A Fresh Start Doesn’t Begin With the Numbers — It Begins With You / B015

Most women think financial progress starts with a budget or a spreadsheet.

But the truth?

Progress starts with a pause.

One small moment each week where you breathe, check in with yourself, and choose honesty over avoidance… compassion over shame… curiosity over criticism.

This is the heart of a Weekly Money Reflection — not a financial task, but a gentle emotional reset. A quiet practice that helps you build trust with yourself one week at a time.

It’s deeply inspired by Brené Brown’s Rising Strong, which reminds us that we can’t rise until we’re willing to look at our stories with honesty and self-compassion.

This weekly ritual is that moment.

Why Reflection Matters More Than Perfection

Most women don’t avoid their finances because they’re irresponsible.
They avoid them because they feel:

• ashamed

• overwhelmed

• unsure where to start

• scared to see the truth

• tired of feeling behind

Jane — the woman I write this for — carries this deeply (your ICA documents echo this again and again). She doesn’t need judgment; she needs a gentle place to begin.

A weekly reflection breaks the cycle of avoidance by creating:

• emotional safety

• clarity

• self-awareness

• small wins

• grounded confidence

As Brené Brown teaches:
“We can’t change the story until we own the story.”
Reflection is the kindest way to start owning your money story — one week at a time.

How to Practice a Weekly Money Reflection

This isn’t about analyzing everything.
It’s about noticing what’s true for you.

Give yourself 10–15 minutes.
Make a cup of coffee.
Take a breath.

Then gently move through these six steps:

Step 1: Begin With Compassion

Before looking at anything, speak softly to yourself:

“I’m not behind. I’m beginning.”

Place a hand on your heart.
Release any pressure to be perfect.

This small moment of compassion sets the tone for the entire practice.

Step 2: Gently Look at the Week Without Judgment

Instead of the usual:
“Why did I mess this up?”

Try asking:
“What actually happened this week?”

Notice:

• Where money felt stressful

• Where it felt peaceful

• What choices aligned with your values

• What choices felt rushed, emotional, or reactive

This is curiosity — not criticism.
Curiosity dissolves shame.

Step 3: Capture One Small Win

Your confidence grows from proof — not perfection.

A win could be:

• checking your balance

• paying a bill

• saying no to something that didn’t align

• journaling instead of avoiding

• moving $10 to savings

• asking a brave question

Every win counts.
Every win matters.
Every win builds momentum.

Step 4: Notice One Pattern (Without Shame)

Patterns aren’t failures.
They’re information.

Maybe you:

• spend more when you feel lonely

• avoid money when you’re exhausted

• overspend when stressed

• get triggered by unexpected bills

In Rising Strong, Brené Brown talks about the SFD — the shaky first draft, the messy story we tell ourselves before we know the truth.

Notice your SFD.

Then gently ask:
“Is this the whole story… or just the first draft?”

Awareness creates choice.

Step 5: Choose One Gentle Next Step

Not five steps.
Not a full financial makeover.

Just one.

Maybe it’s:

• checking your account tomorrow

• listing your subscriptions

• opening a bill you’ve been avoiding

• writing down one money goal

• planning three dinners at home

Choose the next compassionate step — not the perfect one.

Step 6: End With Gratitude + Hope

Jane’s deepest desire is to feel calm, capable, and in control again.

Close your reflection with a grounding statement:

• “I am learning to trust myself with money.”

• “Small steps lead to big peace.”

• “I am rebuilding, one gentle week at a time.”

• “My past does not equal my future.”

Hope is powerful.
Let it anchor you into a fresh start.

Why This Weekly Ritual Works

Because this is how you rewrite your money story with kindness.

You shift from:

• avoidance → awareness

• shame → compassion

• overwhelm → clarity

• fear → confidence

This is what Rising Strong teaches:
The rising begins the moment you are brave enough to look inward.

A Weekly Money Reflection helps you do exactly that — gently, consistently, and powerfully.

Ready to Start Fresh?

This practice is one of the key steps inside the Financially Fearless Roadmap — your simple, shame-free guide to becoming more confident with money.

If you’re ready for your next small, brave step, download the Roadmap below.

👉🏻 Download your free Roadmap today. 

Your fresh start begins with one gentle weekly reflection.