The mind spiral hit hard this morning

This morning, I stepped outside with my coffee, hoping for a little peace.

The sky was that perfect soft blue, birds singing like they had something to prove, and the air just  crisp enough to make you feel alive, but not cold enough for a coat.

By all accounts, a beautiful morning.

And yet… I couldn’t feel it.

Because my mind had already hijacked me with money worry.

It started with a whisper:

“You’re behind.”  

“You made so many bad choices.”  

“You should be further along by now.”

Before I even sat down on my bench ~ my happy place,

I was in full-on gloom and doom mode.

Spinning on everything I’d done “wrong” with money.

And then, my go-to when I’m being really hard on myself:  

OMG, am I going to run out?

(Yep, that’s where I go when money worry takes hold of my brain.)

And the wild part?

I’ve been helping people with money for over 40 years.

I know better.

This downward mindset spiral wasn’t the truth.  

It was just my nervous system doing its old thing:  

Trying to protect me by keeping me scared.

When this happens, here’s my go-to mindset-reset: 

I remind myself:

The money has always worked out.  

I have everything I need and more (and always have).  

That voice in my head? Garbage tape. Static. Old noise.

And then I move into action.

Here are 3 small steps I take that shift my money mindset (and reclaim my  inner peace):

1. I start a gratitude list. 

When my brain is spiraling, I interrupt the pattern with gratitude.

I write down three things that are working—even if they feel small or unrelated to money.  A warm mug. A bill I paid. A client I love.  

It grounds me in what’s real and reminds me that I am making progress.

2. I plug back into connection. 

One of our culture’s biggest failings is convincing us we have to do this alone.  So I reach out. I call a friend. I talk to someone who reminds me who I really am.  You don’t need to fix it all, you just need to remember you’re not alone.

3. I focus on one nourishing action. 

When everything feels like too much, I shrink the moment.  

I light a candle. I make the bed. I make a pot of homemade soup.  

One act of care tells my nervous system: I am safe. I am supported. I am okay.

Most of us have moments like this…  

Where the fear voice feels louder than logic.  

Where the old stories feel more real than the truth.

But you don’t have to stay in the spiral.  

There’s always a path back to peace.  

Sometimes it’s as simple as a list, a call, or a candle.

So I’ve got some work to do today…  

To take back control and blast out those nasty money thoughts.

Taking charge of the narrative doesn’t always stick the first time for me…

But I’ll keep at it.

Until the itty-bitty-shitty committee quiets down.

When your committee takes your brain hostage,

Remember this:

You don’t have to overhaul everything.

Just take one small, nourishing step out of the noise.

It’s gonna feel a lot better when you do.