In this episode of First to Thrive, Nicole sits down with Arielle Abalon, a Filipino-American artist, to talk about the powerful yet challenging act of prioritizing yourself, especially when faced with family expectations. Arielle shares a deeply personal story of navigating a difficult conversation with her dad about marriage and having kids. Instead of succumbing to societal and familial pressures, Arielle courageously sets boundaries, prioritizes her own desires, and advocates for her right to choose her own path.

Key Takeaways:

• Setting Boundaries with Family

• Not conforming to Family Expectations

• Fear and Regret Are Not Your Burdens

• Honor Yourself and Your Family by prioritizing what you truly want

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Nicole's 2-part Workshop Series: Sign up here to start prioritizing your own needs and desires, and learn how to make decisions that align with your true values. https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/workshopseries

Follow Nicole:

• Instagram: @nicolecruzcoaching

• Website: www.nicolecruz.com

• Join the book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your feedback helps us reach more people in the First to Thrive community. Thank you for tuning in!

Welcome to 2025! In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Nicole Cruz shares her journey of prioritizing herself in a season of transformative change, including writing a book that aims to serve first- and second-generation immigrant communities. Nicole explores why prioritizing yourself is essential—not just personally but for the larger collective—and how this practice signals self-worth and breaks generational patterns of self-sacrifice.

What to Expect in This Episode

• Nicole’s personal journey of prioritizing her book project and making space for what matters most.

• The challenges of putting yourself first, especially as a first- or second-generation immigrant.

• Why prioritizing yourself is more than just “self-care”—it’s a declaration of your worth.

• The connection between self-prioritization and advocating for the community in challenging times.

• Five signs that you may need to prioritize yourself more.

Key Takeaways

1. Prioritizing Yourself is Revolutionary

   • Putting your wants and needs first is not selfish—it’s a way to affirm your value and break free from harmful generational patterns of self-sacrifice.

2. The Emotional Roots of Self-Prioritization

   • Nicole discusses how guilt, shame, and cultural expectations can make prioritizing yourself feel unnatural, but it’s a practice worth embracing for long-term well-being.

3. A Vision for the Future

   • Nicole envisions her book as a well-worn, highlighted resource for immigrant descendants, guiding them to make decisions rooted in their values and desires.

4. Five Signs You Need to Prioritize Yourself More

   • Always saying yes and struggling to set boundaries.

   • Feeling stretched thin and overcommitting.

   • Neglecting personal desires and goals in favor of others’ needs.

   • Constantly seeking external validation or approval.

   • Experiencing resentment or burnout from overgiving.

5. An Invitation for 2025

   • What would it look like to live a life where your needs, desires, and values take center stage? Nicole encourages listeners to imagine and work toward this possibility in 2025.

Resources Mentioned

• Nicole’s upcoming book: Supporting immigrant descendants in shifting from proving themselves to prioritizing themselves. Join the waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

• Connect with Nicole on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates on the book and workshops. https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

Join the Conversation Have you experienced challenges in prioritizing yourself? What shifts are you hoping to make this year? Share your thoughts and stories with Nicole on social media or in the podcast community!

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If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who could benefit from prioritizing themselves in 2025.

Struggling to follow through on your goals? In this episode, Nicole Cruz breaks down why follow-through is hard, especially for 1st and 2nd Gen folks, and shares practical strategies to help you move from frustration to action.

What You'll Learn

• Why external pressure isn’t the solution and what really drives follow-through.
• How to build belief in yourself and your goals.
• The importance of finding a deeper, sustainable motivation beyond excitement.
• Practical steps to start taking consistent action today.

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

In this episode we will explore:

• Why it is important to honor our wants

• How to reconcile our wants and shoulds

• How to use body cues to differentiate your wants vs shoulds

There’s a reason why we want certain things over others. Our wants point us towards what we’re meant for. Versus our “shoulds” which tell us what others want for us or ways in which we’re supposed to live our lives. As 1st and 2nd gen immigrants, our ancestors didn’t get to honor their wants. They spent their energy surviving. They didn’t have the freedom to just do what they wanted and design their lives in a certain way. But we get to. We’re meant to.

If you want to start building a life for yourself that honors your wants vs shoulds, this episode is for you.

 

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

 

In this episode, Nicole Cruz reflects on the three key lessons she learned about herself in 2024 and how she plans to apply them in 2025. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, the need for clear direction, the challenges of balancing work and rest, and the value of believing in oneself and embracing the magic of possibilities. Through her personal experiences, she encourages listeners to learn from both their past and future selves and to approach the upcoming year with intention and belief.

