When most people think about improving their financial health, the first things that come to mind are budgeting, saving, or paying off debt. And those are all important. But what’s often left out of the conversation is how we feel about money—our emotional wellness.
The truth is, financial decisions are rarely just logical. More often than not, they’re emotional.
Think about the last time you made a money decision you later questioned. Maybe it was buying something you didn’t need, putting off paying a bill, or feeling guilty for spending on something you enjoyed. Those decisions probably weren’t based on numbers—they were driven by how you felt in the moment.
Emotional Wellness is your ability to understand, manage, and respond to your emotions in healthy ways.
When it’s not in check, it shows up in your financial life—through stress spending, avoidance, comparison, or guilt. And while it’s easy to label these behaviors as “bad habits,” they’re often coping mechanisms for deeper emotional patterns.
Many of us grew up in households where money was a source of tension, fear, or even shame. We carry those early experiences with us, even as adults. If money meant stress growing up, it’s not surprising if you feel anxious every time you check your bank balance.
If you learned to associate spending with reward or escape, that might explain why online shopping becomes your go-to when you’re overwhelmed.
Ignoring these emotional undercurrents makes it harder to stick with any financial strategy, no matter how well-designed it is. You might have the perfect budget on paper, but if you use spending to self-soothe or avoid hard feelings, that budget won’t last.
On the other hand, when emotional wellness is part of your money journey, everything starts to shift. You begin to recognize the “why” behind your choices. You can pause before reacting. You learn to respond to financial stress with clarity, not panic. That kind of awareness creates space for real, sustainable change.
Emotional wellness also improves your financial resilience.
Life is unpredictable. You might face a layoff, an unexpected expense, or a goal that takes longer to reach than you hoped. Without emotional tools, those moments can lead to shame, self-blame, or giving up entirely. But with emotional wellness, you’re more likely to stay grounded, reflect, and adjust without spiraling.
The goal isn’t to remove emotion from your financial life—it’s to understand it. When you do that, your money decisions stop being reactive and start being intentional.
Here are 3 quick tips to support emotional wellness in your financial life:
- Pause before reacting.
If you’re about to make a big financial decision—especially in a moment of stress or urgency—pause. Ask yourself: “What am I feeling right now?” and “Is this decision solving the real problem?” - Track emotional triggers.
Start noting how you feel before and after spending, saving, or avoiding money tasks. Patterns will start to emerge. Awareness is the first step toward change. - Give yourself permission to feel.
Money guilt, fear, or shame are common—but they’re not permanent. Try to name your emotions without judgment. You can’t change what you won’t acknowledge.
Bringing emotional wellness into your financial life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest—with yourself and your money. And when those two things are aligned, real progress becomes possible.
Mariska Reinerink is a Holistic Money Wellness Coach and Business Coach, a Speaker, Workshop Facilitator and Writer and she works with women globally, 1-1, in groups, live and online. To find out more, go to www.yourmoneywellness.com and you can contact her at mariska@yourmoneywellness.com
