Let’s talk about something we don’t talk about enough:

The way depression messes with your money.

Not in theory. Not in abstract statistics. I’m talking real-life, lived experience.

The Research Is Clear (and So Is Real Life)
Studies have shown over and over again that people who are experiencing depression are significantly more likely to struggle with problematic debt.

You might be thinking:

“Well, yeah. If you’re in debt, of course you’d be depressed.”

And you’d be right.
But the reverse is just as true.

When someone is depressed, it affects their ability to make thoughtful financial decisions. And when access to money is available—whether through income, credit cards, or loans—that depression can show up as:

Spontaneous purchases

Impulse spending

Subscription overload

Financial avoidance

Not because the person is careless.
But because they’re craving a dopamine hit. A moment of relief. A little “oomph” of joy in an otherwise gray day.

Retail Therapy Is Real (But It’s Not the Solution)
You’ve heard the term retail therapy, right?

It’s cute. It’s catchy.
And for some people, it’s become a survival tool.

But here’s the truth:

People often buy not because they need it, want it, or even like it—
but because the act of buying feels good for just a second.

And then?

The bills come due. The overdrafts show up. The shame sets in.
And the cycle repeats.

Fight-or-Flight… at the Bank?
When your mental health is in “fight or flight” mode, your brain is prioritizing survival—not strategy.

You may:

Avoid looking at your bank account

Forget due dates

Miss opportunities for budgeting or savings

Rack up Non-Sufficient Fund (NSF) fees

If this is you, please hear this:
You are not lazy. You are not irresponsible. You are not alone.

You’re a human being doing your best with a nervous system that’s overwhelmed.

So What Can You Actually Do?
Here are some small shifts that can make a big difference:

☀️ Get Outside
Seriously. Vitamin D isn’t just a buzzword. It’s essential for mood regulation. A walk around the block is free medicine.

🧘🏾‍♀️ Move Your Body
No gym required. Stretch. Dance in your living room. Shake off the fog.

📱 Audit Your Subscriptions
Look at what you’re actually using. Keep what supports your mental health. Cancel the rest.

💬 Connect with a Friend
Isolation fuels avoidance. Just talking to one person can shift your mindset.

🧠 Spend on Therapy, Not Trinkets
If you’re spending $200/month on random retail dopamine, consider swapping that for counseling or coaching that actually gets to the root.

Let’s Break the Cycle
If you’ve been stuck in the loop of:

“I feel bad → I spend → I feel worse → I avoid → repeat…”

You’re not the only one.

And you don’t have to stay stuck.

Final Thought
You don’t have to wait until you feel “better” to start making money moves.
You can build clarity while you’re healing.
You can practice grace while you’re growing.
You can choose progress over perfection.

Let’s do it together.

With compassion and clarity,
– Prudence
@MasterYourMint