Raise your hand if money has ever given you a full-blown anxiety attack (really, raise it up). Financial freedom isn’t just about piling up cash; it’s about feeling like your financial worry isn’t keeping you up at night. Trust me, I know. I used to feel like my bank account was a ticking time bomb—every so often I’d check my accounts with my eyes peeking between my fingers.

Ever since I could make money, I spent beyond my means. As a hard worker, I could never really understand why I was constantly behind on bills; I should have been rolling in it. I’ve had many close calls when it comes to being broke but then something crazy happens; a refund check from the dentist shows up, an early birthday check from my dad, a long-lost insurance reimbursement. I have the Universe to thank for my life just always ‘working out’ and don’t get me wrong, I love it that way, but it’s risky and overwhelming. You can read my own debt story here.

But here’s the thing: getting a handle on your money is way more possible than you think, and it’s not all about numbers. It’s about mindset, grace, and making small but mighty moves. After decades of beating myself up about it, I decided to try a heart-led approach and voila! I dug myself out.

First: Identify the Source of Financial Anxiety

You’re not alone if you find yourself spiraling every time you check your bank balance. Or better yet, ignore it all together. I like to call it MANIC MONEY. Debt, living paycheck to paycheck, not having a savings cushion—these are all real stressors. When you feel like you’re drowning, it’s easy to think that more money will fix everything. But most of the time, it’s not about the dollars. It’s about feeling like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of stress, and there’s no escape hatch. The best cure for anxiety is action so let’s go:

Action Step 1: Assess Your Financial Situation (Without Freaking Out):

I know, taking stock of your finances sounds about as fun as a root canal, but it’s the first step toward feeling like a financial badass. I promise. Grab a cup of coffee or hot calming tea, sit down, and look at where you stand. Don’t overthink it. You’re not going to solve all your money problems in one sitting. We’re just starting by taking a little peek at what’s going on. Debt, bills, savings, and all that fun stuff. Just write it down or start a Google spreadsheet. That’s it. No freaking out allowed—yet.

Action Step 2: Create a Financial Roadmap (Because You’re the Boss Now):

Once you’ve got a sense of your finances, it’s time to create a plan. Sounds terrifying, right? But it doesn’t have to be. Start small. Set aside a little money each month for savings, or start chipping away at debt. You don’t need to pay it all off tomorrow, and you definitely don’t need to start meal prepping like a contestant on a survival show to save a few bucks. We’re talking about simple, doable steps. Think of this roadmap as less of a strict rulebook and more like a gentle nudge in the right direction.

Here’s a list of 10 things I did to find extra money to put toward my credit card bills.

Action Step 3: Mindset Shift. Think Less Fear, More Empowerment (You’ve Got This!):

Here’s where things get interesting: your mindset about money is everything. We’re taught to think of money in terms of lack, fear, and scarcity. But what if you flipped the script? What if you saw your money as a tool to create freedom, not stress? Easier said than done, I know. But every time you catch yourself spiraling, pause. Breathe. Remember that you have more control over your money than you think, and every small step is a victory.

Small Steps, Big Changes—With Grace:

The truth is, getting a handle on your finances is a journey. And it’s okay if it takes time. It’s okay if it feels scary or frustrating or if you mess up along the way. The key is to start—and give yourself grace. You’ve already taken the hardest step by acknowledging the anxiety. From here, it’s all about small, consistent actions that’ll lead you to the freedom from financial anxiety you deserve.