When your body says no

(Inspired by Gabor Mate’s book: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress)

Learning to listen to your intuition in money matters, matters.

Have you ever agreed to something that felt wrong in your gut, only to regret it later? Maybe it was spending more than you intended, investing in something you didn’t quite understand, or lending money you didn’t really have. The head said yes, the mouth followed, but the body whispered no.

In life and in finance, your body often knows before your brain does. It tightens up when something feels unsafe. It leans forward when something feels exciting or aligned. And too often, we’ve been conditioned to override these signals, especially when it comes to money.

Many of us were taught that financial decisions should be cold, logical, and data-driven. While there’s merit in structure and analysis, we often forget that our financial behaviour is deeply emotional and relational too. Your relationship with money has roots in your upbringing, your life experience, and your values. That means there are times when numbers alone won’t give you the full answer, but your body might.

Perhaps you're facing a big spending decision, and everything checks out on paper… but you feel tense. Is it a red flag? Or are you bumping up against a long-held belief about your worthiness to enjoy what you've worked for?

Or maybe someone asks you for a financial favour, and while you want to help, your stomach knots up. Is that your intuition telling you something about boundaries, or the weight of old habits saying you must always say yes?

Listening to your body isn’t about being impulsive. It’s about being aware. Financial health isn’t just about what’s in the bank, it's also about how aligned and confident you feel in your decisions. The best plans honour both the facts and the feelings. They help you stay informed without becoming overwhelmed, flexible without losing focus.

If you find yourself hesitating before a big financial move, it’s okay to pause. Ask yourself: What’s behind this tension? What am I afraid of? What part of this decision feels misaligned?

You might uncover a need to revisit your goals, reset expectations, or simply take a little more time before deciding.

How can we work together to help you navigate not only the strategy and spreadsheets, but the stories and sensations that shape your money decisions? Together, we can create a plan that feels as good as it looks. Because when your body says no, it’s often asking you to find a better yes.