You don't have to fix everything you're feeling. You just have to stop treating it like a problem.

Have you ever stood in a vet's office doing math on whether you can afford this, while somewhere in the back of your mind you're also thinking about the moving boxes, the email you've been avoiding, and the bill that showed up out of nowhere?

None of it is catastrophic on its own. All of it, at once, can feel like your whole life has become something you're failing to solve.

In this episode, Sandy explores three ways we tend to relate to overwhelm: resistance, attachment, and presence. She unpacks the difference between saying "I am anxious" and "I'm experiencing anxiety," and why that small language shift creates real space between who you are and what you're moving through.

Sandy also touches on how even relentless positive reframing (a pattern common in Enneagram Type 7 energy) can be its own form of resistance - it's just wearing a nicer outfit.

In this episode:

If you've ever felt like everything was happening at once and had no idea where to even start, this episode offers a different question to ask instead of "how do I fix this."

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Connect with me at SwansonCoaching.com

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feeling overwhelmed, how to stop feeling overwhelmed, overwhelmed by everything, how to deal with everything at once, why does everything feel like too much, overwhelm and anxiety, nervous system overwhelm, coping with stress, letting go of control, presence and mindfulness, emotional resistance, this too shall pass, self-trust, Enneagram Type 7, personal development podcast, life coach podcast, holistic coaching, emotional language, nonattachment, Beyond the Type, Sandy Swanson, SwansonCoaching

Why good coaching isn't about giving advice or fixing you.

A lot of people think coaching is about getting advice, setting goals, or having someone hold you accountable. While those things can be part of the process, real coaching goes much deeper.

In this episode, Sandy explains what coaching looks like from the inside. She talks about what happens during a coaching session, why she doesn't spend time telling clients what they should do, how coaching differs from therapy and from talking with a good friend, and why self-awareness is often the starting point for lasting change.

You'll also hear why Sandy describes her coaching as holistic, how she use the Enneagram as a tool for understanding patterns rather than labeling people, and what makes coaching such a powerful space for reconnecting with your own voice.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're thinking about hiring a coach, you're simply curious about the process, or you've wondered what all the fuss is about, this conversation gives you a clearer picture of what coaching really is, and whether it might be the right next step for you.

If you'd like to learn more about working with me, visit swansoncoaching.com and click the "Work With Me" button.

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Three practices to quiet your mind and build self-trust.

Have you ever tried to think your way out of something that was never actually solvable? Maybe it's when a coworker is annoyed with you, or whether an email landed the way you meant it to, or how a future conversation is going to go..?

In part two of this two-part series on overthinking, Sandy picks up where part one left off.  The first episode was about understanding why we overthink; this one is about what to actually do about it.

Using a story about driving home on a dark back road (and the two hundred feet of visibility her headlights actually gave her), Sandy walks through three practices for interrupting an overthinking loop when it starts. She borrows a concept from Designing Your Life author Dave Evans to help listeners tell the difference between a solvable problem and a "gravity problem," and introduces a simple way to shrink an overwhelming decision down to its smallest next step.

Sandy also explores the connection between the Enneagram's Head, Heart, and Body Centers of Intelligence, and why some emotions aren't asking to be solved at all, but simply acknowledged and felt.

She also gets honest about what happens when none of it works, and why sometimes what's underneath the overthinking isn't fear at all, but grief asking to be felt instead of solved.

In this episode:

If you listened to part one and found yourself thinking "okay, now what do I actually do about overthinking," this episode is for you.

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Connect with me at SwansonCoaching.com

Previous episode: Why Do I Overthink Everything?
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149233557

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Fear, self-doubt, and why your mind keeps searching for certainty.

Do you replay conversations long after they're over? Second-guess emails you've already sent? Lie awake at night wondering if you made the right decision?

If so, you're not alone.

In this episode of Beyond the Type, Sandy Swanson explores one of the most common things she hears from coaching clients: "I overthink everything."

She unpacks why overthinking isn't a personality trait or a sign that something is wrong with you, the difference between rumination and worry, why the Head Center is constantly searching for certainty, and why more thinking rarely brings the peace we're looking for.

You'll also learn why fear disguises itself as planning, researching, and "just thinking things through," and why building self-trust, not certainty, is what finally begins to quiet an overactive mind.

In this episode:

If you've ever replayed a conversation, second-guessed a decision, or found yourself stuck in an endless loop of "what ifs," this episode is for you.

