3 Steps of Money Anxiety

Most individuals rather discuss government, faith and sexuality rather than addressing their money anxiety. This inspired the question of why adults fear talking about their anxiety over money, or why they don't become more intentional about learning money management skills. Money anxiety blocks many adults from feeling empowered financially. Anxiety over money impedes individuals to experience financial freedom. This affects individuals' financial freedom and the general financial health of our societies and ability to save. It is time to eliminate the fear to begin building and converting your current money relationship. If you are agreeing with me as you read this, you are probably asking “how”? You are one of many adults asking this question. Here are three descriptions that may add to the anxiety over money that most adults feel.

1. Feelings of shame and blame because you do not have proficient money management skills. Many adults feel they are supposed to know money management automatically, and this is a mentally harmful thought. Replace this internal conversation by showing compassion for yourself for all the money errors you have made in the past. Choosing to become proactive in your money decisions instead of feeling the anxiety over money is a positive move in learning new skills to improve your personal finances. It will surprise you to see that one action at a time improves your money management skills and makes you feel self-assured.
2. You feel isolated. I want to remove the idea that you are the only person that doesn't know how to manage money successfully. There are approximately seventy percent of adults that are making it paycheck to paycheck. Seventy-six percent of individuals feel that their personal finances are uncontrollable. This information is provided by current research data. If you experience these feelings, it means that you are part of society's majority. Money anxiety makes you feel disappointed and fearful. It is time to give yourself a break.
3. You don't have a point of reference. I am resisting my tendency to preach on this point specifically because this article would become a lecture. Acknowledging the fact that personal finances and money management skills are not part of our educational system's curriculum nor is it passed on to the next generations. From this confirmation, I ask the question of how is it possible for you to know to manage your personal finances well since you were not given this information. Acknowledging this truth that money management skills are not consistently taught this creates a significant obstacle to overcome in order to reach financial independence. I assure you that proficient money management skills are teachable in an orderly process.

rnBasically, you are in the majority if you are feeling shameful and full of fear around money. Most adults were not given this information to know how to manage money well and for this reason they feel confused. Becoming proactive in the process of managing your finances is the best first step in improving your money management ability.