The Ideas Fest Fiasco: Why the "M" Word Still Makes Us Squirm
The Ideas Fest Fiasco: Why the "M" Word Still Makes Us Squirm
Facing the Fear, Breaking the Silence and Changing the Money Conversation for Good
Alright, let’s get real for a minute. Ideas Fest was a blast, right? I mean, I had a great time connecting, chatting, and even setting up some exciting collaborations. The atmosphere was buzzing, full of inspiration, and overflowing with positivity. It felt like the perfect place to kick back, unwind, and dive into meaningful conversations. But—and this is a big BUT—the event also revealed a hard truth that left me a bit stunned. Yep, Ideas Fest turned into a bit of a fiasco. Here’s why.
(Oh, and if you’re sitting there wondering what Ideas Fest even is, let me fill you in real quick. Imagine a huge gathering of entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, and dreamers all coming together in one space. It’s a two-day whirlwind of workshops, networking, collaboration and idea-swapping. Basically, it’s like a festival of big thinking, where everyone’s hyped to share what they do and learn from each other. Sounds amazing, right? It is... mostly. Now, back to the story.)
Money. Yup, That Word.
Money. Just reading that word might have made you cringe a little, right? Well, let me tell you, I spent two days at Ideas Fest watching that cringe play out in real-time. Here’s the scene: I’m at my stand, smiling, inviting people over to have a laugh on the trampoline as an icebreaker (yes, fun was the goal!). People would approach, curious and open, but the second they saw what I was offering—anything that involved money—their faces changed. And I’m not talking about a mild “Oh, interesting” change. I’m talking about the full-on "Please, let’s move along quietly" look.
The Great Money Avoidance
It was like they caught sight of the word ‘money’ on my banner and suddenly remembered they left their oven on at home. Eyes would drop, smiles would tighten, and they'd shuffle past my stand like I was the ghost of bills past. I could almost hear their internal monologue: “Please don’t ask me about my finances, please don’t ask me about my finances…” And just like that, they’d be gone. Off to the next stand, where they could talk about anything but their money.
It’s wild, isn’t it? Here we were, a gathering of entrepreneurs, business owners, and creatives—all driven, ambitious and full of big ideas. Yet, the moment the conversation circled around to money, it was like a big, invisible wall went up. I saw shoulders tense, eyes dart around, and heads turn away faster than you could say, “balance sheet.”
What I Learned from the Fear
That fear, that discomfort—it speaks volumes. It wasn’t just one or two people; it was a pattern. And it told me so much about where we are as a society when it comes to money. We’re terrified of it. We’re scared of being judged, of not measuring up, of facing the reality that maybe, just maybe, our relationship with money isn’t as healthy as it could be. But here's the kicker: It’s this exact fear that’s holding us back.
You know, there are folks out there making six figures, driving fancy cars, living in beautiful homes... yet they’re drowning in debt, unable to sleep at night because they’re overwhelmed by financial anxiety. On the flip side, there are people making a modest income who feel truly rich because they’ve aligned their finances with their values. This isn't about net worth; it’s about how money fits into the life you want. And until we’re ready to talk about that—until we’re ready to confront that fear—we’re never going to be free.
Why Is Money So Taboo?
But why? Why does the word ‘money’ still make us squirm? Why is it that even in a room full of business-savvy entrepreneurs, we avoid the topic like it’s the plague? Here's the thing: Money isn’t just numbers; it’s emotional. It’s tied to our self-worth, our identity, our sense of success. We’re scared of looking like we don’t have it all together. We’re scared of showing our cards and admitting that we might need help.
And let’s not even get started on the myths around money! We’ve been conditioned to think that money is a private, almost shameful topic. Talking about it makes us vulnerable. It exposes our fears, our mistakes, our uncertainties. But here's what I've learned: That’s exactly why we need to talk about it. Because the more we avoid it, the more we allow fear and shame to control our financial lives. And that, my friends, is the real fiasco.
What I Was Offering (And Why It Scared Them)
So, what was I offering that had people so rattled? I was offering a chance to break free from that fear. To look at money not as a source of stress or guilt, but as a tool that can align with what truly matters to you. To reshape your mindset and put money back in its rightful place—not as the ruler of your life, but as a supporter of your values and goals.
But here’s the truth: most people aren’t ready for that conversation. And it’s not their fault. Society has taught us to keep our money matters hush-hush. We’re not taught to manage our finances with confidence or even to think about how our spending aligns with our deeper values. So, when confronted with the idea of diving into their money mindset, people balk. They think, “Oh no, she’s going to judge me, lecture me, make me face things I’d rather not.”
But that’s not what Mintful Mind is about. I’m not here to judge or tell you what you’re doing wrong. I’m here to guide, to listen, and to help you find your own path to financial freedom—one that feels good, empowering, and true to who you are.
So, What Now?
Look, I get it. Talking about money is tough. It’s personal, it’s emotional, and it makes us vulnerable. But here’s the kicker: until we face that fear head-on, we’re never going to have the financial freedom we crave. It's like ignoring a health problem and hoping it’ll magically disappear. Spoiler alert: it won’t.
That’s exactly why I created Mintful Mind. I’m here to change the conversation around money. To make it a tool that empowers you, not something you avoid out of fear. If you’re willing to look at your money mindset, I promise you’ll find that there’s a whole world of freedom and confidence waiting for you on the other side.
A Challenge for You
So, let’s flip the script, shall we? Next time you hear the word ‘money,’ don’t run for the hills. Don’t bury your head and hope it goes away. Instead, pause. Reflect on why it makes you feel the way it does. What fears or beliefs are behind that reaction? And if you’re ready to explore those feelings, let’s chat. No pressure, no judgment—just an open conversation about how you can make money work for you, not against you.
Because here’s the truth: The real fiasco isn’t that people avoided me at Ideas Fest. The fiasco is that we’re all so scared of money that we’re willing to sacrifice our financial freedom just to avoid the topic altogether.
Let’s Change That
I’m here, ready to talk when you are. Let’s change the way we think about money. Let’s bring it out of the shadows and into the light where it belongs. Because when you align your money with your values, you don’t just get richer—you get freer. And isn’t that what we’re all really after?
So, what do you say?
Ready to break the silence?
Let’s do this together!
With love and inspiration,
Monica