There’s something undeniably grounding about putting pen to paper. In a world flooded with spreadsheets, budgeting apps, and endless financial advice, journaling offers something different: space. A space that doesn’t judge, rush, or demand calculations.
Just clarity.
Financial clarity isn’t just about knowing what’s in your account, it’s about understanding your emotions, habits, and beliefs that shape how you manage money. Journaling bridges that gap between numbers and the human experience behind them.
Let’s talk about why this simple act of writing down your thoughts and experiences is such a powerful tool for transforming your relationship with money.
Journaling shines a light on hidden patterns
We all have financial habits that run on autopilot. Maybe you always overspend at certain times of the month or avoid looking at your statements because they make your stomach churn. When you journal consistently, these patterns become visible and that’s the first step toward changing them.
Instead of asking, “Why do I keep doing this?”, journaling helps you see when and how it happens. And that kind of awareness is worth its weight in gold.
It connects feelings to finances
In my book, Untangling Your Relationship With Money, I talk about money shame and the emotional triggers that sabotage even the most carefully crafted plans. Journaling doesn’t just help you track spending; it helps you make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface.
Fear, guilt, resentment, even joy… they all have a place in how we handle money. By writing freely, you give those emotions space to be acknowledged, understood, and eventually shifted.
You get to define what ‘enough’ looks like
Without clarity, your brain tends to assume the worst. “I don’t have enough.” “I’m not doing enough.” “I’ll never get ahead.” These thoughts stir up the primitive brain, activate survival instincts, and cloud logic. Journaling allows you to pause, challenge those assumptions, and recalibrate your definition of “enough” based on facts, not fear.
It makes you the expert on your financial story
Your money journey isn’t one-size-fits-all. By documenting your wins, setbacks, insights, and ‘aha’ moments, you begin to see your financial evolution as just that… a journey. Not a verdict.
When you journal, you stop being someone who’s “bad at money” and start being someone who’s curious, aware, and willing to grow. There’s a subtle shift that happens when you own your narrative instead of letting outdated beliefs run the show.
You build trust – with yourself
This may be the most transformative part. Journaling builds a habit of showing up – for your emotions, your experiences, and your money. It turns avoidance into inquiry. Shame into self-compassion. Guesswork into clarity.
And from that place of trust, decisions get easier. Priorities become clearer. You move from reacting to money, to working with it.
Getting started is simpler than you think:
Don’t worry about grammar or formatting. Your journal isn’t a presentation, it’s a conversation.
Set aside just 5–10 minutes a day. First thing in the morning, or just before your head hits the pillow.
Ask yourself one question: What’s coming up for me around money today? And let the words flow.
You don’t need to be a writer. You just need to be willing. Because when you give your inner voice a seat at the table, money starts to feel less like a mystery and more like a relationship you can actually enjoy.
Financial clarity doesn’t live in the numbers alone. It lives in your awareness. And journaling helps you find it.
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
