The Centered Midlife: Reclaiming Our Worth From The Inside Out cover art

The Centered Midlife: Reclaiming Our Worth From The Inside Out

The Centered Midlife: Reclaiming Our Worth From The Inside Out

By: Dr. Natalie Marr Clinical Psychologist and Midlife Expert
Listen for free

About this listen

 For too long, women in midlife have been the shock absorbers for their families and careers, leaving themselves last on the list. But what if the "Crisis" is actually an invitation? Join Clinical Psychologist Dr. Natalie as she helps you navigate the midlife transition with humor, heart, and science to help you shift from external validation to internal peace. The Centered Midlife is your weekly guide to unlearning the "shoulds," healing perfectionism, and reclaiming your worth. You don’t need to fix yourself; you just need to find yourself again.Dr. Natalie Marr, Clinical Psychologist and Midlife Expert Social Sciences
Episodes
  • What to Let Go of in Midlife

    What to Let Go of in Midlife
    Feb 5 2026
    In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Natalie addresses midlife women feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to fix and manage everything alone. She offers insight into how hyper-independence and the fear of abandonment can contribute to burnout and midlife struggles—and most importantly, how self-love can help rewrite these patterns.Key Topics:The emotional toll of hyper-independence in midlife womenThe neurochemistry of pursuit and addiction to dopamine hitsChildhood experiences shaping adult patterns of fixing and pleasingRecognizing and interrupting the spiral of justification and validationThe importance of self-love as an antidote to burnout and scarcity mindsetHow fear of abandonment fuels hyper-independencePractical steps to love yourself through mistakes and vulnerabilitiesMoving away from rescuing everyone and focusing on personal peaceTimestamps:00:00 - Addressing hyper-independent women in midlife02:09 - The neurochemical roots of pursuit and addiction to dopamine03:34 - How the chase reinforces the cycle of burnout04:33 - Personal stories of controlling or fixing others05:58 - Childhood patterns influencing adult need for approval06:53 - Recognizing the spiral of justifying and validating08:22 - The pain of not being liked or validated09:04 - The risks of over-investment in work and relationships10:30 - How derailments in pursuit reveal deeper patterns11:56 - The spiral of self-justification in times of stress13:20 - The link between childhood chaos and adult control issues14:19 - Self-love as the key to breaking free from cycles16:41 - The importance of loving yourself despite mistakes19:34 - Understanding the fear of rejection and scarcity mindset20:03 - Letting go of blame and the need for approval21:01 - Managing relationships without spiraling into chaos22:24 - Embracing age and experience for self-compassion23:21 - The power of loving your story, including dysfunction24:19 - Sharing this message with other midlife women25:17 - Letting go of the cycle of justification and abandonment fears26:15 - Finding peace and building inner self-worthResources & Links: Connect with Dr. Natalie:Website https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com⁠⁠ Facebook facebook.com/learntoloveyourstoryInstagram instagram.com/dr.nataliemarrLinked In linkedin.com/in/natalie-m-marr-psy-d-lp-6a9298147Tik Tok tiktok.com/@doc.natalieDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and video is not a replacement for therapy and is not clinical, medical, or mental health treatment. Dr. Natalie Marr is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota. Her work with ⁠⁠(⁠https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com⁠⁠⁠⁠)⁠, ⁠(⁠⁠⁠⁠https://NatalieMarrCounseling.com⁠⁠⁠),⁠ and all affiliate social media entities is educational and coaching based ONLY. She IS NOT offering therapeutic services of any kind on these mediums. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please use the following crisis resources (this is not an exhaustive list of available resources):National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠ CALL 988Crisis Text Line: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.crisistextline.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Text HOME to 741741
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • The Great Unlearning: Reclaiming Self-Worth in Midlife

    The Great Unlearning: Reclaiming Self-Worth in Midlife
    Jan 22 2026

    Summary

    In this episode, Dr. Natalie explores the concept of 'The Great Unlearning,' a transformative journey that challenges the societal belief that doing everything right leads to a fulfilling life. She reflects on her personal experiences, particularly during midlife, where she realized that striving for perfection and external validation often leads to burnout and disillusionment. Dr. Natalie emphasizes the importance of self-worth and the need to reclaim it from within, rather than through external achievements or approval. Through poignant anecdotes, she illustrates how the pressure to conform to societal expectations can lead to a double life and emotional turmoil, ultimately advocating for a shift towards self-love and acceptance.


