Finance Fridays 1. Financial Anxiety in a Recession

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If you’ve been feeling more anxious about money lately — even if you’re “doing better” than before — this episode is for you.

Today we talk about what most people never explain:
👉 how a recession affects your nervous system,
👉 why your body goes into fear even when your bank account is okay,
👉 and how to calm financial anxiety without spiraling into panic.

Welcome to Finance Fridays —
the space where we talk about money with clarity, compassion, and culture…
so you don’t have to figure it out alone or in fear.

I’m Caitlin Gil-Soto — Dominican, born in Lawrence, raised between Baní and El Cibao, and an MSF candidate learning finance not just for me…
but for us.

🌙 SEGMENT 1 — Why Money Feels Scarier Right Now

A recession triggers the body before the brain.
If you grew up watching your family stretch every dollar, stressing over bills, hustling to survive, or being the “responsible one,”
your body reacts fast when prices rise.

This isn’t overreacting —
it’s your body remembering struggle.

Journal Prompt:
Where do I feel financial fear in my body?

Affirmation:
My fear is not failure — it’s memory. And I can calm it.

✨ SEGMENT 2 — The Financial Stress No One Talks About

Money stress lives in the body, not just the mind.
Overthinking. Guilt. Irritability. Shutting down. Feeling “behind.”
These aren’t bad habits —
they’re survival patterns learned in first-gen or immigrant households.

You’re not irresponsible.
You’re carrying programming that never got updated.

🌫️ SEGMENT 3 — What You’re Feeling Is Normal

Financial anxiety can look like:
 — stomach knots
 — comparison
 — avoidance
 — overspending
 — over-saving
 — pressure to “fix everything”
 — shame or emotional shutdown

For first-gen kids and children of sacrifice,
money has never been “just numbers.”
It’s meant survival, identity, duty, and stability.

You’re not alone.
And nothing is wrong with you.

🌱 SEGMENT 4 — The Gentle 3-Minute Recession Reset

1️⃣ Breathe: Inhale 4 • Hold 2 • Exhale 6
2️⃣ Look at ONE thing: your balance, one bill, one subscription
3️⃣ Take ONE small action
4️⃣ Repeat:
“I’m not behind. I’m learning a new way.”

A reset that teaches your nervous system safety.

📝 SEGMENT 5 — Journal Prompt + Affirmation

Journal Prompt:
“What memory or belief gets activated when I think about money right now?”

Affirmation:
“Even in a recession, I deserve stability, clarity, and peace.”

🙏🏽 SHORT PRAYER

“God, quiet the fear that rises in me around money.
 Remind my mind and my body that I am safe,
 provided for, and not walking this alone.

Give me clarity for the next right step,
 peace in the places that feel tense,
 and the confidence to trust that provision is already on its way.

Amen.”

🎧 CLOSING — CTA

✨ My blank journals are available on Amazon
✨ Support the show with a monthly contribution through Buzzsprout https://www.buzzsprout.com/2500478/support
✨ Follow me on IG & TikTok: @unfilandunapologeticpod

See you next episode.
 Money doesn’t control your peace —
 your nervous system does.

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