Last Sunday, I wrote about the waste of worry, and how to limit the time you spend worrying about things that may never happen. This week, I’m going to focus on something almost everyone I know indulges in: worrying about money. In this tough economy, worrying about money has become an accepted part of our culture, and it doesn’t seem to matter how much or how little money you have. Worrying about money has more to do with your mindset than your bank balance.
I’m not a financial expert, so if you’re looking for advice on what to do so you have more money coming in, this is not the right article for you. But I do have some suggestions for you that may help you break the destructive habit of worrying about money.
Gratitude
The energy of gratitude is a powerful force. It can shift your mood and your thoughts very quickly. Gratitude is about being in the present moment, and appreciating what’s around you. Gratitude is about choice: you have the power to choose how you view any given situation in your life.
When it comes to money, we’ve been conditioned to always feel that we never have enough. We’re always looking to make more. But how much is enough? In this old mindset, there is no “enough.” I offer you this as food for thought: if you own a car, you are automatically in the top 7 percent of wealth in the world. If you can’t find a way to be grateful for being in the top 7 percent, rising into the top 4 or 3 or 2 percent won’t make you feel any better about money.
When you feel that you don’t have enough money, ask yourself what you are grateful for in this very moment. When you first start this practice, it may feel artificial, and your response may be “I’m grateful for a sunny day – but I still don’t have enough money.” But over time, the words will take on a different energy. You will start feeling truly grateful, and your mindset will shift.
It can be helpful to make gratitude a formal practice: begin and end each day by listing five things you are grateful for. Your energy will change.
Change how you think about money
Changing how you think about money can also make a difference. Rather than constantly complaining about how expensive everything is, about how you can’t pay the bills this month, and about how the economy will never get better, putting the focus on gratitude rather than lack works here, too. When you pay your electric bill, focus on being grateful that your home is being kept cool all summer long. When you pay your credit card bill, be thankful for all the things you’ve been able to purchase during the billing period. When you pay your lawn service, be thankful that someone else is taking care of a dreaded chore for you and makes your yard look beautiful.
I’m not suggesting that you can think yourself rich by practicing gratitude and changing the way you think and talk about money, but I can promise you that you will spend less time worrying about money as your energy shifts as a result of these practices.
Have faith
Albert Einstein said that there is only one question you need to ask yourself, and your answer to that question will determine your entire outlook on life. It will affect your health, your relationships, and yes, even your finances. That question is “Do you believe in a friendly or a hostile universe?” If you believe in a friendly and supportive universe, you will begin looking for, and seeing, evidence that supports this, and your relationship with money will change. If you’re a spiritual or religious person, draw on your faith to let go of worries about the future. Meditation or prayer help calm your mind and bring peace.
Cats don’t worry about money. They have faith that we will always provide for them. And somehow, the bowl is always full in time for the next meal, and there’s always a sun puddle to nap in, and there’s always a warm lap to curl up in. I think they have the right idea, don’t you?
As someone who formally had three jobs, happily and gainfully employed seven days a week and now down to barely half a part-time job, worrying about money is a constant. I don’t worry about having e.g., a little stipend for clothes, eating out or fun kitty toys – my worries are about how to keep the roof over my head having fallen behind in basic things like rent. Indeed I am grateful – grateful to still have place to live as under other circumstances, a not so nice landlord would have given me the boot. 🙁 Insightful article Ingrid.
A gratitude journal is a great way to keep track of the things you are thankful for! I’ve been meaning to start one for a while now. This post reminded me about that 🙂
Thinking of what you value also helps in how you spend your money.
And getting a really fabulously amazingly well paying job may take one away from one’s cats and loved ones & requires consideration. (Just got such an offer. Nice to know it is there if ever needed but my cats don’t have 9 lives & loved ones don’t either unforutnately.)
You raise an important point with your comment about your job offer, Brenda. If a job takes over your life and keeps you away from your loved ones, it may not be the right one. Good luck with your decision!
Get a Tortie. They are called “Fortune Cats” for a reason. Meow!
Excellent suggestion!
Every now and again I will joke about someday living in a cardboard box under a bridge. Being a former owner of 7 cats, we now have 2 since my others have gone to the rainbow bridge and 2 horses ages 31 and 25 it’s a fitting joke but worth every cent that goes for special cat food, supplements and vet bills. I wouldn’t trade my animals for all the tea in China.
Forgot to mention that owning a pet also leads to non-money contentment.Excellent topic and thanks for informing the reader that a person that owns a car belongs to the top 7% rich of the World!Ultimately “MONEY” satisfaction is basically a psychological feeling of wellbeing and its better dying a millionaire than a pauper.