5 Tips for Overcoming the Emotional Toll of Bankruptcy

Florida Bankruptcy Attorney

Getting through the bankruptcy process is about more than just improving your finances. Working with a Florida bankruptcy attorney can help.

Many people find the emotional toll of bankruptcy a major challenge. Despite the financial improvements they are making, their feelings about bankruptcy might seem overwhelming. Thankfully, there are things you can do to control your bankruptcy emotions.

What should you do to ease the emotional toll of filing for bankruptcy?

1. Understand Your Situation

Information gives you power. The more you know about your financial situation and what you’re doing to improve it the better. It’s no secret that the bankruptcy process is overwhelming and bankruptcy law is confusing.

But this doesn’t mean you should bury your head underground and let your lawyer handle everything. Understanding what’s happening, how the process works, and what will happen once our bankruptcy is complete is one of the keys to helping you feel better about your situation.

If you’re new to exploring bankruptcy and want to learn more, start here.

2. Find Support from a Florida Bankruptcy Attorney

Nobody should file for bankruptcy without the assistance of a bankruptcy attorney. But your attorney isn’t the only person who can help you get through the bankruptcy process. If you find you’re struggling to process your emotions or you don’t feel better as you get closer to receiving a bankruptcy discharge for your debts, it might be time to speak to a professional.

Seeking emotional support to help you deal with financial stress and all it entails is a smart idea. You aren’t alone, you aren’t the first person to file for bankruptcy, and you aren’t the first person to feel bad about yourself for having to file. Speaking with someone who understands and who can offer guidance for managing your difficult emotions is a way to make the best of a tough time in your life.

3. Accept Your Mistakes

Many people who file for bankruptcy are forced to do so for reasons beyond their control. Unaffordable medical bills, divorce, and job loss are some of the most common reasons for bankruptcy. You might have to file even if you did everything you were supposed to regarding your finances.

However, some people must turn to bankruptcy due to overspending or other mistakes related to their finances. It doesn’t matter. Even if you’ve made mistakes, it’s no reason to feel badly about yourself. Accept that you made mistakes and use the support of a Florida bankruptcy attorney to learn more about financial management and refuse to make the same mistakes in the future.

4. Move Forward

One of the best ways to deal with difficult emotions related to bankruptcy or anything else is to move forward in life and focus on a brighter future. Distracting yourself from your negative feelings, while still addressing your financial challenges, is a great way to overcoming your bankruptcy emotions.

Find a new hobby you enjoy, take on a side hustle, or join a club. Finding valuable ways to spend your time prevents you from dwelling on your negative feelings.

5. Use Bankruptcy as a Milestone for Positive Change

You might not have much control over your financial situation, but you do have control over your frame of mind. People who see bankruptcy as a milestone event in their lives and use it to create positive changes in their lives fare better than those who sink into self-pity. Ignoring your financial issues is bad and now that you’ve filed for bankruptcy, that’s behind you. There’s nowhere to go but up from here.

If you’re ready to take control of your financial situation or you have questions about filing for bankruptcy, we can help. Contact the Law Office of Robert M. Geller at 813-254-5696 to schedule a free consultation.