This Spring, I had the pleasure of joining Lisa Burke on RTL Today representing the work we do at Flourish Financially alongside my co-founder Minna Schmidt for the debut of our new quarterly series: The Four Seasons of Financial Health.
Our mission? To help people – especially women – navigate their financial lives not just with technical tools, but with emotional clarity, psychological resilience, and long-term thinking. In a world that often feels off-balance, this is more essential than ever.
Why talk about money in Spring?
Spring is the season of new beginnings. A time to prepare the soil, plant seeds, and take hopeful steps forward – even if we can’t yet see the results. That metaphor fits perfectly with investing and financial wellbeing in today’s world.
Because let’s be honest: the global landscape is turbulent. From inflation to geopolitical conflict, interest rate uncertainty to volatile markets, the conditions are hardly comforting.
And yet – as we shared on air – this is precisely why now is a good time to start.
The Real Roots of Financial Confidence Aren’t in the Market – They’re in Your Mind
What makes our approach at Flourish Financially different?
We don’t just talk about what to do with your money. We begin with a deeper question:
“Who are you becoming – and how can money support that journey?”
From a psychological standpoint, financial paralysis is not always caused by a lack of knowledge. It’s often about trust – or the absence of it.
- Trust in the system.
- Trust in the future.
- Trust in ourselves.
In our coaching work, we often meet women who are intelligent, accomplished, and even work in finance – and yet do not invest. Why?
Because they don’t believe they’re ready.
Because they don’t see themselves as “the kind of person who invests.”
Because they fear getting it wrong more than they believe in getting it right.
That’s where psychology comes in. Learning how to calm the nervous system, set clear intentions, and define what “enough” looks like – these are powerful emotional tools that underpin every financial choice we make.
From Reactivity to Intention: Investing with Principles
During the episode, we shared some of the core investment principles that can help people navigate even the most volatile markets. These are not quick wins – they are timeless practices:
- Know your long-term vision.
- Anchor to your personal values.
- Don’t try to time the market – consistency is key.
- Understand your emotional risk tolerance.
- Diversify, simplify, and stay the course.
- Trust in the process – and in your ability to adapt.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.
Start Where You Are – Not Where You Think You “Should” Be
Perhaps the most counter-intuitive takeaway?
The first step isn’t a spreadsheet or an app – it’s self-awareness.
Before diving into numbers, ask:
- What does financial wellbeing mean to me?
- What am I avoiding, and why?
- What would I do if I trusted myself more?
As Minna and I shared on the show, we often see people reaching for tools and tactics without doing the inner work. But just like a garden, your financial life grows better when you tend to the roots – your mindset, emotions, and habits.
Listen In: Catch Us on RTL
Missed the show? You can catch our segment starting at minute 28:51 here: https://play.rtl.lu/shows/en/in-conversation-with-lisa-burke/episodes/n/2293527
In our segment (after 28:51), we cover:
- Why now might be the best time to start investing
- How to stay grounded in a VUCA world
- What most people get wrong about financial freedom
- Practical tools to take your first step – today
And stay tuned: we’ll be back each quarter with seasonal financial wisdom, blending behavioural science, practical finance, and human insight.
A Gift for Your Financial Journey
Want to explore your own relationship with money?
Take our free self-assessment: the Financial Flourishing Scale
Closing Thoughts
Thanks to work I’ve done on my financial flourishing I wholeheartedly believe that our financial life is not separate from our emotional life, our purpose, or our identity.
It is a reflection of who we are – and who we are becoming.
This Spring, I invite you to take one courageous step. Plant a seed. Start a new habit. Reflect on your values.
And trust that with time and care, something beautiful will grow.
Sincerely Yours,
Dr. Sophie
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