What do Money and Crisis have in Common?
Why to Release Fear and Choose Possibility
It’s on everyone’s mind — Covid-19 and the global pandemic. How do we navigate through all of this?
I love this quote Brene Brown recently posted on social media. “Surviving this crisis will take a shift in mindset, and that’s tougher than we think — especially when we’re afraid.
Yes, to this. One of the things I talk about often with my money mindset clients is that we have to change our mindset. The way to do that is to change how we think and feel about money. And the same concept applies here in this current crisis.
There is so much fear in the world right now. It’s on the news, posted in online articles and newspapers and it’s rampant on social media. There is a frenzy that is occurring, and underneath it all is fear.
Fear of getting sick
Fear of dying
Fear that there won’t be enough room in medical facilities
Fear for the economy
Fear that things will run out
As a sensitive person, I often pick up on the emotions and energy of others around me. Most of the time I’m able to navigate through it and still remain true to who I am at the core. I generally keep my mind focused on the positive and trust that I can handle whatever comes my way. I live in trust that I’m responsible for me and my actions and trust that I’ll do the best that I can no matter what happens outside my control. Tapping into that core belief about myself allows me to temper my reactions to other’s panic.
But I’ll be honest with you. This past week, there was so much news coverage, media attention, and social media posts all negative and catastrophic in nature, that I began to feel panic within myself. Something I don’t ever recall feeling before. Not so much from WHAT was being shared, but because of that panicked energy I felt from the posts and reposts. All the “what ifs” and the fear they engender, was seeping into my own personal energy.
On top of that there has been this frenzy to purchase toilet paper. Wait. What? Why toilet paper? I’ve been asking myself that question for days. But the truth is, if it weren’t toilet paper, it would be something else. As my business coach often tells me, the problem is not the problem, is not the problem. It goes way deeper than that.
As I’ve been exploring what all this means, I’ve recognized some parallels between what is happening right now in the world and how people act around money.
One of the big things that drives people’s relationship with money is a fear of running out. A fear that there isn’t enough for them. The belief is that there is enough money ONLY for a select few……and they aren’t in it. This kind of thinking can drive us to behaviors that repel money rather than attract it. So, the cycle perpetuates itself, I share more about that here.
During this uncertain time, as Covid-19 spreads in the US and continues spreading across the globe, people need to latch on to something. Anything. Please, someone tell us how to stop this. There are many reasons, but here are a few:
- Need to be in control of something
- Everyone else is doing it, so I better do it too
- Desire to take action and be prepared
But honestly, this behavior is driven by that problem under the problem. Just like many of my clients, we fear that we are going to run out. We have an underlying belief that there is not enough for everyone. That is a scarcity mindset my friend. And that is what drives us to think, “If I don’t go buy the toilet paper, there won’t be enough for me”.
I get it, it’s crazy to think that we will run out of something so basic as toilet paper. But if you look underneath the surface and get down to the underlying issue…..that is when you begin to heal and change behavior. Because shining a light on that feeling of scarcity, allows you to see that there is something more you can do. Rather than jumping on the panic wagon and taking action from that place of panic, stop and recognize that you are a human being and you ARE capable of so much more. When you see that you are a capable human being, you begin to open yourself up to the possibility that you are enough and you will figure it out. That then allows you to use your energies in more productive ways.
- Think of your fellow man and what he might need — instead of grabbing the last five packs on the shelf, get one and leave the other four for someone else. Sure the next person may grab up all four, but you’ve done your part. You’ve helped the greater good, and that feels positive and empowering.
- Tap into your own creativity — start using that brain power to imagine what you would do if you did run out of toilet paper. What do you already have that will work? How have you managed in the past when in a situation with no toilet paper? Again, allowing your creative juices to flow, puts you in a positive frame of mind and reminds you that you are capable.
- See the abundance around you — one thing I use with my clients is taking the time to see the abundance around you. Nature has it. Your closet has it. Your pantry has it. Even if you are a minimalist, you can see abundance all around you. When you put your focus there, you stop scarcity in its tracks.
I want to be clear here, I’m not bashing anyone who went out and stocked up on toilet paper or other supplies. That isn’t what this article is about and it certainly isn’t who I am as a person.
What I am sharing is the belief that we can change how we think and feel about what is happening in the world today just as easily as we can change our thoughts and feelings about money. It starts with recognizing that there is enough. You are enough. And we will get through this together.
Sherry Parks is a Money Mindset Coach who helps women escape feeling stuck and trapped by their finances, so that they find more joy and wealth for their lives. Check out her 5 Steps to a Better Money Story workbook here. Here’s what people are saying about the workbook. “I am amazed how much insight I got after completing the workbook, I [became] aware of so much!” — Nicole E. “Your workbook is great; I already feel calmer and more in control of my relationship with money!” — Nancy R.
To connect with Sherry, join her women-only Facebook group Lives in Balance.
