“Money, like emotions, is something you must control to keep your life on the right track.”
I recently read this quote by author, Natasha Munson and it didn’t sit very well with me. It just felt too…disconnected. Cold.
I can’t even imagine telling a client, “look, if you want your life to stay on track, you must control your emotions”. I don’t think I’d ever say that to a client for financial planning either.
I think instead, when someone’s emotions or finances are out of control, they respond better to invitation and curiosity. Maybe something more like, “when your life isn’t on track, let’s be curious together and see if we can understand more about what’s happening in you and around you. Let’s explore together.”
When people develop insight into what’s taking place within them, they can validate the emotions they are experiencing and trust they feel them for good reason. This is the path to self-compassion and a further understanding of the underlying need. Along with skills to regulate emotions, this posture of kindness toward oneself can create a powerful, healing experience. I’ve noticed new patterns in how people begin to relate to themselves and others organically formed through this process.
It’s really no different for finances. Developing insight about money’s meaning and the emotions evoked, being curious about financial habits and exploring with compassion the reasons for behaviors, and then connecting the two with validation and seeking out the true needs, are all crucial steps along the road to empowerment and healing. And the result is more effective at meeting the underlying need.
So, money, like emotions, is something to be curious about and explore with compassion to keep your life filled with kindness and hope.
Foundation Planning 