From Rock Bottom to Recovery: My Story
How I learned that healing your relationship with money requires healing your relationship with yourself.
The Credentials That Couldn't Save Me
I had it all figured out – or so I thought. With an MBA in Finance under my belt and years of experience as a financial advisor, I was confident in my ability to guide others toward financial success. I understood portfolios, risk management, and investment strategies like the back of my hand.
But when my personal life began to unravel, all of that knowledge felt useless. The divorce was devastating, both emotionally and financially. The legal fees, the division of assets, the sudden shift from dual income to single – it was overwhelming.
When Knowledge Wasn't Enough
In my desperation and pain, I turned to gambling. It started small – just a way to escape the constant stress and maybe, just maybe, find a quick solution to my mounting financial problems. What began as occasional visits to the casino quickly spiraled into a compulsive behavior that I couldn't control.
The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, a financial professional who had spent years teaching people about risk management, making increasingly irrational bets with money I couldn't afford to lose. The shame was unbearable. How could I face my clients when I couldn't even manage my own finances?
The Descent into Darkness
The gambling losses mounted quickly. Credit cards maxed out. Savings depleted. My credit score, once a source of pride, plummeted as I missed payments and struggled to keep up with mounting debt. The financial stress was crushing, but the mental toll was even worse.
Depression set in like a heavy fog. I found myself paralyzed by anxiety, unable to open bills or even check my bank account. The very thing I was supposed to be an expert in – money management – had become my greatest source of terror. I felt like a fraud, a failure, and completely alone.
The Turning Point: Realizing I Needed Help
Rock bottom has a way of forcing clarity. Sitting in my empty apartment, surrounded by overdue notices and collection letters, I realized that all my financial education had taught me about the mechanics of money but nothing about the psychology behind it.
I began to understand that my gambling wasn't really about money – it was about pain, trauma, and a desperate attempt to feel something other than the overwhelming shame and anxiety that had consumed my life. Traditional financial advice couldn't address the emotional wounds that were driving my self-destructive behavior.
Healing the Whole Person, Not Just the Bank Account
My recovery journey required addressing both my financial situation and my mental health simultaneously. I sought therapy to understand the emotional triggers behind my gambling. I joined support groups where I met others struggling with similar issues. I learned about financial trauma and how our relationship with money is often shaped by deeper psychological patterns.
Slowly, painfully, but persistently, I began to rebuild. Not just my credit score or my savings account, but my entire relationship with money. I discovered that sustainable financial recovery requires emotional healing, self-compassion, and strategies that acknowledge the very real mental health challenges that often accompany financial distress.
Why I Created Witt Journey Blog
Today, I work as a financial analyst, and while I no longer provide direct financial advice, I've found my true calling in sharing what I've learned about the intersection of financial wellness and mental health. Witt Journey Blog exists because I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming financial struggles can be, especially when they're compounded by mental health challenges.
This blog is my way of offering the support and understanding I desperately needed during my darkest moments. It's for anyone who has ever felt ashamed of their financial situation, who has struggled with the emotional weight of debt, or who has discovered that traditional financial advice just doesn't work when you're dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other mental health challenges.
My Mission & Values
Everything I share is grounded in empathy, evidence, and the understanding that true financial wellness encompasses both your bank account and your well-being.
Compassionate Guidance
No judgment, no shame. Just understanding and practical support for your unique journey.
Evidence-Based Strategies
Combining financial expertise with mental health research to provide strategies that actually work.
Community & Connection
Building a supportive community where people can heal from financial trauma together.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
You don't have to face financial stress and mental health challenges alone. Let's take this journey together, one step at a time.
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