In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the quiet lies we whisper to ourselves when life gets hard.

You know the ones...

“I should be over this by now.”

“Everyone else is handling it better.”

I’ve said them, too.

I talk about why pain isn’t weakness, why time alone doesn’t magically heal us, and how comparison steals our peace.

This is about getting honest, not performative.

It’s about taking our power back from the stories that keep us stuck.

Through my own experiences—and the lessons I’ve gathered from guests over the years—I’m sharing what I know to be true:

• Healing has no timeline
• Adversity doesn’t get to write our identity
• We’re allowed to be both hurting and hopeful at the same time

Learn more about how to take care of your mental health and get tips, tools, and view links to professional support in your area: PsychologyToday.com.

If you're in the US and need someone to talk to, dial 988 for FREE mental health support.

"At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone."

Takeaways from this episode:

• Feeling pain is a sign of strength, not failure.

• Time doesn’t heal—intentional healing does.

• Social media is a highlight reel, not a mirror.

• There’s no finish line for healing. It’s not a race.

• Adversity may shape me, but it doesn’t define me.

• Naming my struggle is a brave step toward healing.

• True healing means facing my emotions, not avoiding them.

• I often hide my struggles—so comparing myself to others is misleading.

• I can have faith in my growth, even when it’s messy.

• I get to choose how I relate to my past—it doesn’t own me.