86 Comments

For years, I have been reading about abundance and working to overcome "scarcity thinking," but until I read this piece I have never felt so seen -- and have never heard someone put it so straight what it's like to be chronically deadass broke. And while I am finally overcoming the incorrect belief that my worth can be measured by my net worth, I don't know that I will overcome the regrets I feel about the experiences I wasn't able to offer my children (e.g. a forever home, vacations that weren't road trips to stay with friends, good doctors). Every time I hear them talk about something they want but know we can't afford, my heart break. It's painful to have my experience of a diminished life validated but also healing. I had no idea how much I needed to read this. Thank you Katz ❤️

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Jesi 🥹🫶🏾

This comment and reflection is everything to me! Thank you for taking the time to write it and to be so open and vulnerable in the process.

I just want to say I’m sorry that being chronically broke has been your experience. As a new parent myself, I can completely empathise and feel the gut wrenching experience of not being able to give your children everything they may want and need. May you extend grace towards yourself and I hope reading this will be a lending step to that, to know that it’s not your fault. Nor to believe that there’s more you could do.

Sending you so much love 🤎✨

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"Being poor is not a personal failing but a failure of the system in which the world operates."

Straight facts!

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Thank you for emphasising that point Dawn-Renée and taking time to read and drop a comment 🫶🏾✨

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You're welcome!

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Thank you for writing this, it was well needed. As a 29 year old woman, with poverty in my bloodline, just recently I’ve been struggling with shame around living in it. I asked God “Why can I not seem to get forward? Why am I still living in poverty? Why do I seem to start things and never finish?” He revealed to me that it was poverty mindset and fear. 😮‍💨 it’s not easy being the generational curse breaker when you don’t have a healthy blueprint in your life. But the healing around poverty begins!

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Tanisha, I’m so sorry that this has been your experience. I pray that you’ll find reprieve and relief. And may you get to experience more than what your life has afforded you to at this point 🙏🏾🤎

Thank you for taking the time to read, engage and share ✨🫶🏾

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Thank you love! Same to you🙏🏾🤎

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“But, what if”… Joy. Your reflection on financial security as a form of healing truly resonates with me. Often, we unknowingly give power to our wounds, allowing them to shape our desires and actions. The way you’ve captured the complexity of this relationship is profound.

Dr. April and Suriya your statements on not having to go through this alone is a powerful reminder that the journey doesn’t have to be solitary. Isolation can sometimes keep our greatness hidden, but by embracing community and grace to our mindset, we can begin to heal together. Thank you for your thoughtful words and for fostering a space of collective growth and support.

I look forward to being part of this journey with you and others, as we explore forgiveness, joy, and the art of creating powerful narratives.

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Thank you for reading and commenting Lorraine. I needed to read this.

The words that got me is where you say, “Isolation can sometimes keep our greatness hidden”

I appreciate you being here and your encouraging words. I’m so happy you could find resonance and that the comments from the community as well sparked something within you too 🤎

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❤️❤️❤️

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"That’s why acquiring it is important to me, despite my resentment that money is so necessary in this world."

Katz, great piece! I, too, resent how necessary money is in this world.😑 Especially knowing how hard it can be to hold onto and build if there's generational money trauma.

I've journaled about this topic a lot over the years but unsure if I want to turn any of that into a blog.😬 Lots of Tiffany Aliche's work has been healing for me though.

Thus was my first time reading your blog and I'm glad I found it. Look forward to seeing more of it!👏🏽

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Thank you so much Dr. April for taking the time to leave such a reflective comment.

And exactly! Can we please have the freedom to not care about it, to be set free from trying to seek it?

I totally resonate with what you are saying about writing a lot about money and the trauma around it but not being sure about sharing it openly. Personally, I get tired of my personal rants so, saame!

Thank you for name dropping what has been helping you move through this. I have made a note and will absolutely take a peek. And I am s delighted that you have found something/someone to help you process the weight of this.

Thank you so much! I am honoured, and I am so happy too to have you here and will be looking forward to engaging and unpacking more.

Much love 🤎

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Same to you, Katz! None of us has to heal from this alone!🤍

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Yes, yes, yes! We live in a white supremacist, patriarchal and capitalist world where MORE is the mantra. More doesn’t heal. More doesn’t make us better. More doesn’t make us worthy. These dictates are man-made. As I’m doing my own work I’m anchoring deeply into the mantra of ENOUGHNESS. I’m savoring small joys in big ways. I’m practicing gratitude for what’s already here. Thank you for your brave share ♥️

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“I’m savouring small joys in big ways “

Sheesh! Uma you effortlessly say the most beautiful words. So thank you to you too for sharing that accurate perspective.

