MONEY HARMONY, LIFE HARMONY
MONEY HARMONY, LIFE HARMONY
Money speaks its own language in the context of Complex PTSD. What appears on the surface as procrastination, avoidance, or ‘bad’ financial habits often masks a deeper story—one of survival responses, emotional flashbacks, and the ways trauma reshapes our relationship…
When you hear the term “financial trauma,” you might immediately think of personal experiences like job loss or bankruptcy. But the roots of financial trauma often run much deeper, embedded in the cultural and societal structures that shape our lives.…
Like a river carving its path through stone, our earliest experiences with money shape lasting patterns. These childhood encounters create deep channels that often guide our financial decisions decades later. The way we saw money flow through our family home…
Money sweeps through our lives like ocean waves, sometimes gently sustaining, sometimes overwhelming. Our response to its ebb and flow is shaped by our most profound experiences—those that shook our sense of identity, safety, or security. The way we handle…
To understand financial trauma, we must first understand trauma itself. While many definitions exist—from clinical to casual—I’ve chosen this inclusive definition from SAMHSA as our foundation: Trauma results from an event, series of events, or a set of circumstances an…
Financial decisions touch every aspect of our lives, yet traditional advice often overlooks a critical truth: our relationship with money runs deeper than spreadsheets and budgets. Through my work and research, I’ve discovered how financial stress and trauma lie at…
As we wrap up our exploration of cognitive biases in personal finance, let’s bring together the key insights and practical wisdom from each article. This series has revealed how our minds process financial information and make decisions, often in ways…
Imagine finding a $100 bill in an old jacket pocket. Would you spend it any differently than $100 from your regular paycheck? If you answered yes, you’ve just encountered mental accounting—a fascinating cognitive bias that shapes how we think about…
Years ago, my unchecked spending habits collided with a family medical crisis, and the fallout was devastating. Without an emergency fund, I lost my home, my car, and nearly everything I had. My spending habits at the time were simple:…
Imagine navigating a river with an anchor dragging behind your boat. Instead of flowing freely, you’re constantly pulled back, restricted by a single point of contact. This isn’t just a nautical nightmare—it’s a metaphor for how our brains get stuck…
Ever notice how the pain of losing $50 feels more intense than joy of finding $50? That’s no accident. Our brains are wired to protect us from loss—so much so that we often avoid risks or decisions, even when the…
This post serves as your gateway to a four-part series exploring how cognitive biases shape our financial decisions. Think of it as your roadmap to understanding the fascinating ways our minds process and sometimes mishandle money matters. Each article in…
Throughout this exploration of financial success through personal development, we’ve journeyed deep into the psychological and emotional dimensions of money management. This series has revealed how personal growth and financial success are intrinsically linked, each supporting and amplifying the other.…
Our relationship with money isn’t just about numbers—it’s a story. A story shaped by our upbringing, experiences, and beliefs. This money story can either guide us toward financial well-being or keep us trapped in patterns that no longer serve us.…
Imagine trying to reach a destination without a map, compass, or GPS. You’d likely wander aimlessly, wasting time and energy. For many people, that’s how their financial life feels—directionless and overwhelming. Goal-setting for financial wellness changes that. It gives you…