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Connect with me at SwansonCoaching.com

Podcast:  How to Stop Taking Everything Personally (discussion of negativity bias):
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149231647

Podcast:  Enneagram Passions
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149131772

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overthinking, why do I overthink everything, how to stop overthinking, rumination, worry, negativity bias, fear, self-trust, self-doubt, decision fatigue, anxiety, Enneagram, Enneagram types, Head Center, Enneagram 5, Enneagram 6, Enneagram 7, personal development podcast, life coach podcast, leadership coach, emotional reactivity, nervous system, self-awareness, holistic coaching, mental spirals, Beyond the Type, Sandy Swanson, SwansonCoaching

What your brain, your Enneagram type, and two simple practices can teach you.

 Have you ever spent hours replaying a two-word email, wondering if someone is upset with you? Or convinced yourself that one awkward conversation meant you'd done something wrong?

If you have, you're not alone.

In this episode of Beyond the Type, Sandy Swanson explores one of the most common questions she hears in coaching sessions: why do I take everything so personally? 

She unpacks why certain comments, emails, and interactions seem to lodge themselves in our minds while others pass right through, and why that has less to do with sensitivity and more to do with wiring.

Using a story from a walk through nature (complete with sticky burdock burrs and a duck that inspired an unexpected lesson), you'll discover why negative experiences seem to "stick," how the stories we tell ourselves shape our relationships, and how the Enneagram influences the kinds of comments that affect each of us differently.

You'll also learn two practical tools that can help you stop spiraling, create space between a situation and your interpretation of it, and train your brain to notice more of what's going right.

In this episode:

If you've ever found yourself replaying conversations, overthinking emails, or worrying about what other people think of you, this episode is for you.

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taking things personally, why do I take things personally, how to stop taking things personally, negativity bias, the story I'm making up, self-trust, Enneagram, Enneagram types, personal development podcast, life coach podcast, leadership coach, emotional reactivity, overthinking, rumination, gratitude practice, nervous system, boundaries, self-awareness, holistic coaching, Beyond the Type, Sandy Swanson, SwansonCoaching

Trust isn't built in one big moment. It's built in hundreds of small ones.

Trust is the foundation of every relationship, whether it's with a partner, a friend, a client, or a coworker. And it rarely disappears in one big moment.
More often, it erodes through small ones: the phone glanced at mid-conversation, the plan canceled one too many times, the reasoning that was never quite explained.
Those moments add up, and they leave people wondering: Do you care about me? Do I understand your thinking? Can I count on you?

In this episode, Sandy explores a powerful framework for understanding trust through the Enneagram's three Centers of Intelligence: heart, head, and gut.

She also shares:

Whether you're a coach, a leader, or simply someone who wants healthier relationships, this episode offers a practical way to recognize where trust starts to wobble and what to do about it.

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Frances Frei's TED talk on trust:
https://www.ted.com/talks/frances_frei_how_to_build_and_rebuild_trust

Beyond the Type Episode on Enneagram Stances:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149067197

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Are you a coach looking for support?  Check out my new small-group mentor coaching program: Patterns, Presence, and the Enneagram. NBHWC approved for 9 CEs (ICF CCEs pending approval). Learn more here:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/coaches-enneagram

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trust, building trust, rebuilding trust, trust in relationships, how to trust again, trust issues, broken trust, trust and communication, trust in coaching, coaching trust, empathy, active listening, emotional intelligence, communication skills, healthy communication, relationship communication, workplace communication, leadership communication, integrity, follow through, accountability, Enneagram, Enneagram types, Enneagram centers of intelligence, heart center, head center, gut center, personal development, self awareness, relationship advice, healthy relationships, coaching skills, life coaching, leadership development, Frances Frei, three legged stool trust, communication framework, relational trust, workplace trust, trust at work.

Career Change, Divorce, Empty Nest, Retirement, and Other Life Transitions

Life transitions come in many forms, but they often ask the same things of us: What do we take with us? What do we leave behind? What needs to be honored before we move forward? 

In this episode, Sandy shares seven questions that she uses with coaching clients who are navigating major life changes. These aren't quick fixes or silver linings wrapped in motivational quotes. They're thoughtful questions designed to help you reflect, find closure, and step into your next chapter with intention.

You'll explore:

• What you want to carry forward
• What no longer deserves a seat in the moving van
• How to honor the past without getting stuck there
• Which areas of well-being need your attention right now
• What Sheila from accounting taught us about boundaries and letting go

If you're going through a career transition, divorce, grief, an empty nest, retirement, a breakup, or any other major life change, this episode is for you.

