The Freedom From Empty Podcast

My Money Story

Sometimes we get exactly what we asked for. And sometimes we have to live through things we didn't know how to live through to get to the other side. From the time I was no longer able to work in 2015, I have known I was exorcising some of my demons and fears around money even as I lived through the most harrowing financial journey of my life. This episode reflects back on that journey, and what I know now that I didn't know then. Brene Brown says that if we do not own our story, it will own us. I believe her. 

Starting Again Isn't Starting Over

We may be conditioned to believe that life is an upward trajectory. And that if it isn’t, we are doing it wrong. But that construct just isn’t true. Often life feels like two steps forward and one step back. Throughout our lives, in the face of setbacks and detours and full stops, we have the opportunity to choose to begin again. But that isn't the same thing as starting over. We may not be where we thought we would be, or where we used to be, but there is a really good chance that there is a new block in our personal foundation of belief, knowledge, experience, opportunity or potential that wasn’t there before. 

Vacation Rx

Toward the end of 2018, more than half of all employees were going to leave vacation time on the table at the end of the year. In fact only 23% of employees were using up all of their vacation time. And 10% weren’t using any time at all. We aren’t taking our vacations for a variety of reasons . . .  But research shows that taking time away from the stresses of work and daily life can improve our health, motivation, relationships, job performance, and perspective and give us the break we need to return to our lives and jobs refreshed and better equipped to handle whatever comes.

 

What Will You Hold Space for in 2020

It is easy to get caught up in all of the goals, resolutions, "to dos" and the big aspirations a new year can bring. I know I have. But what about all of the things we need to hold space for in our lives? The things that represent our values and priorities. The things that help us show up as our best self? The things that help us stay well so that we actually have the capacity to "perform" and to make our dreams a reality? What will you hold space for in 2020?

Be Still

Do you struggle to find peace in stillness? There was a time when I was completely unable to be still without becoming overwhelmed with anxiety. I missed being present in my life and with my little people. And living on anxiety and adrenaline for years cost me my health. Ironically perhaps, or as wake-up calls tend to do, my journey through severe mental illness taught me the beauty of stillness. In this episode I encourage you to practice stillness too.

4 Stress Recovery Strategies That Don’t Cost $$

Self-care seems to have become synonymous with acts of indulgence. But the truth is, that self-care doesn't have to cost a thing. A quick recap: chronic stress leads to chronic inflammation which leads to chronic disease. If we do not learn to mitigate stress in our lives through recovery activities, then we are not giving our bodies the chance to recover from the onslaught of stressors we face every day. SO, consider self-care a lifeline of sorts. This episode explores 4 acts of self-care that don't cost any money, but can have a profound impact on our lives. 

Not Done Yet

Are we there yet? Am I there yet???

This healing and becoming more human business is hard work. And sometimes, we wonder if we can't just be DONE already!

Like, really. Why can't life be easier?!?!

This episode explores dynamic of healing as I have come to understand it, and teases a healing journey I am about to embark on by choice. Because I can. And because my path to becoming more fully myself, more fully human, and more integrated with my body and soul is not yet done.

You Are Not Broken. Your Body Just Needs You.

A significant part of my healing journey has been learning to listen to my body, to heed its signals, and to take more gentle care of my body in response to its messages. For those of us who are used to demanding that our bodies show up the way we want them to, having our bodies start to struggle to meet those demands can be fearful and unnerving. We fear that we are broken. That we are going to feel bad forever, and that all is lost. I am learning to reframe this fear for myself, and I hope this episode will help you too.

Choosing Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is a critical component of self-care and resilience. And yet, many of us struggle to speak kindly to ourselves in the face of our perceived mistakes and shortcomings. In this episode, I explore how we can intercede on our own behalf to build our resilience through self-compassion, and to extend grace to ourselves through the seasons of our lives. 

Fishing Line

Instead of living our lives on autopilot (or entrenched in long-held beliefs, habits and behaviors that no longer serve us), we can choose a different path. On a short vacation with my family, I had the opportunity to practice choosing to be present instead of defaulting to "productivity" or disappearing into my Instagram feed. My reflections on the experience are in this episode.