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When the topic of loss is discussed, many think of things like the death of a loved one, divorce, or maybe even job loss; however with the economic downturn in the last few years, financial loss has become the reality for many who have never had to deal with this issue before.
I mentioned in one of my previous blog posts that the subject of money is seen as taboo in casual conversations and that it is seen as rude to ask someone about their money situation. With this in mind, it is no surprise that those dealing with financial loss can find themselves feeling very isolated and distressed about what to do next.
The fact is that financial loss is similar to other types of loss, in that it creates the same feelings of guilt, shame, anger, sadness, anxiety, loneliness, shock, yearning, failure and insecurity. Experiencing these emotions can result in social withdrawal, loss of sleep/appetite (or over-sleeping/eating), excessive worry about money, irritability, marital strife, and low self-esteem/self-worth that result from the change in financial identity. In many situations, financial loss is a direct result of another loss, such as a death, job loss, or illness.
If you are dealing with financial loss, the good news is that you are not alone, and your situation does not have to be permanent! I want to let you know that I speak from experience. All situations that are perceived as negative have new opportunities for change, growth, and awareness sprinkled in. Here are some ideas to help you gain some perspective and get back on track:
~ Be here, now – Don’t beat yourself up about what you should’ve or shouldn’t have done, or about the way things used to be. Grieve, truly experience your emotions, and realize that you are here now and that you have the ability to change your situation.
~ Seek social support – Make sure that this is from somebody who will listen to you and offer you unconditional support. This may not necessarily be the same person who you will turn to for financial guidance, however.
~ Seek help with planning – A coach, therapist, or mentor can help you to sort through the practical and emotional pieces of your situation and then help you to create plans for how to make effective and sustainable changes. If you were not already aware of this, the MorningCoach certified coaches are available and ready to help!
~ Practice gratitude – Keep a gratitude journal where you write things down each day that you are grateful for. It is very easy to experience the distorted perception that everything is going wrong, but what we focus on expands, so begin to focus on what is going right.
~ Keep things in perspective – For many of us, our financial situation is directly tied into our identities. Remember that your finances do not define you or your self-worth. You are a spiritual being who has gifts to share with the world, so get in alignment with yours and tap into your creativity! ~ Tanya Mundo
I was recently remembering back to my childhood and how much fun I had, pre-video games and pre-internet. I think there were about three television channels, maybe four if you could get that last one to tune in. So I may be dating myself a little here, but the point that I am arriving at is that I didn’t need much entertainment because my life was full of fun and adventure, all at the expense of just a little creativity!
Last weekend I attended the most recent MorningCoach event, The Network. What an amazing and exhilarating experience to be in a room full of like-minded, motivated, and absolutely awesome people! What really struck me about the experience is that I wouldn’t have been able to have this experience if I hadn’t decided to invest the time and the money in myself to be able to go. It wasn’t easy for me, as I run my own business, I’m taking a couple of post-master’s level classes, and I run a busy household with four kids, but it was more than worth it!
While many people equate having money with having fun, many find money to be a source of worry and stress, especially when there never seems to be enough of it. However, even when money is tight, it is still important to have some fun! I don’t want you to get the idea that I am suggesting that you forego paying bills to go out and spend money frivolously, but what I am suggesting that you create a special fun money fund.
Now that we are moving into spring, there is more daylight in the evenings, and the weather is warmer, the urge to do some “spring cleaning” has set in. It always amazes me how the accumulation of “stuff” just never seems to end, and I am especially versed in this area after having sold all of my “stuff” and moved across the country or across state lines on numerous occasions. The most significant time was when I moved from Arizona to Virginia. I sold just about everything and flew to Virginia with my children, nine suitcases, and our beloved cat, Manchita. Just over one year later, we had a huge house full of furniture and “stuff”. This has been my experience each time that I have “released” my material possessions, and it is in line with the Vacum Law of Prosperity:
