We live in a world that loves polished highlight reels — but the truth? No one has it all together. In this episode of Counselors and Coffee, Jessie Brockel unpacks the myth of perfection and the hidden ways it impacts our mental health. You'll hear why chasing "having it all figured out" keeps us stuck, and how embracing our imperfections leads to real growth, resilience, and connection. Plus, Jessie shares practical ways to replace self-criticism with self-compassion. If you’ve ever felt like you're falling behind, this conversation is your reminder that you are exactly where you need to be.Take a deep breath. You're doing better than you think.You don’t have to have it all figured out to be doing meaningful, important work in your life.Resources Mentioned:Connect with Jessie and explore mental health resources at https://www.thesupportcircle.com/Let’s Stay Connected:Follow The Support Circle on Instagram @_thesupportcircle and Facebook @thesupportcircleShare your thoughts on today’s episode using #CounselorsAndCoffee

Join us for an insightful episode as I sit down with former Oncology Nurse Cherri Hildebrandt to explore the personal journey of navigating retirement. In this episode, Cherri shares her experiences, challenges, and the rewarding aspects of transitioning into retirement. Whether you’re nearing retirement, supporting a loved one, or simply curious about the future, this conversation offers valuable perspectives and practical advice. Tune in to gain inspiration and guidance for making the most of your golden years with grace and fulfillment.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and December Update

0:14 Introducing Cherri Hildebrandt

1:09 Rethinking Retirement

2:42 Why Cherri Retired

5:26 Challenges of Retirement

8:36 Adjusting to a New Routine

9:53 A Unique Family Bond

13:32 Overcoming Isolation

20:03 Maintaining Social Connections

24:53 Looking Ahead: Plans and Goals

In this episode of Counselors and Coffe, we explore the little (and big) things that bring us joy and how they’re deeply connected to mental health. 🌈 Learn about the science behind feel-good hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, and discover simple, practical ways to boost your well-being every day.

We also dive into topics like the importance of connection, seasonal mood changes, and how to jumpstart motivation when it’s hard. Whether you’re feeling great or looking for a pick-me-up, this episode is full of inspiration to help you thrive. 🧠✨

💖 Like, subscribe, and share if you love this content, and let us know in the comments what brings you joy!

0:00 Intro: Welcome to the episode

0:14 Stuff We Love: Today’s topic explained

1:23 Feel-Good Hormones: Why they matter

2:44 Seasonal Moods: Coping with the blues

3:50 Motivation: How to start when it’s hard

5:39 Oxytocin: Connection and love hormone

8:08 Dopamine: The reward system

16:16 Serotonin: Boosting mood and sleep

23:38 Endorphins: Natural pain relievers

29:02 Finding Joy: Starting new things

https://www.thesupportcircle.com/

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