    Dr. Natalie introduces the metaphor of the tugboat versus the lighthouse to illustrate the difference between exhausting oneself in the pursuit of perfection and standing firm in one's self-worth. She encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, identifying where they may be sacrificing their well-being in the name of doing everything right. The episode serves as a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes from within, and that midlife can be an opportunity for profound personal growth and self-discovery.



    Keywords:

    midlife, self-worth, personal growth, self-love, great unlearning, emotional well-being, tugboat lighthouse metaphor, reclaiming self-worth, Dr. Natalie



    Takeaways:

    • The version of you that you're most proud of may be blocking your actual life.
    • Midlife can be an invitation to examine the mess of our lives and love it as it is.
    • Reclaiming self-worth from the inside out is essential for true fulfillment.


    Sound bites:

    "What if I told you that the version of you that you're most proud of... is in the way of your actual life?"

    "Today we're gonna talk about the great unlearning."

    "You do not need to fix yourself. You just need to find yourself."


    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction to The Great Unlearning

    03:49 A Holiday Dinner Reflection

    10:20 The Tugboat vs. The Lighthouse

    18:10 The Power of Self-Love

    23:39 Reflecting on Your Journey

    JOIN the https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com⁠⁠ Mailing List! Join my newsletter and receive my FREE video and workbook, “Freeing Yourself: A Guide for Letting Go of Other People's Opinions”


    SIGN UP on the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/762561/109840834025752017/share⁠⁠⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and video is not a replacement for therapy and is not clinical, medical, or mental health treatment. Dr. Natalie Marr is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Minnesota. Her work with ⁠⁠(⁠https://LearnToLoveYourStory.com⁠⁠⁠⁠)⁠, ⁠(⁠⁠⁠⁠https://NatalieMarrCounseling.com⁠⁠⁠),⁠ and all affiliate social media entities is educational and coaching based ONLY. She IS NOT offering therapeutic services of any kind on these mediums. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please use the following crisis resources (this is not an exhaustive list of available resources): National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠

    CALL 988Crisis Text Line: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.crisistextline.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠Text HOME to 741741
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Midlife Challenge - How Not to Kill Someone This Holiday Season

    Midlife Challenge - How Not to Kill Someone This Holiday Season
    Dec 3 2025

    Summary


    In this conversation, Dr. Natalie explores the emotional challenges faced by women in midlife during the holiday season, particularly in relation to hormonal changes and the pressures of self-care. She discusses the impact of menopause on emotional well-being and the importance of self-compassion as women navigate these changes. The conversation emphasizes the need for community support and acceptance of one's evolving identity during this transitional phase of life.


    Takeaways

    • The holiday season can amplify feelings of irritability and self-focus in midlife women.
    • Hormonal changes during menopause significantly affect emotional well-being.
    • Women often prioritize others' needs over their own, leading to burnout.
    • It's important to give oneself grace and acknowledge limitations during the holidays.
    • Self-compassion is crucial for navigating midlife transitions.
    • Emotional awareness shifts during menopause, leading to a more egocentric perspective.
    • Accepting the current version of oneself is key to personal growth.
    • Building self-awareness is essential for overcoming harmful habits.
    • Community support can alleviate feelings of isolation during midlife.
    • Midlife can be a time of significant personal growth and transformation.

    Keywords: midlife, menopause, holiday stress, self-care, emotional well-being, hormonal changes, self-compassion, personal growth, women empowerment, mental health


    Sound bites


    "We want the routine to be the same."

    "It's okay to give yourself grace."

    "You really aren't alone in this."


    Chapters


    00:00 Navigating Holiday Emotions in Midlife

    09:45 Understanding Brain Changes During Midlife

    17:38 Embracing Self-Compassion and Growth in Midlife
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.