Have you ever experienced that moment when financial anxiety punches you right in the stomach? Well, let me tell you about my recent experience.
My husband and I always pride ourselves on getting our taxes done early. As a recovering money avoider, I’ve learned to face financial tasks head-on—no procrastination here! We were literally our tax preparer’s first appointment for the year. I was feeling pretty proud…until she emailed, “Please confirm you did not pay 2024 state taxes.”
Wait, what?!
My heart sank. Anxiety took the wheel, driving my thoughts into some pretty scary territory. Financial security is my anchor, so missing something as crucial as state taxes felt like a big blow. After a bit of research, we confirmed the oversight was real.
But here’s what happened next (hint: it’s about resilience, not perfection):
1. Dropping Anchor with ACT: I immediately leaned into a great tool I learned in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that can be used on the daily. Specifically, I used the Dropping Anchor/ACE technique (you can download the practice).
This helped me ground myself, acknowledge my anxiety without spiraling, and take thoughtful action.
Taking Action: We quickly corrected the error on the W-2. Addressing the problem head-on reduced the stress significantly.
2. Trusting Our Systems: I reminded myself why we have an emergency fund and solid financial habits. This moment reinforced my belief in financial systems—they’re here exactly for times like this.
3. Practicing Self-Kindness: Finally, we offered ourselves compassion, reminding each other, “These things happen. You’re prepared. You’re resilient.”
So, the next time financial anxiety shows up, remember:
- Ground yourself using your ACT skills (Dropping Anchor/ACE).
- Face the issue directly with gentle action.
- Trust in the financial foundation you’ve built.
- Be kind to yourself—because financial wellness is a journey, not a destination.
You’ve got this, and I’m here cheering you on.