When you hear the phrase money mindset, what comes to mind?
Maybe it’s manifestation. Maybe it’s someone on social media telling you to “attract abundance.” Maybe you’ve rolled your eyes at the whole concept because it feels a little too “woo.”
Here’s my take:
Your money mindset isn’t about pretending money problems don’t exist.
It’s about understanding the stories you’ve been carrying about money your entire life—and recognizing how those stories influence the financial decisions you make today.
Money mindset isn’t magic.
It’s awareness.
And awareness gives you choices.
The Same Situation Can Create Completely Different Reactions
Imagine your car suddenly needs a $1,000 repair.
The circumstance is neutral.
Your response is where mindset comes in.
One person might immediately think: “There’s never enough. I need to stop spending money. Something always comes along and wipes out my savings.”
Another person might think: “Okay. I’ll find another client. I’ll pick up another project. I’ll figure it out.”
Neither response is completely right or completely wrong. But both have blind spots.
If you’re always preparing for disaster, you might become so strict with money that you never allow yourself to enjoy it.
If you’re always confident you’ll earn more later, you might never build the savings that create long-term stability.
The goal isn’t to become one or the other. The goal is balance.
Your Money Story Didn’t Start With You
Most of us didn’t consciously choose our beliefs about money.
We inherited them. Maybe from our parents. Maybe from our culture. Maybe from our faith. Maybe from experiences you had before you even understood what money was.
Ask yourself:
- Who was “allowed” to have money in my family?
- What did people say about wealthy people?
- How was money talked about growing up?
- What emotions came up when bills arrived?
- What did I learn about spending?
- What did I learn about saving?
These questions aren’t about blaming anyone. They’re about noticing. Because once you notice a belief, you can decide whether it’s still serving you.
You Don’t Need to Judge Yourself
Money conversations can bring up a lot.
Sometimes they touch childhood memories.
Family struggles.
Financial insecurity.
Moments of shame.
I’m not a therapist, and this isn’t about unpacking trauma. But I do encourage you to get curious instead of judgmental.
If a belief surfaces, don’t immediately label it as “bad.”
Simply ask:
Is this belief helping me build the financial life I want?
Or…
Is it keeping me stuck?
That question alone can change everything.
Creatives Often Swing Between Extremes
One pattern I see over and over with creatives is living at one end of the spectrum.
Some become incredibly restrictive. They feel guilty spending $8 on a latte because they think every dollar should be invested or saved.
Others spend freely because they believe they’ll “figure it out later.”
Neither extreme creates lasting financial confidence.
Financial confidence usually lives somewhere in the middle. It’s okay to save. It’s okay to spend. The goal is making intentional decisions instead of reactive ones.
A Simple Exercise to Discover Your Money Mindset
Think back to three memories involving money from your childhood or teenage years.
Maybe it was:
- Receiving your first allowance.
- Opening your first paycheck.
- Hearing your parents argue about bills.
- Watching your family save for a big vacation.
- Seeing someone celebrate—or fear—money.
Now ask yourself: What message did I receive from that experience?
Maybe it sounded like:
- Money disappears quickly.
- Rich people are selfish.
- You should always save for a rainy day.
- You have to work incredibly hard to deserve money.
- There will never be enough.
Write those beliefs down. Not because they’re facts. Because they’re stories. And stories can be rewritten.
My Own Money Story
Growing up, my mom used to joke that money “burned a hole in my pocket.”
I’d get my allowance and spend it immediately. Candy. Toys. Anything that gave me the excitement of buying something new.
Then a week later, I’d want ice cream—and I’d have nothing left.
For years, I told myself I was simply “bad with money.”
But that wasn’t actually the story.
When I looked deeper, I realized my family had gone through significant financial instability after my parents divorced. We went from feeling financially secure to struggling in ways that completely changed how I viewed money.
Without realizing it, I developed the belief that if I had money, I needed to use it immediately. Because if I didn’t, something—or someone—would take it away.
Once I recognized that belief, everything changed.
It wasn’t that I lacked discipline. I lacked trust.
Don’t Replace One Extreme With Another
This is where affirmations can actually be helpful. Not because they magically change your life. Because they help you practice a new belief.
The mistake people often make is choosing affirmations that feel impossible.
If you’ve spent years believing you’re terrible with money, saying,
“I’m a millionaire and money flows to me effortlessly,”
probably won’t feel believable.
Instead, choose something that’s one small step closer to where you want to be.
For me, that looked like:
- I am well taken care of.
- I don’t need to spend money out of fear.
Those felt achievable. And over time, they became true.
Financial Confidence Is Built One Belief at a Time
You’re not going to rewrite every money story overnight. None of us do.
But every time you notice a belief…
Question it…
Replace it with one that serves you a little better…
You’re building a healthier relationship with money. And that’s where real financial confidence begins. Not by pretending everything is perfect. But by becoming intentional about the stories you choose to carry forward.
So here’s one final question:
What belief about money are you ready to leave behind—and what new belief would better support the future you’re building?
