What if you could eat a dessert without shame? What if your perceived failures were actually gateways to deeper understanding? Join me in this vulnerable solo episode where I share my four-month journey since committing to a year without desserts and daily outdoor meditation.
When life's stresses triggered a dessert "relapse," I discovered something powerful: the opportunity to practice eating without shame. Drawing wisdom from dopamine expert Anna Lemke, I learned that our brains sometimes override rational thought to achieve homeostasis during stress. The real growth came not from perfect adherence to my original goal, but from breaking the shame cycle that would typically follow a perceived failure.
My meditation practice similarly evolved from rigid rules to a more fluid approach—sometimes guided, sometimes silent, sometimes while walking or eating. A Buddhist monk's wisdom reminds us that you can't be "bad" at meditation because it's simply about observing thoughts as they arise. The practice isn't about emptying your mind but noticing when it wanders.
The most profound revelations came through therapy, where I finally understood my ADHD patterns and identified my tendency as a Rebel in Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies framework. This explained why I've resisted expectations my entire life unless they made personal sense to me. From childhood defiance of drinking "overnight water" to questioning societal "shoulds" about marriage and career, this pattern has shaped my choices—sometimes to my benefit, sometimes not.
Remember: your outer world always responds to your inner energetic blueprint. As we release shame and understand our natural tendencies, we create space for authentic growth and connection. I'm grateful for every listener who's joined this journey, especially those who've reached out and even become meditation partners. Your presence matters more than you know.
0:00 Podcast Introduction and Gratitude
1:41 Sweet Surrender Update
4:05 Practicing Eating Without Shame
7:20 Meditation Journey and New Insights
10:08 Chicago Trip and Scarcity Mindset
12:14 ADHD Realization and Letting Go
14:01 The Four Tendencies Framework
18:42 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
