5 Essential Tips for Achieving Personal Wellness

^{By Christie Woods at Bromwich+Smith | 1350 words | Reading Time: 7 minutes  | Date: 2023/05/09}

I am the Senior Financial Wellness Partner in the Bankruptcy department at Bromwich+Smith. In my nearly ten years with the company, I have worked in a variety of roles. My journey started as one of the front desk receptionists and since then I have tried my hands at multiple different positions in the firm including debt relief specialist then on to a proposal administrator, then a bankruptcy administrator and now my role as senior financial wellness partner. I like to think of myself as a compassionate and empathic person, which helps when dealing with clients going through one of their worst moments in life. I want to share my top 5 tips, to succeeding in Financial and overall wellness. 

1. Life live to the fullest, and with no regrets. Life is way to short to let the small things bother you, and tomorrow is never guaranteed.  
   I strive to live my life the way my mother lived hers. When I was young my mother was diagnosed with lymphoma, she went through all the required treatments and beat it. I noticed that once mom was in remission, she did not take anything else for granted. She lived life to the fullest and made so many amazing memoires for years up until she passed away in July 2022. Watching my mom go through everything that she went through made me realize that life is way to short to sweat the small things and that well you are healthy enough to take the trips and make the memories you should do it. When our time is over in this world no one will remember you for the possession that you held but for the memories that you created with them.   

2. Take the trip and build memories. Spend the money and time as you cant take either of those with you in the end. 
   I love to travel, and I am lucky to be in a financial position to be able to travel. I enjoy making lasting memories and travel with loved ones to help create special moments.  

• Some ways to start saving money to put towards your travel goals: 
• Start by choosing your destination, and date of travel. Once I have done that I do some research on everything from costs of flights to accommodations and activities while there. This will give me an idea of what type of budget I need to save for  
• I always pick a date in the future so it gives me plenty of time to start setting money aside.  
• I have a vacation savings account in a separate bank account that I can not withdraw money from easily and each payday I will add funds to that account leading up to the trip. Depending on the length of time I have to save that could be $20- $100 or more. 
• I also don’t travel with a credit card, when I comes to spending money for excursions or souvenirs I take cash, and set myself a daily limit, once I am at my limit for the day I know that I am done shopping. I feel like most people travel with a credit card now and have the mindset that its like free money, but its not and you will have to pay it back.  

3. Make time for yourself. Self care is so important in life, so make time for it. This can be just as simple as a bubble bath or more creative like joining a craft group. 
   Stress can affect all aspects of our life, and when we are stressed out about finances it tends to show up in other areas of our life as well. Make sure to set aside time for you, to do things you enjoy. It can be something bigger like planning a trip, or a house project or something as simple as running a bath and reading a novel. When it comes to self care there is no wrong answer- as long as you are taking the time to do something for you! 

4. Your self worth is not based on your income. 
   You are worth more than the amount in your bank account, and your value does not decline if you are in debt. Debt does not define who you are or the great things that you do, but is only a reflection of a single moment in time when you needed help. If you are struggling, or feeling low make sure to reach out and find the resources that can elevate you back into the light you deserve to be in.  

5. Treat everyone with grace and respect.  
   Sadly, we live in a time where kindness doesn’t always come as first nature to many. After years of isolation due to the Pandemic it seems easier to judge others based on our own values and thoughts. Try to put your experiences aside and try to come at the situation from the other persons perspective. It may feel silly, or even be difficult to do at first but the more we try to look at a situation from more than just one side the easier it will become. 

In my position I don’t always get to be delivering good news, usually when I am reaching out to a client it is because something has gone wrong. Personally, I like dealing with situations like that as I know that I can help the client get past the bad news and still help them succeed to a full discharge. Filing for a bankruptcy or any insolvency can be extremely stressful, and some people are very embarrassed about it. I think what everyone needs to understand is that their self worth truly is not determined based on this current situation. When someone receives upsetting or stressful news it is extremely important, to take time for themselves and process it. Some people take on everything all at once which can make them sick- both literally and figuratively. I recommend that they take as little as 20 minutes a day to do something just for them that will help keep them relaxed and well. Selfcare can be as simple as reading a chapter from your favourite book, a bike ride around your favourite park, a walk with your dog, or watching your favourite tv show. Self care does not have to cost hundreds of dollars it can be free.  

If you feel like you are struggling, or that your self worth has diminished due to your debt remember that you are not alone. Bromwich+Smith has a number of debt relief strategies to help you regain control of your finances and get your life back on track. Reach out today for a free, confidential, no obligation consultation. Bromwich+Smith’s Debt Relief Specialists are available by phone at 1.855.884.9243, or request a call back at contact us page.  

FAQ for Achieving Personal Wellness 

1- What is personal wellness? 
 
Personal wellness refers to a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that considers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person's life. 
 
2- Why is personal wellness important? 
 
Taking care of our personal wellness can lead to increased happiness, reduced stress, improved relationships, and a better overall quality of life. 
 
3- What are some ways to achieve personal wellness? 
 
Some tips to achieve personal wellness include taking care of your physical health through regular exercise and healthy eating, practicing mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques, nurturing positive relationships, and pursuing hobbies and interests that bring you joy. 
 
4- How does personal wellness relate to financial wellness? 
 
Financial wellness is an important aspect of personal wellness. Financial stress can have a negative impact on overall health and wellbeing, so taking steps to manage your finances and reduce debt can improve your personal wellness. 
 
5- How can I start improving my personal wellness today? 
 
Start by setting small goals and taking action towards them each day. Whether it's going for a walk, practicing meditation, or reaching out to a friend for support, taking small steps towards personal wellness can lead to big results over time. 

Christie Woods, Senior Financial Wellness Partner  Christie is a senior member of the team and has incredible knowledge of bankruptcies and how to help clients move towards a successful financial future. When she has time, she likes to watch Disney movies and true crime documentaries, with her two fur babies and husband.  She loves to travel the world – her favorite destination so far is New York City with her mom and sister.