May enough always be your portion 🙏🏾

Thank you for taking time to read and engage 🤗

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Sending you love ❤️

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Thanks for writing this piece. I developed so much insecurity regarding it due to my ex partner. He picked on my habits and everything though initially we had decided that he would take a high paying job while I continue to be in academia. I was often shamed by him if anyone gifted me or did anything nice for me which was "expensive" in his eyes.. But after experiencing what was abusive relationship and controlling one, I developed a deep insecurity around it and decided I would rather give up on low paying jobs and academia than be in that position again. For me a low paying job even if it is the one I love can not give the independence and security I need. So I can build other dreams too without being dependent on anyone and treat myself to a nice dinner, get flowers etc ..

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Thank you for sharing your story so openly and vulnerably. It sounds like you endured an incredibly painful and invalidating experience, and I’m so sorry that you were subjected to such treatment. It’s heartbreaking to think of someone using their love and partnership as a means of control rather than support. The insecurity you describe is such an understandable response to what you went through, and the choices you’ve made since—prioritizing your independence and ability to care for yourself—are deeply valid and deserve respect.

It takes immense strength to rebuild after an abusive relationship, and it sounds like you’ve made decisions that honour your worth and protect your peace. Choosing financial independence so you can dream freely and treat yourself with kindness isn’t just practical—it’s an act of reclaiming your power and self-love. I hope you never stop giving yourself the care and security that everyone deserves, and I’m wishing you so much healing and joy as you continue to move forward.

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Thank you for your kind words and wishes. Appreciate it.

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The comments are a small glimpse into how many people you’re healing with your writing 🫶🏽. Thank you for sharing this piece.

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🥹🤎 Nic I appreciate this comment so much. Thank you!! Never looked it that way so thank you for reading and making me see with so much vividness the impact of my words. ✨️🌻

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You've touched on something that many of us, including myself, feel is a private struggle. I often feel like I'm the only one who struggles to meet my needs, even when I have jobs that bring in a steady income. I, too, grew up in a household where money felt like it was always tight; I often shrunk myself, trying my best not to take up too much of my family's resources. In adulthood, I find the grind exhausting. I watch videos and listen to articles that say that an abundance mindset is just one course, one coaching call, and one group program away, but as a woman who lives in a developing country, those resources would be considered a luxury.

If the weight of scarcity was lifted, I would invest in myself more, take months away, and just work on developing my craft as a writer and a writer. The little voice in my head that nudges me to do something "productive" with my time will likely be silenced. The anxiety I feel around not working would be silenced along with it. I would indulge more, buy more art, and take more trips, even if it was just within my island. I wouldn't feel guilty for wanting the simple luxuries in life.

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Oh Moken 🥹 this touched me. I felt the heaviness behind what you have detailed. And I'm so sorry too that this has been your experience as well.

I am glad though that I have brought to light what a lot of us have struggled with away from everyone's eyes. I think if you read some of the comments on here you'll see that we are not alone and perhaps that should set us free just a little bit.

Those are beautiful dreams and I hope life will show you much kindness and abundance to be able to live a life beyond just survival and trying to make ends meet.

Much love 🤎

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Much love to you too ♥️

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Thank you for your vulnerability in this piece.

I would nurture dreams of world travel. I intend to widen my orbit and take in more of this beautiful planet while I'm still here.

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Only my pleasure Rev. Evelyn 🤎🌻

Those are beautiful dreams that I too would like to see fulfilled. I hope that you may experience that kind of support and material resources that make all of it possible 🤎

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I can relate a lot. I also grew up poor. I offer what I call Making Money Magical and my approach is anti-capitalist. It's not about getting rich quick and putting all the responsibility on the individual but rather a space to release capitalistic trauma, which often there's no space for, not even in therapy. I used to study socio-economics and economic law. I now study film, theatre and media studies & comparative literature. I draw from all these different experiences & I have a poetic & embodied approach. The next group session will be November 24th. I offer 5 free spots for BIPoC and/or queer folx. Healing in community and releasing shame together is very powerful. ❤️

https://www.embodied-learning.com/sessions/making-money-magical-group/

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Imọlẹ, wow thank you so much for this comment and the extension of such a generous offer.

I'm so happy I didn't miss you'd comment.

And it is absolutely something that I'd be interested in participating in. However, I'm sadly already booked for this Sunday.

Can I perhaps participate in the next one after this coming one?

