The Benefits of Journaling

If you haven't yet embraced the practice of daily journaling, you're missing out on something transformative. Some of the valuable advantages include:

• Gaining insight into your behavior and motivations.
• Allowing your subconscious mind to express its thoughts.
• Working through complex issues.

An insightful article by Tom Kuegler, which has received 85,000 claps, highlights even more benefits.

How To Become More Self-Aware in 20 Minutes

So, how can you cultivate greater self-awareness about money?

I have maintained a daily journaling habit for years (my collection of notebooks occupies an entire shelf in my office), but the idea of writing about money had never crossed my mind until that day. The experience proved life-altering in ways I had never expected.

A Money Journal Increases Your Awareness of Your Financial Habits

Similar to how a personal journal helps clarify your decisions and behavioral patterns, a Money Journal serves a parallel purpose. Martha Beck noted that her Money Journal heightened her awareness of the subtle ways she undermined her financial well-being. Her journey from suffering and blame to empowerment and understanding inspired me deeply.

The objective was to document statements, thoughts, or actions tied to the belief that money should behave in a specific manner. Capturing these misconceptions on paper allows you to recognize when you fall under their influence.

Initially, I followed her instructions, but it wasn't until I treated my journal entries as a dialogue that my understanding of money dramatically improved.

Engaging in a Dialogue with Money

As an avid reader, I admire authors skilled in crafting dialogue that propels the narrative, reveals character depths, and engages the audience in the unfolding story. This led me to wonder—why not engage in a conversation with money?

I initiated my Money Journal, but rather than writing about myself and my finances, I created dialogues as if money were sitting across from me, casually sipping coffee while I vented my frustrations.

Instead of sharing my journal entries verbatim, here’s a fictional snippet to illustrate how to converse with money:

"Money, you’re unfair! I put in more effort than anyone else, yet you always seem so reluctant to flow my way.” My pen dashed across the page, nearly tearing it.

Money paused, allowing me to settle down. It recognized that I couldn’t hear the truth until my anger subsided.

My pen tapped an anxious rhythm on the table, driven by a sense of injustice. Just as I was about to spiral into another rant, Money responded.

"Dear one, you are not a victim. You crafted this victimhood, and you wear it like a badge.” Money’s tone softened. “When you’re ready to listen, I’ll share my insights.”

This wasn’t the response I anticipated. Did I genuinely see myself as a victim? It compelled me to reflect on my reaction to my financial situation (overwhelming bills versus insufficient income). After a moment's pause, I sighed, “Fine, I surrender.”

Money assessed my energy and seemed to determine I was ready to hear its wisdom. “I am the ultimate chameleon. Your perception of me shapes how I manifest in your life.”

I struggled to suppress my sarcastic tone. “So when I feel victimized, you take on the role of villain?”

Money chuckled. “You articulated that perfectly!”

Money’s response made me reconsider. “What if I begin to view myself as abundant and prosperous, regardless of my current circumstances?”

Money leaned in, smiling. “Why not experiment with that mindset and observe the outcomes?”

Identifying Your Limiting Beliefs About Money

I hope that gave you a chuckle! Money had a valuable point—have you genuinely tried embodying the energy of abundance and prosperity long enough to witness its manifestations?

The following exercise can help establish a consistent money journaling practice while enhancing your awareness of how your internal beliefs shape your external reality:

1. Each morning, jot down your money-related beliefs, thoughts, and narratives in your Money Journal. At the end of the day, review your entries and highlight one belief you wish to change.
2. Create a new list of beliefs that no longer serve you, leaving space after each for tracking how frequently you express or think them.
3. Repeat this for a week, then evaluate your list. Which belief garnered the most marks? Which stands out as particularly untrue?
4. Choose one belief to transform. Be vigilant—whenever that belief arises, consciously challenge it by stating, “That’s not true. I am abundant.”
5. Observe any shifts in your financial relationship. Are you experiencing less stress? Do you feel a newfound tranquility regarding your finances? All this is achievable, provided you consistently choose empowering beliefs over limiting ones.

You are reprogramming your mindset with new, empowering beliefs. In time, this shift in perception and energy will manifest in your life, and Money will respond positively as you evolve into a Money Master.

Recognize that you are the architect of these beliefs, and you possess the power to alter them. Embrace your potential for abundance. Only you can choose to move beyond the past and create a new narrative.

Remember, you can only change what you are aware of needing change. As your financial consciousness expands, your relationship with money will deepen, providing you with newfound insights into your role in this dynamic.

Believe it or not, Money wants to be your ally. Why not strive to be the kind of friend that Money would enjoy spending time with?

For a lovely allegory about the energy of money as Divine Love, consider reading The Money Tree: Transform Scarcity Thinking to Empowered Wealth Consciousness, available on Amazon.