Tips for Overcoming the Negative Emotions of Bankruptcy: How Can an Attorney Help Me with My Finances?

As advantageous as bankruptcy is when you are struggling financially, it’s still a stressful experience. Some people have a tough time reconciling that one of the best decisions you’ll ever make is also one of the most difficult and leads to weeks or months of complicated emotions. If you’re dealing with tough bankruptcy emotions and wondering “how can an attorney help me with my finances?” you aren’t alone.

Are you experiencing emotional or physical “side effects” from bankruptcy?  Learning how to manage the difficult emotions related to bankruptcy will make your experience much easier.

Reframe Your Thoughts About Bankruptcy

One of the best approaches to dealing with any type of stress is to alter your thoughts about the issue. Bankruptcy is no different.

If your view of bankruptcy has always been negative, now is the time to make a change. Filing for bankruptcy doesn’t make you a loser or someone who wasn’t capable of handling things. At worst, filing for bankruptcy means you made some mistakes and you’re correcting them. And for some people, there weren’t even mistakes. They’re using bankruptcy as a tool to repair the damage that occurred due to events beyond their control.

The best way to think about bankruptcy is to view it as a fresh start. Bankruptcy is a fresh start because it discharges or re-organizes your debt and allows you to start fresh. It’s like a reset button that allows you to regain control of your financial situation.

Bankruptcy is also a forward-focused action. Instead of remaining mired in the overwhelming situation you’re in, bankruptcy wipes the slate clean and lets you rebuild. During bankruptcy, you’ll learn new skills and gain knowledge. You’ll realize that bankruptcy really can help me with my finances.

Keep Busy

Another great strategy for avoiding the negative emotions of bankruptcy is to stay busy during the weeks and months that follow filing.

This is a great time to take up a new hobby or begin a physical fitness regimen. Both can help you ward off anxiety and depression. The last thing you want to do once you’ve filed for bankruptcy is to sit around worrying about what could go wrong or what the future holds.

If you can’t distract yourself with activities not related to bankruptcy or you find yourself lying awake at night thinking about bankruptcy, it helps to write out a plan or list. Getting your thoughts down on paper means they won’t be bouncing around in your head at 2 am. Some people will benefit from sitting down every evening, creating a list of bankruptcy-related tasks they need to accomplish the next day, and then set the list aside until the sun rises.

If there’s nothing on the to-do list, create a task that helps you feel in control. For example, “check out a financial management book from the library” or “create savings goals for the rest of the year,” help you feel in control of your situation and look forward to the future.

Nothing Works and I’m Still Stressed

It’s understandable why people who have recently filed for bankruptcy can feel overwhelmed by their situation. Even if they’ve ended the aggressive collection efforts and daily calls from creditors, it doesn’t mean anxiety will just evaporate.

If stress or anxiety are interfering with your daily life, it might be time to speak to a professional. The last thing you want is for your bankruptcy-related stress to spiral out-of-control and lead you down a dark emotional path. It’s better to get help for your situation and learn effective skills for managing your difficult and justifiable emotions.

If you’d like to learn more about mental health issues or you’re looking for access to resources, check out this information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Filing for bankruptcy ranks among the most stressful experiences a person can endure in their life. But on the other side, things are positive and there’s a brighter financial future. Working with an attorney ensures the process goes as smoothly as possible and that your bankruptcy is a success.

Can an Attorney Help Me with My Finances?

Definitely. This is true whether you’ve decided to file or you aren’t sure yet if bankruptcy is right for you.

To learn more or to speak to someone about filing for bankruptcy, contact the Law Office of Robert M. Geller at 813-254-5696 to schedule a free consultation.