At one time I was about $30,000 in credit card debt. I shopped and mindlessly charged in what I now realize was a desperate and misguided attempt to fill the emotional holes in my heart. My home was filled with stuff and no matter how much I bought, my heart was still empty. I was so tired of feeling out of control, like a hamster going round and round on a wheel.
It was not easy to admit to myself how far removed I had been from personal responsibility. I ignored my gut and continued to lie to myself that shopping was good therapy. It was embarrassing and shocking to finally own up to the fact that I had been so dishonest with myself. Now I faced a huge financial challenge. Accepting the truth caused such a deep panic I remember falling onto the floor at the sheer impact of my situation. I was immediately filled with fear and worry. I could not imagine how I was going to pay off all the debt.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and finally got control of myself. After a few days of living with the raw honesty of new reality I figured the only way to be free and to begin healing my heart-holes was to assume full responsibility for what I had created. I tore up all my credit cards and established a payback plan. When the urge to shop hit I took a walk, sat alone outdoors in the natural world, called a friend to catch up, directly addressed the negative thoughts of my past, or went to a local organization and volunteered to help others. With time, each of the self-loving actions I took steadily wore away the need for something outside me to repair my broken heart.
Over several years I did pay off the debt and today I am debt free. Getting free of such an irresponsible past was one of the biggest challenges I’ve overcome. It happened when I became completely honest with myself. When I emotionally owned what I had created, instead of mindlessly ignoring what I did, I finally found the strength to successfully get off the wheel that was taking me nowhere.
Today I am truly grateful for the experience. I know now the holes in my heart could only be repaired with self-love and respect. These are two of the things I found once I had the courage to be honest with myself about being dishonest with myself.