 

Takeaways

• It's okay to experience confusion while seeking clarity.

• Listening to oneself can prevent extreme swings in energy.

• Embracing past experiences can provide valuable insights.

• Magic can often lead to better outcomes than logic.

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

 

In this episode of First to Thrive, Nicole Cruz guides listeners through the process of visioning for the upcoming year. She emphasizes the importance of identifying personal desires and aspirations, particularly for individuals from first and second-generation immigrant backgrounds. The conversation explores the significance of envisioning an ideal future, the challenges of overcoming fear and limiting beliefs, and practical best practices for effective visioning. The episode includes a guided visualization exercise to help listeners articulate their dreams and set the stage for actionable steps towards achieving them.

Takeaways

• Visioning is a powerful tool for self-discovery.

• Visioning is about imagining the ideal future, not setting goals.

• Realism can often limit our aspirations; aim higher.

• Being specific in visioning helps our brains problem-solve effectively.

• Your vision can evolve as you grow and change.

 

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

 

In this episode, Nicole Cruz reflects on the year 2024, encouraging listeners to take time to acknowledge their experiences, celebrate their wins, and learn from their challenges. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, gratitude, and letting go of what no longer serves us as we prepare for the new year. Through prompts and personal anecdotes, Nicole guides listeners in a thoughtful review of their year, fostering self-awareness and personal growth.

Takeaways

• Reflection helps shape our self-awareness.

• Every experience counts and is worth acknowledging.

• Celebrating wins includes recognizing personal growth.

• Self-compassion is crucial when reflecting on difficulties.

• Gratitude can shift our perspective from lack to fullness.

• Letting go of what no longer serves us is necessary for growth.

• Visioning for the future helps establish true desires.

If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a rating or review, and share it with anyone you think could benefit from these insights. 

 

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

 

In this episode, Nicole Cruz discusses the importance of prioritizing oneself during the holiday season, especially for women who often bear the burden of holiday preparations. She emphasizes the need to overcome guilt and people-pleasing tendencies, offering practical tips for self-care and boundary-setting. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace imperfection and redefine their holiday experiences to ensure enjoyment and fulfillment.

Takeaways

• Prioritizing yourself during the holidays is essential for enjoyment.

• Cultural expectations can lead to guilt and overcommitment.

• Setting boundaries early can prevent overwhelm.

• You can model self-care for others in your family.

• Reflect on what you truly want from the holiday season.

• Start small with changes to see a big impact.

If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a rating or review, and share it with anyone you think could benefit from these insights. 

Take the survey and get a free workbook to help you plan your 2025 and be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card. https://airtable.com/appS6acDcQx5oTSad/pagrp5DtaKuaNCJUn/form

 

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

 

In this episode, Nicole Cruz reflects on the post-election landscape, addressing the feelings of dread and uncertainty within marginalized communities. She emphasizes the importance of reclaiming power during challenging times, prioritizing self-care, and acknowledging emotions as valid. The conversation explores how small, consistent actions can lead to significant change and the strength found in community and collective healing. Nicole encourages listeners to draw strength from their ancestors and to recognize their inherent power, even in difficult circumstances.   Takeaways

• Feeling overwhelmed post-election is valid and shared.
• Reclaiming power is essential during uncertain times.
• Prioritizing self-care is a form of resistance.
• Focus on what you can control, not what you can't.
• Community healing strengthens collective power.
• You are powerful, even in difficult times.

  If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a rating or review, and share it with anyone you think could benefit from these insights.    Take the survey and get a free workbook to help you plan your 2025 and be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card. https://airtable.com/appS6acDcQx5oTSad/pagrp5DtaKuaNCJUn/form   Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/

In this episode, Nicole Cruz explores the common sentiment of feeling discontent despite having a seemingly 'good' life. She discusses the phrase 'it's not that bad' and how it often leads individuals to ignore their deeper wants and needs. Through personal anecdotes and insights, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's privilege and the courage it takes to pursue change. The conversation encourages listeners to confront their feelings of dissatisfaction and to embrace the journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Takeaways:

• It's common to feel unhappy even when things aren't 'bad'.

• Gratitude shouldn't silence our desires for more.

• It's okay to want more and to prioritize those wants.

• Discontent can be a sign of wanting something better.

• Privilege allows us to explore our wants without survival concerns.

• Listening to the voice of want is a courageous act.

• You have the power to change your situation.

If you found this episode helpful, please leave us a rating or review, and share it with anyone you think could benefit from these insights. 

 

Get access to my free library: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/free-resources

Sign up for my book waitlist: https://nicolecruzcoaching.com/book

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecruzcoaching/