Lead Like You

CHAPTER 9Financial self-care

I don't know about you, but for me, and many of the women I know and have worked with over the years, money can be a very confronting and uncomfortable topic. During our upbringing and within our cultures, there can be unspoken rules around not talking about money. We often like to bury our heads in the sand about it. When the issue of money is raised, we may feel shame, regret, powerless, undervalued, denial, guilt or perhaps a range of other emotions.

I don't believe there is one woman on the planet who has not faced issues around money at some point in their lives — whether that be about overspending or underspending, under-earning, managing success and wealth, etc. Whether you carry the responsibility of being the primary breadwinner or the primary caregiver at home, you are not alone. If this topic challenges or confronts you in any way, please know it's okay and together we will explore this topic with enormous self-compassion.

In fact, if this is a sensitive subject for you, before we dive into it, I would invite you to place your hand on your chest with me now and take two deep, long breaths in and out. Say the following mantra out loud:

I am willing to become aware of and learn whatever will support me to truly value myself, deeply respect myself and care for myself financially. Whatever I become aware of today, I will hold within me with great gentleness and kindness for myself.

To look at our relationship with money, just like physical ...