Financial Reciprocity must exist for our Work to be Generative

I can still get pulled off my center with earning - my deeply rooted belief that we must receive *fair compensation for our work. That reciprocity must exist for our work to be generative.

I am reading a book where the author is *very opinionated about people charging ‘a lot’ for healing work, instead giving it away for free.

I could feel the author’s judgment seep in, feel the eyes of that judgment on me, chafing against the old belief that I must help people without expecting anything in return (a tricky belief to navigate when your paid work centers around helping others…).

It’s good for my beliefs to be challenged, and questioned. I welcome the mental prodding, the initial discomfort - because I hope to always be in a process of refinement, clarification, and curiosity about all the beliefs I hold.

Over the last few days I have seen several influential figures on Instagram post about radically lowering their rates - because of late stage capitalism, or simply because it feels more aligned for them to do so.

These are beautiful declarations - because I know how sincere these individuals are. I share their wrestling about capitalism, accessibility, and privilege.

Yet all I can think about is how quickly, and unconsciously, doubt may slip into YOU - especially if you already feel shaky about receiving adequate compensation for your work.

Especially if you have jumped to a rate that you haven’t yet grown into - and fully embodied (too much, too soon… perhaps from some external pressure).

Because as rooted as I am in my own rates, my own fair pricing, it’s amazing how quickly that shame can slip into me…

Yet I can now allow my sensitive self to feel those ‘eyes’ and hold the tension of discomfort, with curiosity - discerning if this message holds truth for me (it may), or if I am simply absorbing the projection of another.

There are all kinds of messages and declarations coming at us from opposing directions - puffing us up or tearing us down - at every hour of the day. We need to anchor deeply in our own truth so we aren’t swayed from the path of our individual growth.

Receiving money for our work is necessary - for the obvious reason that we all must eat.

Yet it is also about respect - for yourself, and the recipient.

I see too many people subsidizing their low rates with their own accumulating debt, low retirement balances, or generalized financial anxiety.

This imbalance is financial - and energetic. It can become an energetic debt you inadvertently pass on to your client, the recipient of your work. That debt has the flavor of resentment, and worse.

Finding the right balance in your pricing is an art - it is also deeply personal, not formulaic.

It can change - it is not set in stone.

In E X P A N D we spend a lot of time exploring the value of your work - of ensuring that your rates reflect a healthy equilibrium for all.

You explore the edges that you are ready to claim, stretching and widening when it’s either necessary or desired.

Does this mean you are no longer generous with your support? That we charge the highest amount possible?

Absolutely not. It means that whenever you choose to share your gift for a reduced fee, or for free, you do so consciously, and with LOVE. You are not acting from expectation, obligation, or a belief system that is not yours. There is a profound difference for both you and the recipient.

The truth is, there is so much room for the “both / and”. You may charge very little for one offer, and a lot for another.

I deeply respect each individual’s path in this work - because I know how much internal growth is happening, invisibly, in tandem.

That work is about seeing yourself as worthy.

It is about believing that you deserve to be financially sustained and supported.

I want you to be skilled at finding your own center so you aren’t pulled off of it without your thoughtful attention and awareness.

Your work, your clients, and YOU deserve an anchor to *your own truth - reflected in your rates and your pricing - yet a truth that still listens, explores, and evolves.

If you want an anchor of guidance and community, you may be interested to learn more about E X P A N D - I would be honored to support your own journey with rates, pricing, receiving, and earning in that space.