In this episode of The Money Healing Club Podcast, Rachel Duncan, Financial Therapist, responds to a listener question about the emotional side of taxes. Why do we still feel tax anxiety even when we've improved our systems and understanding? We dive into the psychology behind our tax-related stress and offer practical solutions to help soothe your tax anxiety.

How childhood experiences with taxes can create lasting anxiety

The anniversary effect - how your body remembers past stressful tax seasons

Understanding anxiety as your body's call to action

The four trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn) in relation to taxes

Somatic awareness exercises to identify and soothe tax-related fears

💬 "Your logical brain knows that you've done everything right, but your body is remembering past experiences of tax anxiety. It would make sense that your nervous system today is trying to protect you from that perceived threat happening again."

Key takeaways:

Tax anxiety is incredibly common, especially for self-employed people

Our bodies may be responding to past negative tax experiences even when our minds know we're prepared

Anxiety is your body's signal to take action - physical movement can help process it

The four trauma responses can manifest in our tax behaviors: fighting the system, avoiding/procrastinating, freezing up, or overcompensating

Rightsizing the threat helps put tax concerns in perspective

Creating positive sensory associations can help rewire your tax experience

Problems and mistakes with taxes are fixable

⏰ EPISODE BREAKDOWN

00:02:00] Amelia's question: why do I still have tax anxiety despite having systems in place?

[00:08:00] How to understand anxiety as your body signaling you to take action

[00:09:00] The four trauma responses and how they manifest around tax time

[00:14:00] Somatic awareness exercise to identify and soothe tax anxiety

📚 Resources Mentioned

Off the Grid Podcast (Amelia Hruby, thanks for the question!)

Tax calculator (but if you're self employed, add an additional 7.65%)

Find a volunteer to help you with your taxes for free

💬 Join the Conversation

Click on the big orange button on our site right from your phone or browser and let me know what's one step you'll take to work through tax anxiety?https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast

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Full transcript: https://www.moneyhealingclub.com/podcast

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