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Beyond the Type Episode on True Self/False Self:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149215312

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Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

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Are you a coach looking for support?  Check out my new small-group mentor coaching program: Patterns, Presence, and the Enneagram. NBHWC approved for 9 CEs (ICF CCEs pending approval). Learn more here:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/coaches-enneagram

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life transitions, career change, divorce, breaking up, empty nest syndrome, retirement, grief, personal growth, life coaching, emotional well-being, navigating change, starting over, new beginnings, midlife reinvention, letting go, personal growth, self-discovery, life coaching, Enneagram, identity loss, layoff, job loss, what to do when life changes, how to start over, navigating change, beginning again, life after divorce, empty nester, career transition, midlife women, holistic life coach, personal development, emotional wellness, self-awareness, beyond the type podcast, Sandy Swanson, Swanson Coaching

Why do so many people feel guilty when they slow down, even when their body and intuition are telling them to do exactly that? 

If you've ever felt low-energy, nostalgic, or experienced "summer sadness" during the warmer months when everyone else seems to be thriving, this episode is for you.

Sandy opens with a personal story about sitting alone in her car on her birthday, feeling forgotten and weepy, listening to the radio, and letting herself be sad for a while. And how, surprisingly, that felt exactly right.

She also talks about crabs. No, not those kinds of crabs, yikes - the Cancer season kind of crabs. And what the symbolism of this time of year might have to say about why you've been feeling the way you've been feeling lately.

Sandy also brings in the Enneagram, looking at how each type's stance relates to rest, productivity, guilt, and the cultural pressure to always be building, optimizing, or becoming the next version of yourself. 

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Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

Podcast Ep - Stances:  Why You Withdraw, Talk Too Much,  or Bulldoze People
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149067197

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You've done the work. The therapy, the journaling, the coaching, maybe you've had a few real breakthroughs.

And then summer rolls around. And so does the inevitable trip home to see your family, friends, and people from your past.

And it feels like all of your hard work just goes right out the window.

Why does this always happen??!?

In this episode of Beyond the Type, Sandy answers that question, explores why outdated versions of ourselves seem to show up uninvited, and how our Enneagram type (and the types of the people we grew up with) shape that whole experience of "going home".

In this episode:

Sandy also stresses the importance of compassion - both for your family and for yourself - and why it's important to remember to pack some compassion in your suitcase when you're getting ready for that trip home.

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Beyond the Type Episode on True Self/False Self:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149215312

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Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

___

Enneagram, Enneagram types, Enneagram and family, family of origin, going home for the holidays, family triggers, family patterns, childhood patterns, personal growth, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, family dynamics, Enneagram type 1, Enneagram type 2, Enneagram type 6, Enneagram type 4, Enneagram type 5, Enneagram type 9, Enneagram type 3, Enneagram type 7, Enneagram type 8, holistic life coach, leadership coach, inner critic, people pleasing, family relationships, summer vacation, family gatherings, why do I regress around my family, nervous system regulation, self-compassion, communication skills, Beyond the Type podcast, Sandy Swanson

If you've ever felt exhausted despite doing all the "right" things, stuck between who you were in January and who you are now, or quietly haunted by a feeling you keep pushing aside — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Beyond the Type, holistic life and leadership coach Sandy Swanson invites you to do something radical: stop measuring your progress and start checking in with yourself. And June is an excellent time to do just that.

Sandy offers three powerful self-reflection questions to help you assess where your energy has actually been going, where you've felt most like yourself (and where you haven't), and what's been quietly asking for your attention that you keep putting off.

In this episode:

Consider this your permission slip to pull over, take stock, and stop dragging around goals that no longer fit — so you can travel a little lighter into the second half of the year.

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Beyond the Type Episode on True Self/False Self:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/podcasts/beyond-the-type-an-enneagram-inspired-podcast-about-being-human/episodes/2149215312

___

Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter here and receive my 9 Ways to Communicate Better guide:
https://www.swansoncoaching.com/communication

___

June check-in, midyear check-in, self-reflection, personal growth, Enneagram, life coaching, women in transition, emotional wellness, nervous system, identity, life and leadership coach, Beyond the Type podcast, Sandy Swanson, holistic coaching, Type 2 Enneagram, Type 9 Enneagram, burnout, self-awareness, setting intentions, goal setting, midlife, career transition