The Best Way to Uncover Your Money Story
So what’s your story? And don’t start telling me about the time you were five and Larry kissed you on the playground or when you got the call for your dream job. I want to know your MONEY story?
Everyone has a money story. EVERYONE.
I’m willing to bet parts of your story block your abundance, cause you constant worry and prevent you from feeling worthy and deserving. And I’m also willing to bet you don’t even know what your full story is. Most of us don’t.
The way you look at money (or avoid it) or your not-so-pretty money habits aren’t just “things you do.” They are the outward reflection of the inward story you have inherited or created.
And if you don’t know your current story, how can you expect to create a future story of abundance? Let’s begin to uncover your story now…
Do you remember:
Your mom leaving the day’s shopping in the car, so she could bring it in when your dad wasn’t home?
Driving in a rich neighbourhood and hearing your older sister say “we would never live here, it’s for rich people.”
Constantly hearing that your family was “too broke, didn’t have enough money, or couldn’t afford” so you never asked for anything.
Receiving your siblings or other kid’s hand-me-downs because buying new clothes was too expensive and a waste of money.
Watching your dad work long hours and then spend money generously on you to compensate for his not being at home.
Your stay-at-home mom relying on your dad and never having any money of her own.
Seeing your parents stressed out when the bills had to be paid or even constantly arguing about money.
Being asked to hand over your paycheck because as a teenager, you weren’t trustworthy enough with money.
These are all examples of childhood money stories; experiences around money that you had while growing up.
Why are these important?
Because it is these experiences, often so deep in our subconscious, that define what our money story is as adults.
Let me explain what I mean. Do you struggle with:
Spending beyond your means and not looking at any of your bills or how much debt you’re in? (Avoidance behaviours picked up from your mom when she hid the shopping)
Feeling worthy of wealth? (Wealth is unattainable; your sister said so)
Repeating the words “can’t afford that, don’t have the money, that’s too expensive” either to yourself or your kids? (These are the stories you were told, so they must STILL be true for you, right? And if it was true for you as a child, it must be true for your children, of course?)
Purchasing items at full price and finding yourself constantly looking for a deal and buying what’s “affordable” instead of what you really want? (You came from a poor family, you have to remember your roots, you could one day be broke too)
Love-bombing everyone with financial gifts? (It’s how love was shown to you)
Feeling uncomfortable, as a woman, to earn and manage your money? (Your mom couldn’t do it, how can you?)
Feeling stressed and overwhelmed with your finances and easily avoiding your bills and bank account? (It’s the only way you know how to think and feel about money. You were never shown how to have a healthy relationship with it).
Fear of making too much money and not knowing what to do with it? (You were told you’re not trustworthy with money, maybe that’s true)
These are all money blocks.
Stories and beliefs about money that became your normal as you were a child and the ones that you continue to hang onto into adulthood. And although you didn’t have control over the story when you were younger, you definitely have the power to change that narrative now.
If you want to create different financial results, you have to create different thoughts around money. Holding onto thoughts that no longer serve you is blocking you from the money, wealth and abundance you desire.
JOURNAL PROMPT: WRITE DOWN ALL THE THINGS YOU REMEMBER ABOUT MONEY AS A CHILD AND THEN COMPARE THEM TO YOUR CURRENT MONEY THOUGHTS TO UNCOVER YOUR BLOCKS.
Curious to know more about money stories? Head here to learn how your money story is creating your true financial identity.
WANT TO UNCOVER MORE OF THE LIMITING BELIEFS THAT ARE BLOCKING YOU FROM THE MONEY AND SUCCESS YOU DESIRE?
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