Anxiety I’m So Done with You!

Act the Way you Want to Feel

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Description

Hi everyone, welcome to Anxiety, I’m So Done With You! I’m Dr. Jodi, your guide on this journey to empower and heal the anxious generation. Whether you're a teen, parent, or educator, I’m thrilled to have you join me. Tonight’s topic is crucial: "Act the Way You Want to Feel." There’s a lot of confusion around this idea, and I’m here to break it down. We’ll explore why this advice often feels invalidating and how to use actionable steps to shift your energy and mindset for real, lasting change. Let’s get into it!

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dr. Jodi unpacks the concept of "Act the Way You Want to Feel," a common piece of advice that can feel dismissive when you’re struggling emotionally. She emphasizes that emotional turmoil, like anxiety or sadness, is a natural human response to our environment and validates the pain that comes with it. Dr. Jodi explains how taking compassionate action is key—not just faking happiness but understanding the science behind how actions influence emotions.

Through relatable stories, research findings, and practical examples, Dr. Jodi explores how to use physical posture, smiling, and even visualization to shift your emotional state. She also shares a three-step process to help you when you’re feeling overwhelmed: compassion for yourself, stepping back for perspective, and deciding on meaningful action. By understanding the mechanics of how feelings and thoughts work together, you'll gain new tools to override negative emotions and transform your mental landscape.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Validate Your Feelings First: Compassion for yourself reduces emotional attachment and helps you move through negative feelings.
  2. Three-Step Process: Start with self-compassion, take a step back for perspective, and then decide on an empowering action.
  3. Actions Influence Feelings: Even simple actions, like smiling or changing your posture, can biologically shift your mood and reduce stress.
  4. Replace Negative Thoughts: Instead of trying to suppress worries, actively engage your mind with something positive or constructive.
  5. Motivation Follows Action: Don’t wait to feel motivated; taking action first often leads to a positive emotional shift.

Resources mentioned in this show: 

Thank you so much for listening to Anxiety, I'm So Done With You! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs inspiration or help to heal!  

ASK DR. JODI

Join me live every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern on YouTube, @doctorjodi, where you can ask your questions in real time. 

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About Dr. Jodi: 

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can find her live-streamed talk show on her YouTube channel @doctorjodi, where she discusses topics unique to Generation Z. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi

You’re listening to the Anxiety I'm So Done with You! Podcast with Doctor Jodi. 

We hope to ease the minds of “the anxious generation.” To do that, this show will guide emerging adults, their parents, and helpers, galvanizing them to release toxic stress, achieve emotional wellness, and hardwire their brains for a happy and meaningful life.

Ask Dr. Jodi Live

Do you, or does someone you love, have anxiety or ADHD? Do you struggle with motivation and worry about your future? Keep listening. 

As a psychotherapist, I have worked with young people for 28 years, and I’ve seen and understood the nuances of Generation Z from this rare perspective.

Guess what I discovered? Your brain is not broken. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. You don’t have to feel like this; you can feel better!

Tune in live every Monday at 8 PM E on @doctorjodi or binge the recordings. We’ll have relieving conversations, exciting guests, and inspirational stories that will show you how to get rid of worry, recover your energetic bandwidth, and grok a socially conscious life of overflowing joy.