A Money Conversation – Part II: Getting It In Writing

In last week’s post, A Money Conversation Part I, I asked readers to examine their sense of self-worth as it relates to money, and asked, ‘If money talks… what is it saying to you?’

It’s an interesting idea to think of personifying money – actually thinking about what it might want to say to you, or even what you might want to say to it.

In a recent video posted on social media, author of Finding Your Own North Star and O Magazine columnist, Martha Beck invites us to do just that – to, in effect, have a conversation with money.

To prepare for this “conversation,” Beck asks us to create our own unique image of money – whether a benevolent fairy godmother, a wise old owl, or a Buddhist monk sitting on a mountaintop – whatever works for you. Beck urges exercise participants to make the image as relatable and positive as possible. “Some of us think of money as a tyrant, or some kind of deity we can’t access,” Beck says. “However, when it comes down to it, money is really just energy symbolized by objects we use to trade. When used in a positive way, money is love, so think of an image that makes you feel good.”

The next step may sound far-fetched and cause left-brains to protest quite loudly, but I encourage you to give it a try. With your selected image in mind, Beck encourages sitting down and actually writing money a letter – picturing your chosen image as you write. Here are four points of departure Beck suggests to get you started:

Writing from stream-of-consciousness…

1. Let money know how you feel about it – the good and the bad.

2. Express any regrets or apologies you want to make to money (ie: “I’m sorry I’ve taken you for granted.”, or “I haven’t been very good at keeping track of you,” etc.)

3. Let money know that you’re releasing it from any anxiety and fear. Beck makes the point that – as with plants, animals and fellow humans – when we give money love and attention, it thrives and grows…when we surround it with fear and anxiety – clutching at it too tightly – the opposite is true.

4. Tell money how much you appreciate it. I love the saying ‘What you appreciate appreciates.’ This is the perfect opportunity to express gratitude for all that you have – to help clear the way for more abundance to come.

I gained some interesting insights doing this exercise, and several of my coaching clients did as well.

If you’re inspired to take the exercise a step further, Beck proposes flipping the scenario and writing another letter – this time from money back to yourself – to see what additional insights rise to the surface. Beck says the act of writing your feelings in long-hand helps slow the brain down in a way that’s similar to meditation – allowing the brain to access deeper wisdom regarding money.

Studies have found that women would just as soon talk about their weight or sex lives than discuss money, so the above exercise – putting your feelings about money in writing – is a good way to get the conversation started – even if it’s only with yourself!