Money and Mental Health Recap, January 28th, 2025

In our first Money & Mental Health Club, we explored the connection between financial stress and mental well-being. We kicked things off with a MarketWatch article that revealed some eye-opening statistics: nearly 9 in 10 people report significant financial stress, and over 90% experience physical health symptoms as a result. These numbers reinforced just how crucial it is to have open, supportive conversations about money and mental health!

Scarcity

We shared personal experiences around financial stress, especially for those who grew up in scarcity. Many of us reflected on how our upbringing shapes our ability to make financial decisions and live the lives we want today.

Self-Care

The conversation also focused on self-care practices when finances feel overwhelming. Some members turn to classic self-care rituals like candles and baths, while others find comfort in community spaces like The Pledgettes. For many, structured financial habits, like regular “money dates”, help separate fact from the narratives we create in our minds.

Avoidance

We also tackled the common challenge of avoiding financial tasks that contribute to stress. Strategies included finding an accountability partner (I love talking about the social facilitation theory and body doubling), making financial tasks as comfortable as possible, celebrating small wins, and reminding ourselves how we feel after confronting difficult tasks head on.

Mental Health Disorders

Lastly, we discussed how mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can make it even harder to manage finances due to executive functioning challenges. Mental health disorders can reduce our capacity and frustration tolerance, making simple things even harder, like breaking tasks down and approaching difficult to-do items.

This discussion was a reminder that financial well-being is deeply tied to mental health, and by approaching it with support, self-awareness, and intentional habits, we can reduce stress and build financial confidence.

Please let me know if there is anything that you would like to be covered in future groups and I look forward to having more conversations about Money and Mental Health!

Our next meeting is April 15th, please join us! For those who are not a part of the Pledgettes, get your tickets on Eventbrite. The first three tickets sold are free!

If you are struggling with anxiety related to your finances or economic uncertainty, reach out to me to see how I can help!