Burnout can manifest in various ways that impact how people manage their money. When you’ve spent a majority of your adult life in some degree of burnout, this element of impact can show up in ways that you may not have realized before, but after reading the 10 areas of impact on your money below, you may have a moment of breakthrough.  If so, and you want to learn what to do next to begin restoration, I’ll share additional resources at the end of this article to help you take the next step.

Here are some ways burnout can impact your money:

Impulse Spending: Burnout may lead to seeking comfort in material possessions or experiences, resulting in impulsive spending without a clear financial plan. 

This can be a big one especially if you are ADHD or AuDHD.  Those “feel good” hits we can get from a new thing can be a big physical experience we seek to “feel good” and can sometimes feel even worse when they wear off and the thing doesn’t make us feel good anymore AND our bank account is smaller.

Neglecting Finances: Burnout can make it challenging to focus on tasks, including financial management. People may neglect bills, taxes, or budgeting, leading to financial disarray.

PDA or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, can play a part in this one sometimes too.  If this is you, be kind to yourself as you begin to unveil the layers of burnout and its impact on money.

I would know that I needed to pay a bill or file taxes but it would feel overwhelming, or so big I didn’t know where to begin and I would feel frozen or stuck and not be able to do it.  The feelings of shame, and “I’m failing at being responsible” would hit hard.

Overworking and Undervaluing Personal Time: Burnout often results from excessive work and consistent unmet needs. This can lead individuals to prioritize work over personal time when you feel that you only have a small amount of energy and it needs to be focused and used on work because that’s what’s paying the bills.  This can hinder the development of  healthy life harmony and the elements that we actually need that bring in more energy versus what we expend.

Emotional Spending: Burnout may trigger emotional responses, leading to spending as a way to calm, regulate or feel good in the body and mind.  Some people might use shopping or other expenditures as a way to alleviate stress or anxiety temporarily.

This was how I would seek an unmet need for belonging.  I would buy things that I saw others wearing or things that they had so that I could have those same things to “fit in” with a particular group in order to try and fulfill that need of belonging.

Not Planning for the Future: Burnout can make it difficult to envision or plan for the future. This may result in neglecting savings, investments, or retirement planning.

I couldn’t picture a future for myself most of my life because I was so focused on just surviving in the moment so often.  I could envision a future occasionally or day dream about what I “wished” my life was like, however I never felt like I had the energy or the ability to create a dream future so in that respect I also avoided it because it made me feel worse.

Neglecting Financial Education: Burnout may limit the capacity for ongoing learning, including financial education. Staying informed about personal finance becomes challenging when burnout is present.

How we process information, especially new information during burnout, can be very challenging and it requires gentleness.  The way burnout impacts how we take in information can change from moment to moment and can range from needing text, audio, text and audio or video with audio, captions and being able to lip read and “feel” through the information are some of the ways we take in and process information.  

Avoidance of Financial Conversations: Burnout can affect communication, leading individuals to avoid discussions about money with partners, family, or financial advisors.

This is something that I didn’t realize was playing such a huge role in my relationships, NOT talking about money.  For starters, I had no idea how to have this conversation and the biggest challenge of all was this felt so huge, scary and my body would feel riddled with anxiety because I was scared of money.  Admitting to myself and to another person that I had no clue and was a money disaster was a big part of why I kept silent and didn’t have money conversations for decades.  

Many of us who are over 30 grew up in homes where money wasn’t discussed.  Discussing money was not “appropriate” or considered rude in some social circles.

Ignoring Warning Signs: Burnout might make it challenging to recognize warning signs of financial distress or impending problems, leading to delayed responses.

Compromising Professional Growth: Individuals experiencing burnout might hesitate to invest in professional development or education that could enhance their earning potential.

I certainly didn’t think spending money I didn’t have and energy I didn’t have into personal development courses or coaching to help grow my career was even a possibility.  It just didn’t happen and I didn’t think it was possible when I was already broke and exhausted.

Financial Perfectionism: Burnout can contribute to a perfectionist mindset, making individuals overly critical of their financial situation, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.

If I didn’t have the “perfect” budget or the perfect spreadsheet with everything in the correct place then I didn’t have anything that I could work with and then I couldn’t make decisions on what to do with my money.

This can be a real challenge especially when it is rooted in not feeling safe to make mistakes.

It's essential to recognize these signs early and seek support to address burnout and its impact on financial well-being.  You aren’t alone and there are so many ways to begin this process that feels doable and not as scary and overwhelming as trying to do it on your own.  

You matter, your needs matter, your money and financial security matter and it is doing it with support and community that the restoration journey truly begins.

If you are ready to begin taking that next step, start by taking my quiz, How Spicy is Your Burnout? So that You know where you are on the burnout scale right now in order to get the strategic plan you need to begin with a map that is tailored just for you.

Take the quiz here: 

https://resources.mindyourautisticbrain.com/products/courses/view/1155744 

Resources-

Exercise:

"Financial Mindfulness Snapshot"

Take a moment to pause and engage in this brief but impactful exercise to gain insight into your current financial state and identify areas for improvement. This exercise is designed to provide a small win and serve as a starting point for your burnout money restoration journey.

