The Language of Abundance: Grounding Your Financial Dreams in Reality

In the world of self-development and money mindset, you may have come across the idea of ‘acting as if’ you’re already abundant. The ‘fake it til you make it’ crew. It’s an attractive idea, after all, who doesn’t want to feel empowered, capable and wealthy without having to put the effort in to achieve it?

The problem arises when this mindset gets distorted into a form of avoidance, where people start to ignore their current financial reality altogether. This is “Abundance Bypassing.” It’s the financial version of spiritual bypassing, where instead of dealing with the reality of pain or challenges, we skip straight to positive affirmations without addressing the underlying issues.

Read on and we’ll explore what abundance bypassing is, why it’s dangerous, and how to stay rooted in your financial reality while working towards your dreams.

What is Abundance Bypassing?

Abundance bypassing occurs when we jump into a state of pretending that everything is perfect financially, without acknowledging where we truly are. It’s the idea of “fake it till you make it” gone too far. We’re told to behave as if we already have the wealth we desire. And while this can be fun, reduce stress in the short-term, it can lead to poor decisions and financial stress if it’s not anchored in reality.

This is a form of toxic positivity that encourages people to book expensive trips they can’t afford or make purchases in the belief that “the money will come.” While it’s powerful and important to visualise your future success and aligning your actions with that vision, it’s essential to first accept your current situation. True abundance is not about pretending and lying to yourself; it’s about gratitude for what we already have, having a mindset that allows you to both appreciate what you have now and create a realistic action plan for the future you believe and want to achieve.

Start With Where You Are

True abundance starts with clarity. You cannot begin to create sustainable financial success without first understanding where you are today. This means looking at your finances honestly, no sugar-coating, no wishful thinking, no rose tinted glasses. Do you know how much you earn each month? Do you understand your expenses and where your money is going?

Taking stock of your current financial situation doesn’t mean you’re stuck in it, nor does it have to be demovitating. Instead, it gives you the starting point from which you need to grow. It’s like looking at a map; you have to know where you are before you can plot your route to your desired destination. In my experience, avoiding this step leads to more stress, higher debt and disillusionment when the reality of your finances catches up to you.

The Role of Gratitude

Gratitude is often confused with abundance bypassing, but they are not the same thing. Gratitude is about appreciating what you already have, while still recognising that there’s more you want to achieve. It’s about acknowledging that while you may not have reached your financial goals yet, you already have abundance in many areas of your life.

For example, you might not have enough savings for a dream holiday right now, but maybe you can afford to pay your rent or mortgage, provide for your family, or enjoy small luxuries in your daily life. Gratitude helps us stay focused on the positive, without denying the reality of our situation. It doesn’t mean you stay where you are, or reduce your goals. It helps ground us before we leap forward!

A Personal Example: Reality vs. Denial

Let me share a recent experience to illustrate how I practice abundance while staying rooted in reality. I had been thinking about taking a trip, something a bit whimsical, and when I priced it out, it was more expensive than I had pictured. At that time, my business had been slow, and my revenue wasn’t where I wanted it to be. The simple truth was that I couldn’t afford the trip at that moment.

When I shared this with someone, they immediately told me I shouldn’t say that. “You can’t say you can’t afford it,” they said, “because that’s not abundant thinking.”

But my response was, “It’s reality.” It didn’t mean I was stuck in a scarcity mindset. I wasn’t ashamed that I couldn’t afford the trip right then; I was simply acknowledging my financial reality. Pretending otherwise would have been denying the truth and could have led to financial strain or even debt. 

Instead of feeling defeated, I shifted my perspective. I asked myself, “What can I do to be able to afford this in the future? What changes do I need to make in my business to ensure that I can create the income I desire?” This is where mindset work comes in. Acknowledging reality doesn’t mean you accept it as permanent. It simply means you’re facing it head-on so that you can work towards a better future.

Building a Bridge to Abundance

Once you’ve acknowledged where you are and practiced gratitude, the next step is to figure out how to close the gap between your current situation and your financial dreams. This requires a plan, a grounded, actionable strategy that helps you move toward abundance.

Understand Your Current Situation: Get clear on your income, expenses, debts and assets. Where exactly are you now?

Identify Your Financial Goals: What do you want? Is it a certain amount of savings? The ability to retire early? A new home? Be specific about what financial abundance looks like for you.

Create a Plan: Once you’ve identified your goal, map out the steps needed to achieve it. This might include setting up a savings plan, increasing your income through new business strategies, or reducing unnecessary spending.

Mindset Work: Your mindset is the bridge between your current reality and your vision. If you believe the gap between where you are and where you want to be is too big,or if deep down you feel unworthy of success, you risk self-sabotage.

As you create your plan, pay attention to the limiting beliefs that surface. Challenge them. Replace doubt with certainty. Trust that your goal is achievable, and that by setting a clear intention, you are aligning yourself with the support of the universe, a higher power, or whatever belief system resonates with you.

This is a partnership. When you show up authentically, commit to the process, and take intentional action, the universe meets you halfway. Do the inner work, take bold steps, and trust that what you seek is also seeking you.

The Danger of Acting ‘As If’ Without Belief

The concept of acting ‘as if’ can be powerful when used correctly. It’s about behaving in a way that aligns with your goals and helps you move towards them. But here’s the catch: You need to truly believe that those goals are achievable. Acting as if you’re already wealthy without addressing the beliefs or barriers standing in your way can lead to frustration, debt and failure.

This is why mindset work is so important. If you read a financial affirmation like “I am a magnet for wealth” and it feels wrong or triggers discomfort, that’s a sign you need to dig deeper. Why does that affirmation feel unnatural? What belief is holding you back from embodying it? What Clarity work do you need to do to truly believe that affirmation and see evidence of it in your daily life?

Work on those internal blocks. Abundance isn’t just about saying the words; it’s about doing the work, gaining clairty, believing in your own worth and capacity to achieve what you desire.

Affirmations Rooted in Reality

Affirmations can be a great tool for shifting your mindset, but they must be grounded in your reality to be effective. Instead of repeating vague statements like “I am rich,” consider using affirmations that acknowledge both your current situation and your desire for growth.

For example:

“I am grateful for the abundance I already have, and I am open to receiving more.”

“I am capable of creating financial success, and I am working towards it with clarity and confidence.”

“I trust that my actions today are leading me toward the abundance I seek.”

These affirmations honour where you are now while encouraging you to move towards your goals with intention.

Staying Grounded While Dreaming Big

Trur abundance isn’t about denying your current financial situation. It’s about staying grounded in your reality while creating a clear, actionable plan to achieve your financial dreams. By practicing gratitude, working on your mindset, and taking practical steps to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be, you can achieve true abundance, without bypassing the work.

Stay tuned, because I’ll be running a workshop soon on money, language, and abundance. In it, we’ll explore how to shift your mindset while staying grounded in your financial reality. I’d love to see you there!