Hi everyone!

 

Welcome to a new series called Wellness Wednesday. It’s a weekly blog series that aims to provide a fresh perspective on personal finance by exploring the interconnectedness between financial wellness and overall well-being. My aim is to guide you towards financial stability and a more fulfilling life by providing advice and insights on various topics such as financial planning, overall wee-being, self care and personal growth. Today, I want to talk about a podcast that has made an impact on me just this past week for the better: Willingness by The Skillful Podcast

 

This episode talks about willingness, a skill that can help us accept reality and let go of resistance. Willingness is about saying yes to what is, without dragging our feet or holding grudges. It is the opposite of willfulness, where we say no to reality, try to control everything, or do nothing when action is needed.

 

Willingness does not mean giving up or agreeing with everything. It means acknowledging reality as it and being open to taking effective action. For example, if you have a lot of debt, willingness means accepting that fact, without blaming yourself or others, and being willing to create and follow a repayment plan.

 

I think that by practicing willingness, there is an opportunity to improve your financial health and well-being in many ways. The podcast episode showed me the power of willingness in re-framing my mindset and embracing the present moment. It helped me realize that by accepting reality, I can create space for growth, change, and positive outcomes.

 

Some of the benefits of willingness that I can think of are:

 

• Reduced Stress: Letting go of resistance and embracing reality can reduce the stress and anxiety caused by financial problems. Instead of worrying about things we cannot change, we can focus on things we can control and take action to improve our situation.
• Improved Mental Wellbeing: Willingness promotes a more positive and accepting mindset, leading to improved mental health and emotional well-being. By accepting reality, we can avoid negative emotions such as guilt, shame, anger, or resentment, and cultivate positive emotions such as gratitude, optimism, and confidence.
• Personal Growth: Embracing willingness allows for personal growth and the development of healthy financial habits. By accepting reality, we can learn from our mistakes, overcome our challenges, and achieve our goals. We can also develop skills such as budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt.
• Enhanced Relationships: Accepting reality can foster healthier and more authentic connections with others, free from resentment and resistance.
• Inner Peace: Being willing to let go of the need for control and embracing what is can bring a sense of inner peace and contentment. By accepting reality, we can live in the present, enjoy what we have, and appreciate the opportunities and resources that we have.

 

The podcast episode also discussed several DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills related to willingness, such as radical acceptance, turning the mind, half-smile, and willing hands. There are so many applications this this skill, but since I talk about personal finance, here is how I think you can apply these skills to your financial life:

 

1. Identify a financial situation that causes you distress, such as debt, retirement, income, or savings.
2. Notice how you feel about the situation, and what thoughts and emotions arise. Are you resisting reality, trying to control everything, or avoiding action?
3. Practice radical acceptance by saying to yourself, "This is the situation, and it is what it is." Avoid judging yourself or others, or wishing things were different, I find this to be the hardest part.
4. Practice turning the mind by saying to yourself, "I am willing to accept this situation, and I am willing to take effective action." Choose to align yourself with reality, rather than fighting against it.
5. Practice half-smile and willing hands by relaxing your facial muscles and opening your palms. This can help you reduce tension and stress, and create a more positive and receptive environment.
6. Practice distress tolerance by using coping strategies that can help you deal with the situation, such as breathing exercises, distraction, self-soothing, or pros and cons. Avoid using unhealthy coping strategies, such as substance abuse, avoidance, or overspending, that can worsen the situation.
7. Take effective action by making a plan and following through. For example, if you have savings goals, you can set up automatic transfers, invest wisely, or track your progress. Be realistic, flexible, and consistent with your actions. You can always talk to a professional like a financial planner and work out a realistic and informed plan together.

 

 

This podcast episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing reality and practicing willingness in our financial life. So, let's cultivate the power of willingness and embrace the present moment for a happier and wealthier life. I am already noticing a big change in my mood and I’ve only just started.

 

(Note: The information provided in this blog post is based on the podcast episode "59: Willingness" from the Bay Area DBTCC Podcast. Please refer to the original source for the full episode and additional resources.)