Did you overspend over the holidays and now feel worried and stressed about the added debt? Well, you’re not alone. Many people get caught up in the moment and spend impulsively during the holidays. It happens.

Here’s a few things you can do to try to recover:

1. To avoid becoming overwhelmed, try spending 15
to 30 minutes a day managing your finances and debts to the best of
your ability and then put it away. Let it go. Managing your debt one
day at a time will help you to make consistent progress. Make a
plan…do the best you can.

2. Understand that you are not your debt. You debt represents where you are financially, not who you are.

3.
Make a commitment to understanding your spending patterns so that you
can form a new awareness around your shopping habits and impulses. Keep
a small notebook to record both your daily purchases and your mood or
emotions at the time of purchase. Notice if you tend to shop or buy
impulsively for emotional reasons.   

4. If you have any
feelings of guilt or shame associated with your spending or debt, work on
forgiving yourself and releasing the past. The past is history and you
can choose to do it differently.

5. Find new ways to cut back and simplify your life personally and financially.  What is is that you truly need
to be happy and feel secure? This is a great time to have a potluck
with your closest friends or family and watch Wayne Dyer’s new film, “The Shift”. 

5. Make a Spending Plan that
includes both saving and debt repayment to the best of your financial
ability. Even little efforts will make a difference and will increase
your self-esteem.

6. If your debt load is overwhelming and preventing you from sleeping or
living a normal life, it is important to seek the help of a certified
debt or credit counselor. Remember, you deserve help and support, so reach out for
assistance.

7.
Debt can create stress in your life, so integrate stress management
techniques into your daily life and nurture yourself by exercising and
eating well.

8. If you’re financial circumstances are causing you to feel deeply depressed or unable to cope with your financial circumstances, seek the help of a professional. You don’t have to figure it out alone!

Peace & Blessings!