Kristina Runzer, CFP® OnRoute Financial

You’re embarrassed you’re still paying off that credit card, not saving as much as you want, and hustling to get the cash you want out of your business.

You should be beyond those things by now. You should be further ahead.

You feel like you’re behind, and the idea of catching up feels overwhelming.

Have you felt that way before? It’s okay to feel that way.

Those are common thoughts and feelings for human beings to have about money. You’re not alone in that.

But those feelings of “being behind” don’t serve you, and I prefer to look at it another way.

What if…

Your life is unfolding exactly as it’s meant to. You don’t need to be 5 steps ahead of where you are right now.

The place you’re at right now has gotten you from where you were before to where you are now.

The place you’re at right now is teaching you new lessons and helping you grow in ways that are needed to get to the next level.

It may feel slow, but you’re learning and growing at the exact right pace.

Have some patience as you bring your vision to life.

Trust that it’s all going to work out for you.

Be kind to yourself and enjoy the journey.

You can’t rush the process, so why not just release control and have some fun along the way.

Focus on being grateful for where you are and what you have right now.

Trust that if you keep showing up, serving, and doing the things you know you need to do, that you’re going to get to where you want to be.

When it comes to finances, things don’t always turn out as expected. You may feel like you’re behind. You may think you’re doing a bad job or like you’ve made a lot of mistakes. We notice “flaws” and begin to beat ourselves up.

Then comes the negative self-talk. “The world is ending, I suck at life,” type of feelings.

You start doubting yourself and questioning what you’re doing – “I should know how to do this” or “I’m just someone who’s bad with money.”

Why is it that we put such high standards on ourselves to be perfect overnight?

There’s no such thing as perfect, and it takes time to develop new knowledge and skills.

You never learned this stuff in school, from your parents, and you’re not a professional financial planner.

No one has it all figured out, and you’re definitely not alone with where you are.

This is a skill and something that takes time to cultivate. It doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll learn one lesson and then a new challenge will come up, and you’ll face challenges and obstacles all over again. It’s a normal part of the journey.

I don’t expect to know how to market my business, diagnose medical conditions, or prepare a tax return without help, because it’s not my area of expertise, and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

The negative energy of beating yourself up isn’t helping either. When you’re in that headspace, it’s harder to seek solutions and take action. It’s easier to stay stuck avoiding your finances.

It’s okay not to have it all figured out. It’s okay to need help.

When you notice that you’re beating yourself up, practice giving yourself grace.

It’s a journey. It’s a process. You can 100% do it, and I don’t doubt that. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to feel like you’re behind.

Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. You’re learning a new skill. The more you practice and show up, the better you’ll get.

It’s your heartbeat thumping in your chest, waking up at 3 am in a state of panic, and that uneasy feeling as you go through your day. It’s financial stress. It’s feeling worried about your finances, and like you’re the only one who is having this experience.

You look around at friends and colleagues and think that they have it all figured out.  One just had a 6 figure launch, the other is rapidly expanding her team, and meanwhile, you’re scrolling Instagram and seeing all the vacations, cute outfits, and successful businesses, wondering why you can’t have that life.

How is it that you’re the only one with money stress, while everyone else is out there living their best life?  Who can you talk to about this without feeling judged?

I get that financial stress feels very lonely, but I have a little secret for you. Everyone has financial stress. The image that is projected to the outside world is not the full picture.  When I dig deeper with clients, I see that we all have the same worries and fears.

Everyone is stressed about practical things like paying down debt, saving and investing, and learning the language of money.

Everyone struggles with their money mindset and feels worried and fearful at times.  No one truly has it all figured out 100% of the time. New challenges and roadblocks constantly come up in life, and it’s the same way with money.  You overcome an obstacle, then a new one comes up. It’s part of the journey.

There’s so much shame and fear of judgment around money that many people don’t open up about what’s really going on beneath the surface.  So of course you’re going to think that everyone else has it all figured out, and you’re the only one with concerns and stress. When really, the opposite is true. We all experience stress.

One may be concerned about investing, while the other is concerned about paying down debt. One may run a million-dollar business, while the other is just starting out. The numbers and issues may vary, but the feelings are the same.

Why do I tell you this?  To show you that you’re not alone.  You are not the only one who feels fears, anxieties, and overwhelm from time to time.  That’s a completely normal way to feel about your finances.

Don’t beat yourself up.  Give yourself grace and space to feel this way.

When you’re ready, you can work through those feelings and create a money mindset that feels better to you.

You can release shame, release fears, and learn how to cope with your stress.  There are tools that you can use when you find yourself in a negative state to get yourself back on track and feeling good.

If you want to learn about tools and resources that can help or have a place to talk it through,  I will hold that space for you in a judgment-free zone.

You can schedule a free money chat with me to vent, let it all out, and brainstorm solutions to move forward.