Description:
What started as a staycation quickly turned into something deeper—a Soul Spa-a sweet slice of homemade goodness.

In this episode, I share what happened when I gave myself two weeks of intentional nurturing: daily meditation, quiet contemplation, healing sessions, writing, painting, and simple moments of presence. I talk about reconnecting with what matters most, letting my inner five-year-old play, and why tending to ourselves isn’t a luxury—it’s how we live well and find our spots of joy.

If you’re feeling scattered, worn down, or like you’ve forgotten parts of yourself, this is your reminder: you don’t have to wait until you’re empty to take care of yourself.

Tune in for a grounded, soulful reflection—and an invitation to create your own version of a Soul Spa. (You can call it what you like :))

🌀 Plus: Details on the August 10 recorded session of The Womb (focused on nurturing) and the upcoming Just Own You retreat on October 18 in Bragg Creek, AB. More details on the retreat here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/just-own-youwomens-retreat-a-time-to-reflect-reconect-and-be-restored-tickets-1507997403829?aff=oddtdtcreator

Something to consider journaling about:

• What part of you is quietly asking to be nurtured right now?
• When was the last time you did something just for you—no outcome, no expectation, just because it felt good?
• What would your version of a Soul Spa look like this week, even in a small way?
• Have some extra fun-ask your five-year-old self what they would love to do to feel nurtured?

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Finding Your Joy Spot On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuQCZ4ydBQTFM9JN7nOOFQ

Looking for some summer reading? Grab your copy of my book, Finding Your Joy Spot, Just Own You: How Joy guides you back to what matters most and the truth of who you are. ​https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Your-Joy-Spot-Unexpected/dp/0991707583

Joy in the Dark: How Small Moments Saved Me

In this episode, I reflect on what it means to find joy, not in the obvious places, but in the challenging ones.

This week marks 10 years since my son’s brain surgery, and it’s stirred something deep in me. I didn’t find joy the way many people talk about it. For me, it came in little spots—tiny moments that gave me just enough grace to get through the day.

I write about it more in my book-Finding Your Joy Spot. https://leonadevinne.com/findingyourjoyspot/

I also share the powerful H.E.A.L. method—a neuroscience-based tool that helped me let joy alleviate chronic pain.

If you’re in a tough place, this episode is a reminder that joy can still find you… even in the dark.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

H.E.A.L. Method by Dr. Rick Hanson: https://www.rickhanson.net/take-in-the-good/

📬 Want more like this in your inbox? Sign up here https://leonadevinne.com/subscribe

🎙️ Subscribe for more episodes on joy, healing, and finding your voice.

Prompts to find your own Joy Spots:

Listen to a joyful song daily

Take a photo of something joyful each day

Write down 3 joyful moments before bed

Do a random act of kindness

Compliment someone sincerely

Donate something meaningful

Text someone just to say you appreciate them

Want some journaling prompts to find or create more joy? https://leonadevinne.kit.com/1f2b09daa8

Speaking Up: A Muscle I'm Still Building

Have you ever felt that wave of nausea after sending a perfectly respectful message, only to spiral into fear that someone might be mad at you?

Yeah… me too.

In this episode, I share a moment that reminded me how deeply our childhood wiring can still influence our adult reactions—especially when it comes to using our voice. What started as a simple email exchange brought me face-to-face with my old "be a good girl" pattern, the fear of upsetting others, and the muscle I’m still learning to strengthen: speaking up.

We’re not just purely logical adults—we’re also tender systems still running on childhood algorithms. The goal isn’t to eliminate those parts of us, but to love and integrate them with compassion.

Listen to the guided meditation to connect with the younger parts of you that get triggered when you speak up and could use some love: https://media.transistor.fm/9b0d1082/5acc8ea4.mp3

If you’ve been holding back your voice or tiptoeing around your truth, this episode is for you.

✨ Listen in, then take a moment to reflect with the prompts below.
✨ You don’t have to do this alone—reach out if you’re ready for support in finding your voice.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly reflections on courage, joy, and showing up as your whole self. https://leonadevinne.com/subscribe
🌀 Because the world doesn’t benefit from you swallowing your truth. It benefits from you speaking up.

JOURNAL PROMPTS TO GO DEEPER:

1. What situations or relationships tend to trigger your "stay quiet" reflex?
   Explore recent or past moments where you held back your voice. What did you feel in your body? What were you afraid might happen?
2. What is your earliest memory of being afraid to speak up?
   Reflect on childhood experiences where you learned it might not be safe or welcome to express yourself. What messages did you internalize?
3. When was the last time you used your voice, even though it felt uncomfortable?
   Celebrate that moment. What helped you speak up? What did you learn about yourself or the outcome?
4. What part of you still believes that keeping the peace means staying silent?
   Write to that part with compassion. Let it know what’s true now, and how you’re learning to hold both truth and connection.
5. What would it look like to live more fully in your truth today?
   Describe how speaking up could benefit your relationships or leadership. What small step can you take to move toward that?

🖍 Bonus prompt:
Draw or collage a version of your younger self who felt fully alive and free. Let your inner child lead the way.

#SpeakUp #FindingYourJoySpot #Leadership #SelfCompassion #InnerChildHealing #WomensVoices #HealingJourney #AuthenticLiving