Exploring Your Money Stories

Money is one of those topics that often carries more weight than we realize.

Our underlying beliefs about money impact many facets of our lives, often shaping how we think, feel, and respond. These beliefs can create stress, influence our decisions, create tension in relationships, shape our sense of security—and sometimes even affect our sense of self-worth. Many of us were never taught to explore our relationship with money in a meaningful way; instead, we inherited unspoken beliefs and patterns.

Where Our Money Stories Begin

Most of our beliefs about money were formed long before we had any real control over it.

We absorbed messages from the people around us—what was said out loud, what wasn’t said, and what was modeled. Over time, those messages can become internalized “rules” about money:

• How hard we have to work for it
• Whether we feel allowed to have it
• What it means about us if we do (or don’t) have money
• Whether it feels safe to earn, spend, or keep money

These beliefs often operate in the background, shaping our choices without us even realizing it.

My Own Experience with Money Stories

I first heard the term “money stories” when a business coach introduced me to the work of Denise Duffield-Thomas, whose work focuses on “money mindset” and the idea that our beliefs about money can either support or limit us.

What stood out to me was how deeply personal this work is—and how much it overlaps with the kinds of patterns I explore with clients in therapy.

Taking time to explore my own money stories helped me notice patterns I hadn’t fully connected before—beliefs about worth, effort, and what felt “allowed.” It created space to question those beliefs and begin relating to money in a more intentional and aligned way.

Why This Matters in Therapy

Over time, I’ve started to see how often this topic comes up with clients—sometimes directly, but often indirectly.

It might look like:

• The client who struggles to ask for a raise or advocate for their worth
• The couple navigating tension around saving versus spending
• The child or adult carrying shame or inner conflict around a family’s financial success or stress

Money can be tied to:

• Boundaries
• Burnout
• Overgiving or undercharging
• Anxiety about security or the future
• Relationship dynamics and stress
• Feelings of guilt, pressure, or scarcity

And just like with other areas of our lives, awareness is a powerful starting point.

When we begin to explore our money stories, we’re not just talking about finances—we’re exploring beliefs, identity, and lived experience.

A Starting Point for Exploration

Because this topic comes up so often—and because I’ve found it meaningful both personally and professionally—I created a simple handout to help guide this exploration.

It walks through:

• Early messages about money
• Emotional experiences
• Current patterns and beliefs
• Opportunities to begin shifting the story

If this is something you’ve been curious about, you can download the handout here and begin exploring how your money stories—both conscious and less conscious—may be shaping your life today.

Something to Remember

Your relationship with money didn’t develop overnight.

It was shaped over time—through experiences, messages, and environments you didn’t choose.

The goal isn’t to judge or “fix” it all at once. It’s to begin noticing what’s there with more awareness and compassion.

Because when you understand your money story, you have more choice in how you move forward.

And that’s where meaningful change begins.