P.S. thank you for the work of healing you're doing 🤎

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I'm so glad to hear that. No worries. I'm actually sick myself and had to cancel this weekend. I might share a pre-recorded session soon. Here you can find the first pre-recorded session I did: https://joyfromvienna.substack.com/p/1-making-money-magical. You can shoot me a message here: https://www.embodied-learning.com/contact/. So that I can have your email address and can put you on my list. You can also sign up over the link for the session: https://www.embodied-learning.com/sessions/making-money-magical-group/. You will not be charged as long as you don't PayPal me. The next Making Money Magical group session will be on December 22, 2024. Feel free to share & take care! <3

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Imọlẹ you're so kind and generous. I appreciate this so much. Thank you and may you be poured back into a hundred times more as you pour into others 🤎

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Honestly, your piece hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I don’t talk about my financial struggles to anyone. It’s something I just deal with, quietly, because of all the shame around it. And I didn’t even realize how much I tie my worth to money until I read your words. Sometimes, I just feel stuck. I have dreams, I know what I want, but it feels like I can’t get anywhere because money is always the thing holding me back. The mental energy it takes to keep finding workarounds is draining, and it feels like no one really talks about how exhausting it is to constantly hustle just to stay afloat. Thank you for your transparency.

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Oh Jade reading the end of your comment made me want to give a warm, comforting hug 🥺🤎 because your experience is absolutely resonant.

When you say, "I know what I want, but it feels like I can’t get anywhere because money is always the thing holding me back." that made my eyes burn a bit because that is such a heartbreaking place to be in.

I hope that life gives you a break, that all the obstacles you've faced collapse and you'll move through the world unburdened and unconstrained.

Sending you much love and thank you so much for sharing such a tender part of your life with me 🤎🌻

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And now I’m teary eyed 🥹 Thank you so much!!!!!!! ♥️

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yes. first I just have to say I love the prompts at the end of your article... as an avid journaler, I'm a huge fan.

And I have to agree with what you're saying. I think I've maybe had the opposite experience of going from pretty high-earning, to literally hitting a wall. Which I think at this point is worse. I have all these reminders of when I used to be "rich," nice, albeit old, clothes; designer shoes and bags; pictures of our old house... and it's a really tough pill to swallow to kind of have to start all over again, but without the advance you had before, or from a position you've never been in. And because those years of wealth/abundance outweigh the years of not having, it's like a constant smack in the face when you're so used to doing something or having it a certain way, but can no longer do it.

I had this reflection today, as I have a friend's wedding coming up. I was invited to the rehearsal dinner and contemplated not going because I was unsure I'd have money for the uber home. While my mum said I could use her card, that's not the point really. I expressed this to my friend and she even offered to pay because she wants me there, but again.. that's just not the point. At 30, I feel I should be able to afford a 20 dollar uber ride home, which maybe 6 or 7 years ago, wouldn't have caused me literal anxiety.

Recently though, I've been working on changing the narrative and reframing this. I remember seeing a meme on the internet once that reminded me, someone with a bike, wishes they had a car; someone who's taking public transportation, wishes they had a bike; someone who's walking, wishes they could afford the bus... etc. etc. and it has helped me get out of my head a bit about where I find myself in life at the moment. and I find that I'm using the money I do have a lot more creatively, which is making my life a lot more interesting. There are aspects of my life that are better now that I'm not spending 40+ hours a week working: I am actually able to be there for friends because I'm almost always free lol! and that has improved my relationships with them. It also just lets me spend more time with myself, something that I think really got away from me in the last couple of years of working so hard.

So perhaps this is a recalibration that I need.

Anyway, let me now ramble anymore. Thank you so much for sharing!

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Myris, you have no idea how much I appreciate your comment 🤎

It might also be an inspiration for another piece. Because there’s really an underside to not working, as you’ve drawn light to, time to do things that bring you joy.

And I hope the life pivot you decided to make proves to be rewarding in ways you could not have imagined.

Thank you for taking the time to read and sharing your own reflection ✨

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Thank you so much for this, I thought I was the only one experiencing this.

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It’s only my pleasure Jasmyne. Thank you to you too for taking the time to read it and engage 🤎✨

And that’s what I love about writing and reading, we become aware that the things happening to us aren’t after all unique.

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If everyone who liked this post gave just $5 you’d feel an immediate spark of abundance. I hope that Substack connects you with people who fuel your dreams and support you in ways that lead to financial abundance. Anything is possible!

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Thank you Danielle for taking the time to read and offer an optimistic voice to the said experience. It is definitely my greatest hope. I also appreciate your kindness. I will send something in your inbox shortly 🤎

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I’m struggling with this myself. Divorced after a 30 year marriage ended. Went from being a homemaker to entering the work force at 48. I, too, have never known financial security, but I’d like to!

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Thank you for sharing this with me Tracy, and finding resonance with my words.

I hope you get to experience the financial freedom that you desire and lead a life that feels fuller and more fulfilling for you.

Also, reading what you’ve shared came with a thought “wow! Tracy has lived many lives and many lives are happening for her”

wishing you well 🤎🫶🏾

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