The Baggage Reclaim Sessions

While it isn't a new issue, disappointment about online interactions not blossoming into something bigger and better in real life seems to have been heightened by the pandemic, thanks to it limiting our social interactions. Natalie talks about the importance of managing our imagination and expectations so that we don't end up falling for a hologram or setting ourselves up for a fall. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

To celebrate the 200th episode of the podcast (yay!), Natalie sits down for a chat with her very first guest (and the one who came up with the idea for the show!), her husband, Em. Using questions from listeners, they give a little insight into their relationship, including how they met, how they knew they were each other's 'one', and overcoming conflict. **Please note**: This episode was recorded differently to other episodes due to needing to record another person. Thanks to the t'internet, there's a few times where the sound dips, but it's otherwise good! Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

Natalie talks about why no isn't a dirty word and how it leads to saying yes to more of the people, things and opportunities that reflect who you really are. How To Say No: The Scripts Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

A look at the idealised self and how chasing a perfect image creates self-pressure and guilt. Uses lockdown productivity trends and personal running stories to show perfectionism in daily life. Examines childhood roots, competitive drives, and the physical toll of relentless standards. Offers ways to spot the gap between who we are and who we try to be.

Ignoring or dismissing warning signs about a person or situation means that we ignore and dismiss ourselves. Natalie explains how categorising 'red flags' as code amber and red alerts help us to get grounded and acknowledge whether we're going against ourselves, ignoring incompatibility, or are in danger. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

Sometimes we take things so personally that it derails us. We feel stuck in shame, rejection, rumination and resentment, and we might behave in ways that don't reflect who we are in the main. Natalie talks about why this happens and how to break the habit. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

Sometimes, how we feel on the inside doesn't match what we're doing on the outside. We act what we think is 'nice' as a way to suppress and repress ourselves. In other instances, we encounter someone who seems 'nice' but they cross our boundaries or we feel what we think is 'irrationally' annoyed, resentful or frustrated with them and can't put our finger on why. Natalie talks about why 'nice' can sometimes be a means of covering up anger and control. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

Natalie explains why over-giving, over-responsibility, people-pleasing, perfectionism and overthinking are forms of self-sabotage. **Please note! The podcast will go on hiatus until 11th September. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

Am I doing boundaries right? Is this an OK boundary for me to have? Natalie explains how we can use the landmarks of boundaried communication--compassion, congruency, clarity, ownership and grace--to help us see the wood for the trees and build our confidence with communicating who we are through healthier boundaries. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership

So many of us don't realise how we spend our lives doing things from a place of guilt. We think we're being noble and loving, but near-constantly feeling bad about ourselves and avoiding healthy boundaries and self-care leads to resentment and unhealthy relationships. Natalie talks about what's really going on with our perpetual guilt. Instagram | Break The Cycle Online Course | Blog | Membership