What actually holds you together when life blindsides you? Maybe it’s a breakup. A diagnosis. Or the crushing weight of everything right now.

If you’re wired for hustle, your first instinct might be to work through it—to push harder, achieve more, be exceptional. What if the answer wasn’t in doing more, but in seeing oneself as LESS? Wait, what?

Julia Baird—broadcaster, journalist, and bestselling author—gets it. She loves being hyper-productive. But when her world cracked open, she didn’t seek solace in success. Instead, she discovered the power of her shrinking self and the practice of deliberately seeking awe.

In this episode, we dive into the joys (and downsides) of hyper-productivity. We examine “the shrinking self”— and why it might be your secret weapon during tough times. We talk about the sustaining power of deep friendships, ocean swimming and dancing. You’ll also learn what Julia has recently said “ENOUGH!” to and felt better for it. You know those episodes where you take notes, read the transcript, and listen twice? This might be one of them.

0:00 Intro

3:40 Julia’s broken foot. The Guardian article on the need to be special

6:00 Julia shares that she loves being hyper-productive

10:10 Julia talks about her Calvinistic work ethic – the sense that we must contribute to the world

14:45 Julia could write during difficult times

15:30 The importance of feeling small

19:17 The shrinking self

20:44 The overview effect

23:20 If we’re too into achievement, we can experience the power of silence

25:46 Exploring what makes us strong. Julia discusses examples after her breakup

28:49 Things that “glow” in moments of darkness – like ocean swimming for Julia

30:30 Slow looking

34:54 The power of connection and female friendships

40:00 Maybe “ordinariness” is the wrong word

41:24 Julia’s powerful quote that Mandy reads out

44:50 Julia has learned a lot from people who are “broken” – she refers to Nick Cave’s music

47:28 What Julia is saying “Enough!” to, and feeling better for it

50:00 Julia’s word(s) of the year

51:10 OUTRO

Links

Julia Baird’s books: Phosphorescence; Bright Shining: How grace changes everything.

Julia Baird’s Ted talk, The Power of Feeling Small.

Julia on Instagram.

Mandy on Instagram.

Dacher Keltner’s book, Awe.

The Guardian article: Why we should stop wishing we were special – and celebrate being ordinary.