Breathe and Reflect:

Begin by finding a quiet space. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Reflect on your current financial situation without judgment.

List Your Financial Habits:

Grab a pen and paper or use a digital note-taking app. List three financial habits or behaviors that you've noticed in your life recently. These could be related to spending, saving, budgeting, or any other aspect of your financial life. Use the list of 10 items above to help guide you in this.

Identify Burnout Activators:

Next to each financial habit, jot down any burnout activators or stressors that may have influenced these behaviors. Recognizing the connection between burnout and money is a crucial step in your restoration journey. Be gentle with yourself as you begin to see how these connect and correlate.

Acknowledge Small Wins:

Now, identify one small win or positive action you can take to begin a more aligned state of being between you and your money or to improve how you feel for each of the three financial habits. These should be manageable steps that contribute to your financial well-being.  You don’t have to choose all three, just pick the one that feels the lightest, or easiest right now and pause the rest until later.  Remember, this isn’t about doing it perfectly or fixing everything at once.

Set Intentions:

Formulate a positive intention related to your financial habits. For example, if impulse spending is a challenge, your intention could be "I will make mindful purchasing decisions this week and tune into what I really need versus how I want to feel in the moment."

Commit to Small Action:

Choose one of the small wins you identified and commit to taking action on it within the next week. This could involve creating a simple budget, setting a reminder to pay bills, or exploring resources for financial education.  This could also be reaching out to a friend or someone who can encourage and support you on your journey to restoration.

Reflect on Progress:

At the end of the week, revisit your list. Reflect on the actions you took and any changes you observed. Celebrate the small wins and use them as motivation for further progress.

Progress will look and feel different for each person.  Sometimes progress is the simple fact that you thought about what you needed and that is the win.

Remember, this exercise is about progress, not perfection. Every small step you take contributes to your journey of burnout money restoration. Stay kind to yourself and acknowledge the effort you're putting into creating positive change.

Listen to episode 139: Navigating Finances During Burnout: 10 Ways Burnout Impacts Your Money with Bryan Huhn

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/Bocjw5jCoFb 

Article written by Carole Jean Whittington

Carole Jean Whittington: Transforming Lives and Empowering Sustainable Energy

Meet Carole Jean Whittington, a passionate advocate for burnout restoration and sustainable energy, dedicated to helping others discover sustainable energy and excel as leaders in their careers, relationships, and beyond. Carole Jean is the esteemed author of "Unleashing Sustainable Energy: A Strategic Approach to Transforming Spicy Burnout for ADHD/Autistic Professionals." She's also the visionary Founder of Mind Your Autistic Brain, a groundbreaking consulting firm specializing in Burnout Restoration, Accessibility, and Neurodiversity.

Carole Jean's company is no ordinary consultancy; it stands out as one of the world's largest and only Autistic/ADHD owned and staffed firms of its kind. Her work is reshaping the landscape of support for ADHD and Autistic individuals, fostering inclusion and empowering their voices.

As a Burnout Restoration Strategist, Carole Jean hosts the popular talk show, "Beyond Autistic Burnout," a global sensation that captivates audiences in over 93 countries. The show reaches a staggering audience of over 550,000 listeners and watchers each week. Spotify has honored "Beyond Autistic Burnout" as a top 5% podcast in the Self-Help category for 2022, recognizing its profound impact on the ADHD/Autistic community.

Carole Jean's groundbreaking solutions, including "The UnVeiling Method" and "The Neurodiverse Communication Ecosystem," empower companies, teams, and individuals with diverse minds to authentically connect and thrive. Through her work, lives are transformed, and a more inclusive and supportive world is being built.

Carole Jean's unwavering commitment to Neurodiversity has garnered recognition and accolades. She has been named one of the Top 50 Neurodivergent Global Evangelists by Neurodiversity World, powered by Dynamis Group. She is also among the finalists for the "Neurodivergent Achiever of the Year 2023" in the Celebrating Neurodiversity Awards hosted by Genius Within CIC and has been a finalist in the Community Choice Award.

Carole Jean Whittington is a true trailblazer, leading the charge for Neurodiversity and making a profound impact on the lives of ADHD/Autistic professionals and the world at large. Her dedication and innovative approaches are transforming the way we perceive and support neurodivergent individuals.

Ready to Transform Your Journey? Connect with Carole Jean Today!

If you're an ADHD/Autistic professional seeking to unleash your sustainable energy and reach new heights in your career and life, Carole Jean Whittington is here to guide you. Don't wait to embark on a transformative journey with a leader in Neurodiversity and Burnout Restoration.

Begin your Spicy Burnout Restoration Today by discovering what level of burnout you are experiencing right now. 

Take the Spicy Pepper Burnout Quiz to get your unique Level and First Steps to Burnout Restoration today:

https://resources.mindyourautisticbrain.com/products/courses/view/1155744 

Contact Carole Jean Whittington:

📧 Email: info@MindYourAutisticBrain.com

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Carole Jean is ready to help you discover your sustainable energy blueprint, authentic connections, and a thriving life. Connect with her today and take the first step toward a brighter and more inclusive future.