This week, Laura shares what to do when you're having one of those days—the kind where nothing feels right, and even getting out of bed feels like a win.
She opens up about her own go-to comfort routine (think cozy sweatpants, takeout, and favorite rewatch shows) and invites listeners to rethink what it means to care for themselves during low moments. Instead of pushing through or pretending to be fine, Laura explores the power of softening into those days—with compassion, nervous system regulation, and tiny rituals that ground us.

She also offers practical tools for building your own self-care toolkit, leaning on your support system, and finding meaning in hard moments through reflection and connection. This episode is both gentle and empowering—a reminder that rest is productive, and low days don’t mean you're failing.

Timestamps
00:00 – 00:10 Welcome and Introduction
00:10 – 00:31 Comfort Routines That Actually Help
00:31 – 01:02 Why You Should Embrace (Not Fight) Low Days
01:02 – 01:48 How the Nervous System Plays a Role
01:48 – 02:05 Building Support Systems You Can Rely On
02:05 – 02:34 Making Meaning From Tough Moments
02:34 – 03:10 Final Words of Encouragement

Stay Connected:
📩 Got a question or story for the show? Submit it here: bit.ly/safespace-questions
📱 Follow Laura on Instagram for daily reflections and behind-the-scenes: @lauracaruso.therapy
🔗 More episodes, resources, and therapy tools: www.lauracaruso.com

This week, Laura breaks down a myth that keeps many of us stuck: the idea that real love should be effortless. She unpacks the cultural narrative that love should just “flow”—and explains why that belief can lead us to walk away too soon, or stay in dynamics that feel wrong for the wrong reasons. Laura explores the difference between healthy effort and emotional struggle, reminding listeners that while relationships do take work, they shouldn’t feel like constant uphill battles.

Through reflections on communication, compromise, and emotional safety, she offers tools for navigating the messiness of love without losing connection or self-worth. This episode is a reminder that ease in relationships doesn’t mean perfection—it means alignment, respect, and a shared willingness to grow.

Timestamps

00:00 – 00:05 Welcome and Introduction

00:05 – 01:02 Debunking the “Effortless Love” Myth

01:02 – 01:45 Effort vs. Struggle: What’s the Difference? 01:45 – 02:18 What Healthy Effort Actually Looks Like

02:18 – 02:51 Finding Ease Without Avoidance

02:51 – 03:30 Final Thoughts on Love That Lasts

Stay Connected: 📩 Got a question or story for the show? Submit it here: bit.ly/safespace-questions

📱 Follow Laura on Instagram for daily reflections and behind-the-scenes: @lauracaruso.therapy

🔗 More episodes, resources, and therapy tools: www.lauracaruso.com

This week, Laura unpacks a hidden relationship pattern that often gets praised but can quietly cause disconnection: hyper independence.
She answers a listener’s question about why it’s so hard to let others in—and why we often default to “doing it all ourselves.” Laura explores how hyper independence can be a protective response rooted in past experiences with unreliable caregivers or chaotic environments. While self-reliance is a strength, Laura explains when it becomes a wall that blocks intimacy, trust, and reciprocity.

She dives into how therapy can help untangle these patterns, the difference between healthy boundaries and emotional avoidance, and what it really means to be in a relationship built on mutual support.
Finally, Laura encourages listeners to reflect with self-compassion and take gentle steps toward safer, more connected relationships.

Timestamps
00:00 – 00:12 Welcome and Introduction
00:12 – 00:48 What Is Hyper Independence?
00:48 – 01:31 Where It Comes From
01:31 – 01:46 Building Awareness in Therapy
01:46 – 02:43 Boundaries vs. Walls
02:43 – 03:17 Relearning Trust and Mutual Support
03:17 – 03:44 Final Thoughts and Reflection

Stay Connected:
📩 Got a question or story for the show? Submit it here: bit.ly/safespace-questions
📱 Follow Laura on Instagram for daily reflections and behind-the-scenes: @lauracaruso.therapy
🔗 More episodes, resources, and therapy tools: www.lauracaruso.com