Money Narratives

What Stories Do You Tell Yourself About Money?

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself: What do I believe about money?
Not just what you think consciously — but what your story is underneath it all.

Catherine Morgan describes your Money Narrative as “the story your brain believes.” And whether we realise it or not, every one of us carries one.

These stories — shaped by our childhood, culture, family, and life experiences — influence our money mindset, our emotional relationship with money, and how we make financial decisions. They affect everything from how we spend and save, to how comfortable we feel earning, receiving, and talking about money.

“You have to work hard…”

Sound familiar? It’s a message so many of us were brought up with.

“You have to work hard if you want a nice car.”
“You have to work hard if you want a big house.”
“You have to work hard if you want success.”

There’s nothing wrong with valuing hard work. But what happens when life challenges that belief?

Let’s say you’ve built a well-paid career doing something you genuinely enjoy. Maybe it doesn’t feel like hard work in the traditional sense. Does that make it less valuable?

And more importantly — how does that make you feel?

Guilt, Shame and the Hidden Impact of Money Stories

These unspoken money beliefs can creep into all sorts of places:

You feel guilty for earning more than your siblings, even if you don’t feel like you “work harder”.

You downplay your Caribbean holiday so you don’t come across as braggy.

You always pick up the bill at family dinners — not just out of generosity, but maybe to ease the guilt of being in a stronger financial position.

You overcompensate at Christmas with lavish gifts, wanting to share the wealth so you don’t have to feel bad for having it.

You avoid financial conversations or checking in with your advisers because you’d rather not face the money stuff.

These are all examples of money narratives at play

What Is Financial Coaching, and How Can It Help?

As part of my financial coaching training, I’ve worked with Catherine Morgan’s Money Narrative Clearing System — a gentle, insightful process that helps people explore and understand their current money beliefs with compassion and without judgement.

Together, we’ll explore your financial mindset and look at how your money stories may have served you in the past — and where they might now be causing emotional or financial stress.

We look at:

How your beliefs around money were formed

How these beliefs are affecting your relationships, decisions, and wellbeing

The emotional patterns connected to money (guilt, fear, shame, or even avoidance)

Then we get to work rewriting the narrative.

Why This Matters

This work isn’t about budgets or spreadsheets — it’s about creating real financial wellbeing. Because money is never just about money. It’s about safety, freedom, identity, and self-worth.

Understanding your emotional relationship with money can lift the weight of shame and open up opportunities for confidence, clarity, and calm.

You can let go of guilt.

You can feel good about the money you earn.

You can write a new money story — one that feels aligned, honest, and empowering.