in your awareness and life. The problem is that years ago, when the news was informative, you created a habit of watching it. It served you well; there weren’t as many ways of getting news back then. 

You watched it in the morning to hear what happened overnight and again in the evening for updates throughout the day. Now, it’s not informative; it’s negative, and it’s on all day long—not just telling you what’s happening in your area but also reporting every bad thing that happened everywhere in the world.

Now your brain is so used to watching it that you can’t stop. You feel yucky every time you watch it, but you also feel a sense of accomplishment because now you are full of information. This information adds no value to your life; in fact, it just zaps what little energy you had left to solve your own problems. Not to mention that by watching the news, it reminds you that your fixed income isn’t enough to live off of and certainly not enough to enjoy life—especially if you are a business owner.

The magic wand I found won’t make everything go away instantly or grow your wealth immediately, but it will make your financial problems (which at their root most problems are) more manageable. When you are in a positive, optimal brain state, handling your problems becomes easier. There are a few tools that we teach in our ThriveWell Collective community, and you’ve read about some of them in past blogs: breathing, stretching, and relaxing. But I’d like to introduce you to one you may not be as familiar with: journaling!

Journaling is a powerful tool for processing emotions and alleviating worries, especially when it comes to financial stress. In this blog, we will explore a special way to journal that can help you confront and manage the emotional weight of money-related concerns.

Understanding Money Stress

Money is often cited as the leading cause of stress. According to various studies, financial worries can lead to significant mental and physical health issues, including anxiety, depression, and even chronic illnesses. Many individuals hold onto their financial stress due to pride, fear of appearing burdensome to others, or embarrassment about not having it all together. This reluctance to seek help can exacerbate feelings of isolation and inadequacy since we often believe that everyone else has their finances under control when, in reality, many are struggling just like you.

Common Misconceptions

• You are not a burden: Seeking help does not make you weak; it shows strength and self-awareness. There is someone who has the skill you don’t. What you find difficult, someone else can do with ease. For that person, what you need wouldn’t be a burden for them. Allow them to help you and trust them to do their best. If you let go of the problem and turn it over to someone else, you may find that it lifts a burden off of you.
• You are not begging: Asking for assistance or advice is a proactive step toward managing your stress. You need clarity on when to ask for help, what to ask for help with, and who to ask for help from. When you're in a reciprocal community where everyone is willing to lend a helping hand, it's much easier to find the words to ask for assistance. Oftentimes in these types of groups, you don’t even have to ask.
• Nobody has it all together: Social media often presents a curated version of reality; behind the scenes, many people face similar challenges. They show you a highlight reel while you're looking at your own blooper reel. You know what mistakes you've made; this makes you self-conscious. You don’t know their mistakes so you believe they’ve somehow surpassed you in wisdom. 
  
  

And let’s get one thing straight: just because someone is good at making money doesn’t make them smart or wise—or even a good person. It means they have navigated that part of the money cycle well. It doesn’t even mean they don’t have money stress; it's likely that even if they have more money than you do, they still experience the same amount of stress—and maybe even more.

Journaling as a Solution

Before you can be authentic with the world, you have to be authentic with yourself. In previous discussions, we explored stress relief through physical activities like stretching and breathing exercises. Now let's look at a more inward approach for relieving stress—journaling—a method that can provide deeper insights into your financial worries and help manifest positive changes in your life both financially and emotionally.

The "Feel, Felt, Found" Technique

One effective journaling technique I recommend is called Feel, Felt, Found. This method allows you to express your current feelings about money while also guiding you toward a more positive mindset.

1. Feel: Start by writing down how you currently feel about your financial situation. This could include feelings of inadequacy or fear—such as "I feel like I'll never get ahead" or "I feel overwhelmed by my bills." By acknowledging these emotions, you validate your experiences, but let’s not get stuck there too long.
2. Felt: Next, you move through your emotions using the second part of the technique. Rewrite these feelings in the past tense—for example: "I felt like I would never get ahead." “I felt like my family was taking advantage of me financially.” This shift helps create distance from these emotions, allowing you to see them as temporary rather than permanent states.
3. Found: Finally, focus on what you want to feel moving forward. Write affirmations such as "I've found ways to save money" or "I found that diversifying my income streams brings me peace." This step is crucial for manifesting your desired outcomes.
   
   

Daily Practice

It's beneficial to practice this journaling technique daily or several times a week. You don’t need to cover everything at once; instead, let your feelings flow naturally over time. As you become more comfortable with this process, begin incorporating positive affirmations about your financial goals.

However, this can be difficult—especially if you don’t believe the affirmation—so start slow. One technique that works is writing statements that feel really true for you:

• "It’s wonderful having enough money to pay all my bills."
• "I’m grateful for the financial opportunities that come my way."
• "I love the freedom that financial stability provides."
  
  

These statements are true! It is wonderful to have enough money to pay your bills—whether or not you're there right now isn’t the point. The goal of these affirmations is for you to start finding true statements that feel good. That way your energy is focused on what you want, rather than on what you don’t want. By focusing on these positive statements rather than dwelling on past struggles, you'll shift toward possibility.

Acknowledging Progress

As you journal about your aspirations and achievements, take time to acknowledge even the smallest wins—whether it's saying no to lending someone money when you're not able or finding ways to increase your income so it's no longer fixed—recognizing these successes reinforces the idea of possibility.

If you're looking for additional support on this journey, consider joining the ThriveWell Collective. This community offers a space where individuals can share their goals and challenges related to health and wealth. Together we can navigate life’s complexities while supporting each other in achieving our dreams.

Wrap-Up

Journaling is more than just writing; it's a transformative practice that can help process emotions related to money stress and visualize a brighter future. By utilizing techniques like Feel, Felt, Found, you'll confront your financial worries head-on and cultivate an outlook geared toward success.

Remember that you're not alone in this journey—many people share similar struggles with money stress. Embrace the power of community through platforms like ThriveWell Collective where support and understanding are just a conversation away.

As we continue exploring methods for managing stress in our lives—be it through stretching or journaling—let's commit to caring for ourselves first so we can better care for those around us. Your well-being is paramount; together we can thrive mentally and financially!