By Robyn Davis
When I was really young, I thought having money meant you did everything right. I know now that every experience teaches a lesson that adds to your knowledge, your journey.
Living through overdraft fees, paychecks that seem straight up unethical, and the silent panic attacks when due dates slowly approached, still- I’m here. Not surviving, learning.
here’s what money has really taught me over the years.
- You will not shame yourself into stability. Shame will not get you much of anything; when I was late with a payment or those moments where I thought back to myself “should’ve saved that.” I had to learn that wasn’t helping and, what does shame solve?
- Budgeting is not a punishment. No way is it meant to restrict, and I had to learn that over time. It’s now the boundary between me and reckless spending. Direct spending allows me to see what I’m doing full scope, where I can track daily.
- You don’t owe yourself to the dollar. Yes, you may work a job that you don’t necessarily love or have some sort of debts that you owe. You are also owed a life, and the frequency at which money will come and go, is a process that no one can judge you for. You must take care of yourself.
- Money reveals your patterns. If I spend when I’m anxious, avoid my balances when I’m overwhelmed, and then feel triggered by a bill; that doesn’t mean I’m awful with money-it means I have to change or improve the pattern: I.e. Budgeting.
- You deserve softness no matter what is in that account. Even if funds are low, I still deserve warmth, to light my candle, to rest. Struggle doesn’t cancel out self-love.
Every hard moment in the sand gave me something. And I’m still not where I want to be yet. But I’m learning. Money isn’t the direct focus. It’s knowing what to do with it when you have it. That’s wealth building.
What’s one financial lesson you had to learn the hard way, but are now thankful for? I’d love to hear from you :)
k bye
Robyn
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