Hello hello — I'm Danielle Ireland, and you're catching an episode of Don't Cut Your Own Bangs, the cozy corner of the internet where we answer the timeless question: Do I really want bangs… or do I just need to talk about my feelings? (Spoiler: it's often the feelings. And also sometimes bangs. We can be multidimensional.)
In today's episode, we're talking about planting good seeds — not the aggressive "new year, new you, fix your entire personality by Tuesday" energy, but the soft, intentional, nervous-system-friendly kind of reset.
Because if January were in charge of its own PR? It would be branded as recovery + reflection + gentle reorientation, not a monthly audition for your worthiness.
We use a seed metaphor (because nature gets it), talk about rest as a generative space, and explore why the opposite of anxiety isn't necessarily calm… it might actually be creativity. I also share a very humbling moment at acupuncture where my body had a lot to say and I hadn't been listening.
Why the beginning of the year is a great time to set intentions, not punish yourself with "perfect"
Rest as resistance (and why your body is not a machine)
The surprising idea: the opposite of anxiety is creativity
Micro-rest: how to make space for yourself even in a busy life
The 4 questions that can reveal where you've lost your spark:
When did you stop dancing?
When did you stop singing?
When did you stop feeling enchanted by stories?
When did you stop sitting in stillness?
How breadcrumbs (like a screenshot of a dance class) can lead you back to yourself
A gentle reminder: you are the expert in you — advice is useful, but you're not required to outsource your inner knowing
"Plant the seed… and then leave it alone. Give it the space and grace it needs to thrive."
"Rest is a generative space. There is information for your healing in the dream space."
"The opposite of anxiety is not calm — it's creativity."
"Knowing something and doing something are not the same." (…my acupuncture appointment would like to cosign this.)
Pick one small "good seed" to plant — a tiny act of rest, wonder, play, or creativity — and let it be enough.
The Nap Ministry: https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/
Martha Beck: https://marthabeck.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DontCutYourOwnBangs
Website: https://danielleireland.com/
Children's Book: https://danielleireland.com/wrestling-a-walrus
The Treasured Journal: https://danielleireland.com/journal
Substack: https://danielleireland.substack.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontcutyourownbangspod?_t=ZP-8yFHmVNPKtq&_r=1
Email me at danielle@danielleireland.com and put "bangs" in the subject line — questions, stories, topics you want on the pod… I'm in. And yes, I really will respond.
Grab my free meditation here: https://danielleireland.com/free
If this episode felt like a deep exhale, please rate, review, and subscribe — and send it to the friend who's been treating January like a final exam. 💛
