Finding Serenity When Financial Stress Overwhelms You
Financial stress is common if you are forced into frugality because of a lost job, divorce, death in the family, or being over your head in debt, etc. This can lead to feelings of insecurity, fear, anxiety, anger, and, of course, depression.
These feelings can also cause you to make poor money management decisions. These poor decisions can lead to heavy debt loads, and start a vicious cycle of fear, anxiety, and panic that never seems to end.
When you reach this point, your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can become so overwhelming you literally stop functioning in the real world. Believe me, I know this from experience.
Understanding, Acceptance & Getting Help
If you recognize any of the above traits in yourself, get the help you need. Talk to a friend, loved one, your doctor, pastor, a debt counselor ... but talk to someone! If you know someone who is exhibiting the above traits, help them! It doesn't matter whether you lend an ear, offer some advice, or help them get counseling, do something!
The first thing you have to realize, understand, and accept is that no situation is hopeless. With just a little guidance, a couple well thought out goals, and emotional support from family and friends, you can do what needs to be done and come out of dire circumstances with a new outlook, new skills, and best of all, a new feeling of self-esteem. Don't let anyone tell you different, and if they do, close the door they came in, behind them!
Who Are Your True Friends?
When you have problems, be they financial, family, legal, whatever, it usually doesn't take very long for you to realize who really cares about you, who is truly a friend ... be they family or not. Your friends will support you in your time of need, offer encouragement, and lend an ear so you can just talk. Don't be upset or angry by this, just remember, it is you who is blessed with true friends, family or not.
Setting Priorities During Financial Stress
The well being of you, and your family, has to be your priority during times of financial stress and upheaval. Did you notice how "well being of you" was first in the last sentence, and not "your family?" The reason for that is very simple, if you take care of you first, then you are taking care of your family at the same time. In financially stressful times, if you, as the Mom or Dad, can't cope, how can you expect your children to cope now, or in the future?
So make the decision now to learn how to cope, to make the changes you can, to stay focused and goal-oriented, and to let anxiety and financial stress go out the door with the shoulda coulda woulda's.
"... Dear God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference ..."
About the author:
Debs is the editor of
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