As a neurodivergent millennial and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) living in the city, my relationship with money has been tumultuous, fraught with mistakes and hard-learned lessons. In this blog post, I want to share my personal perspective on how the lack of education about money during my younger years, coupled with the challenges posed by ADHD and social media, led me down a path of impulsive spending and financial regrets. I have come to realize the importance of financial health and the need to let go of resentment as it can only hinder our progress in building a stable financial future.
Lack of Financial Education and Impulsive Spending: Like many neurodivergent individuals, I was not taught about the concept of money while growing up. Whenever I received money, the immediate question was what I would spend it on. This lack of guidance resulted in me spending every allowance at the dollar store on unnecessary items. I struggled with feelings of resentment towards my upbringing for not equipping me with the necessary tools to navigate the world of personal finance.
ADHD, Social Media, and Comparison: Another challenge I faced was the undiagnosed ADHD and its impact on my financial habits. I discovered that I could hide my struggles for a long time, but that only worsened the consequences. Moreover, the presence of social media became a double-edged sword. Comparing my worst moments to someone else’s best only fed into my insecurities and fueled impulsive spending, seeking temporary relief through retail therapy.
Negative Feedback Loop and Self-Sabotage: Unfortunately, the criticism from family members about my lack of financial savings exacerbated my internal struggles. Criticisms only made me feel worse, triggering a cycle of sadness and impulsive spending as a means of seeking comfort. As I grew older, these habits persisted, leading to more costly mistakes and financial losses.
Breaking the Cycle and Pursuing Financial Health: Recognizing the destructive patterns that plagued my financial journey, I began the process of change. Embracing consistency and understanding the significance of financial health, I strive to release the resentment I hold towards my younger self. However, the temptation to sabotage myself by spending the hard-earned savings still lingers, adding to my unresolved resentment.
Learning about money and developing healthy financial habits is a journey for everyone, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. By acknowledging the lack of financial education in our upbringing and understanding the impact of neurodivergent traits on our financial decisions, we can begin to break free from the negative patterns that hold us back. It is crucial to let go of resentment and focus on building a stable financial future, making mindful choices that align with our long-term goals. Remember, true financial health lies not in regret, but in letting go and forging a better path forward.
Best,
NeurodivergentBCBA