As the year comes to a close, so many of us fall into the silent spiral — comparing ourselves, questioning our progress, and feeling like we’ve somehow “failed behind.” In this episode, we get honest about the pressure that builds in the final months of the year and the way trauma can intensify self-criticism, urgency, and shame. We unpack the myths around productivity, the fear of not doing enough, and the emotional weight of reflecting on a year that didn’t go as planned. This is a compassionate reminder that your worth isn’t measured by checklists, timelines, or accomplishments — and you’re not failing just because you’re tired, overwhelmed, or still growing.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

The holidays can bring joy — but they can also bring pressure, guilt, and expectations. In this episode, we talk about the emotional weight of holiday obligations and how trauma, family dynamics, and people-pleasing patterns keep us stuck in traditions that drain us. We explore what it means to redefine the holidays on your own terms, honor your needs, and release the belief that you owe everyone your presence at the cost of your peace.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

For many people with trauma histories, saying “no” isn’t just uncomfortable — it feels dangerous. Especially during the holidays, when expectations and family dynamics intensify. In this episode, we dive into why setting boundaries can trigger fear, guilt, or survival responses, and how to navigate the holidays while honoring your limits. This is an honest conversation about reclaiming your voice, protecting your emotional safety, and learning that “no” is not disrespect — it’s self-preservation.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

What happens when gratitude is used against you? In this episode, we unpack the dark side of “be grateful” culture — when people use gratitude to silence your pain, dismiss your needs, or guilt you out of wanting more. We explore how trauma survivors often internalize this pressure, confusing gratitude with self-abandonment. This conversation sheds light on how to reclaim gratitude in a healthy way, without shrinking, settling, or staying in situations that harm you.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

Life doesn’t magically get neat and orderly just because we’re healing — it stays messy, confusing, beautifully imperfect. In this episode, we explore how gratitude can coexist with struggle, how you can hold appreciation even when everything isn’t fixed, and why gratitude has nothing to do with perfection. It’s about presence, honesty, and noticing what’s still good even in the middle of the chaos. This is a grounding conversation for anyone learning to live in the “both/and”: a messy life and a grateful heart.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

No one really teaches us how to be adults — especially when childhood was about survival, not stability. In this episode, we break down what “adulting” looks like through a trauma-informed lens: learning to self-regulate, set boundaries, manage responsibilities, and care for yourself in ways you were never shown. We talk about the guilt, confusion, and growing pains that come with reparenting yourself and building a life that feels safe, grounded, and truly yours.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

Trauma changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world. In this episode, we explore what it means to live — and heal — through a trauma lens. From hypervigilance to self-blame, we unpack how past wounds shape present perspectives and reactions. Together, we look at how to recognize when your trauma lens is distorting reality, how to ground yourself in the present, and what it takes to begin seeing life through clarity instead of survival.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.

In this episode, we explore how the mind can create both peace and pain — how “heaven and hell” are not just spiritual concepts, but internal realities shaped by our experiences and unhealed trauma. We talk about the ways our thoughts, memories, and beliefs can keep us trapped in cycles of fear, shame, or self-doubt, and how awareness and compassion can open the door to inner freedom. This episode invites listeners to look inward, challenge old narratives, and begin creating a mental space that feels more like heaven — even after living through personal hells.

Thank you for tuning in to Unpacking Me! We appreciate each and every one of our listeners. Your presence in our community is truly valued, and we're grateful for each and every listener.

If today's episode resonated with you, consider taking a moment to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback is an essential part of our journey, and we appreciate the support!

For those seeking a Therapist in the Broward County, FL area, explore the services at www.dare2emerge.com.