Welcome, friend, to a gentle journey through the heart of our financial lives. Before we can build wealth or master money, we must first turn inward and examine the stories, emotions, and patterns that shape every decision. Money is not just about numbers—it's woven into our earliest memories, our deepest fears, and our hopes for the future. By age seven, most of us have already formed the habits and beliefs that will guide our financial choices for decades to come. These early scripts are rarely about interest rates or budgets, but about how we felt when we watched our parents argue over a bill, or the pride of saving coins for a coveted toy.
Shame looms large in this landscape. It whispers that we are not enough, or too much, or simply wrong for not knowing what everyone else seems to know. But here’s the secret: everyone feels money shame at some point. It’s a universal emotion, not a personal failing. Shame thrives in silence, growing stronger the less we talk about it. The stories we inherit—about who should handle money, what’s polite to discuss, or what success looks like—are often relics of a world that was not built for our flourishing.
Yet, vulnerability is a superpower. When we dare to admit what we don’t know, to ask the “stupid” question, or to share a struggle with a trusted friend, we begin to loosen shame’s grip. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s the birthplace of courage and community. Imagine a circle of women, each sharing her first money memory—some joyful, some painful, all valid. In that sharing, healing begins.
Throughout this section, you’ll find gentle encouragement to reflect on your own story. Try journaling about your earliest money memory—not just the facts, but how it made you feel, and how those feelings might echo in your life today. Remember, your money story is not fixed; it can be rewritten, one honest conversation at a time.
As we move forward, we’ll unpack the five patriarchal narratives that keep so many of us stuck. But for now, let’s rest in the knowledge that you are not alone, and that every step toward self-awareness is a victory. Let’s continue this journey together, peeling back the layers to find freedom and joy on the other side.
Now, let’s explore the stories society tells us about money—and how to break free from them.
