🎧 Self-care isn’t a vibe. It’s a practice—and it’s time to get real about it.

In this powerful kickoff to the new series on Medium Lady Talks: Summer of Real Rest, Erin unpacks the uncomfortable truth about modern self-care: we’re spending our time, money, and attention in all the wrong places.

If you’ve ever wondered why journaling, green smoothies, or a perfectly lit bath still leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed—you’re not alone. In Episode 142, Erin shares the self-care advice she’d give if she wasn’t worried about hurting your feelings.

✨ You’ll learn:

• The difference between dopamine-driven habits and sustainable self-care
• Why rest that actually restores you won’t go viral—and that’s the point
• How to spot the real cost of your “wellness” routines
• What it means to stop outsourcing your peace and start reclaiming your attention

This isn’t a makeover or a challenge. It’s an invitation to slow down, soften, and ground yourself in practices that build resilience—like bedtime, boundaries, and real journaling.

If you’re ready for a summer that nourishes instead of depletes, you’re in the right place.

🛏️ Stay tuned for upcoming episodes in the Summer of Real Rest series—each one offering mindful, manageable shifts that support your nervous system and reconnect you with yourself.

💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share

What if your nervous system didn’t believe it was safe to want something just for you?

In Episode 138 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin is joined by life coach Cecelia Mandryk (@ceceliabmandryk) to continue our series on How to Take Care of Yourself. Together, they explore the difference between dopamine-driven quick fixes and the courageous work of sustained self-care. Cecelia offers powerful tools and reframes that help high-functioning people make their minds a calmer, safer place to be.

Erin and Cecelia talk about:

• Why identifying what YOU want can feel threatening when you've learned to meet everyone else's expectations

• How our culture of outrage keeps us stuck—and how to move from reactivity to empowered action

• A step-by-step walk-through of tending to your nervous system when you're feeling overwhelmed or angry

• The magic of nervous system regulation (even when your brain tells you it won’t work)

• Why the actions you take from empowerment might look the same as outrage-driven ones—but feel completely different

✨ “You can’t choose something better until you know what you’re choosing.” — this quote from Cecelia hit me hard and stayed with me.

You’ll also hear:

• A grounded reminder from Walt Whitman that it’s okay to be a contradiction

• My frustration with the way self-care has been co-opted by consumerism—and how Cecelia helped me reframe that into compassion

• A call to reclaim self-care as simple, nourishing, and deeply powerful

This is a conversation for anyone feeling burned out, stuck in rage or fear, or unsure how to move forward without losing themselves.

🔗 Connect with Cecelia:

• Instagram: @ceceliabmandryk

• Website, mini-course + coaching: ceceliabaummandryk.com

🎧 Listen in, take a deep breath, and remember—you don’t have to fix everything to feel more powerful. You just have to start with you.

Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon.

Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.

The series starts here! Episode 131: Why is Taking Care of Yourself So Hard?

Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!

Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):

Episode 132: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #1 - Say YES to Help

Episode 133: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #2 - Name your Needs

Episode 134: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #3 - Stay Curious

Episode 135: How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #4 - Celebrate Yourself

Episode 136: How to Take Care of Yourself Insight # 5 - Take Your Meds

Episode 137: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #6 - Make Time for Art

Medium Lady Reads Episode 40 - Wonderful Publishers Behind Wonderful Authors

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady
• Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady
• Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com
• Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
• Instagram: @mediumladyreads

This episode originally aired April 10, 2024. Enjoy Episode 98 of Medium Lady Talks!

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Welcome back, listeners! Today I’m solo on mic exploring a question that's inspired by a text chat I had with a friend: "Is your burnout preventable?" If you've ever found yourself plagued with exhaustion, resentful of all the things out of your control, and down the path to truly crippling physiological symptoms, this episode is for you.

Summary:

In this episode, we’ll think critically about burnout, examining it from different angles. I’ll reflect on a recent conversation with a friend and grapple with the question of whether burnout is inevitable or something we can fend off. We’ll dissect burnout from three perspectives: "no," "maybe," and "yes," navigating through the complexities of stress management and self-care.

Remember that burnout isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. It's about tuning into ourselves, understanding our triggers, and embracing the belief that we have the power to steer clear of burnout's stormy seas. Whether you're a firm believer in prevention or still on the fence, know that you're not alone in this journey. Reach out, seek support, and let's navigate through the waves together.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

- Kristin Neff's book: "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself" - Find more resources at self-compassion.org.

Episodes Referenced:

- "Gentle Goal Setting for Burnt Out Millennials and Mothers" (Episode 62)

- "Effort Energy and Connection with Siobhan France" (Episode 49)

- "How to be a Human with a Voice" (Episode 74)

- "The Identity Revolution: Why I Plan My Free Time Each Month and You Should Too" (Episode 82)

- "Is Friendship a Type of Self Care?" (Episode 68)

- "8 Ways to Make Better Decisions as a Couple" (Episode 60)

- "Is Your Self-Care Helpful or Harmful?" (Episode 83)

- "Medium Lady Talks about Parenting on a Bad Day" (Episode 10)

- "Medium Lady Talks about Lowering the Bar" (Episode 11)

- "Financial Self-Care with Lianne Hannaway" (Episode 53)

- "Finding Calm in the Life You Already Have with Cecelia Mandryk" (Episode 90)

- "Why We Get in the Way of Our Creativity and Self-Care" (Episode 67)

- "Medium Lady Talks about Doing Less with Tracy Stanger"

- "Everyday Manifesting" with guest Diana Alexander Rane (Episode 89)

- "My Life Changing Perspective on Having Your Best Summer Ever" (Episode 70)

Thanks for joining us on this insightful episode! Don't forget to hit subscribe and share the podcast with fellow millennial mothers. Stay tuned for more episodes packed with wisdom, laughter, and heartfelt conversations. Until next time, don’t forget, you’re doing such a good job.

Join my Gratitude Coaching Waitlist: If you're ready to build the place in the world made for you and develop the skills to experience authentic joy and gratitude, sign up for our gratitude coaching waitlist. This is a new service I’m offering, and will be a low/no cost option while we grow and learn from eachother.

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady
• Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com
• Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
• Instagram: @mediumladyreads