Mindfulness & Our Relationship With Money- Takeaways

By Andrea Young on September 19, 2022

Money is a topic that most people shy away from discussing because it can bring about many emotions and stress. We were fortunate to have Lauren Loehning lead our September event, where she discussed how our thoughts, beliefs and past experiences play a part in our relationship with money. Throughout her talk, She shared some actionable steps to help us be more mindful with our money.

What’s your “money story”?

A big part of understanding why you have certain feelings towards money may have something to do with your past. You may have grown up without a lot of money, and now you do, but that experience may make you overly cautious about spending. There is a psychology behind our money habits, so creating your money story helps to understand why you feel this way and will hopefully allow you to move forward with a new perspective.

Acknowledge your negative thoughts

One of the biggest causes of stress when it comes to money is comparing yourself to others. Whether we realize it or not, we are comparing ourselves to those around us. We think thoughts like, they have a better house, or he makes more money than me. These intrusive thoughts can overwhelm you with stress and anxiety. By acknowledging and naming your thoughts/beliefs, you become more aware of when they creep up and begin to control them.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an ever-evolving process that requires time and practice to incorporate into your daily life. Mindfulness requires you to be present without judgment and have the ability to pay attention on purpose, which can be difficult when our minds are constantly working. Our brains are always multi-tasking, thinking ahead and wandering, but practicing mindfulness can help quiet the noise. Although we are talking about money, mindfulness is a practice you can apply in every aspect of your life.

Authors In The Field Of Mindfulness

Author, Jon Kabat-Zinn has written numerous books on Mindfulness.

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown.

Judson Brewer is a Neurologist that has written many books on mindfulness and anxiety.

How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Katy milkman.

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