Five Year You

Episode Overview:

In this episode of 5 Year You, Andrew and Catherine tackle the deeply personal and universal topic of self-worth. They discuss the pervasive feeling of “not being good enough” that so many people experience, particularly in high-achievement cultures. The hosts reflect on how upbringing, societal pressures, and personal expectations often feed into this feeling and share insights on how to counteract it with self-compassion. This conversation offers practical steps for building a more positive relationship with yourself, embracing self-worth, and learning to be “good enough” in a world that often tells us otherwise.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Roots of Feeling "Not Good Enough": Andrew and Catherine share their personal experiences with self-doubt and how societal pressures can perpetuate this feeling.
• Parenting and Self-Worth: Catherine discusses her approach to instilling self-worth in her children, emphasizing effort over results to prevent linking achievement with worth.
• Breaking the Cycle of Overachievement: Andrew and Catherine reflect on how being workaholics and perfectionists has impacted their lives and led them to reframe their approach to success.
• Social Media and Comparison: Catherine shares tips on curating your social media feed to avoid triggers of self-doubt and focus on accounts that inspire personal growth.
• Creating Self-Affirming Habits: Practical advice on fostering habits that reinforce self-worth, such as acknowledging small wins and treating yourself with kindness.

Actionable Steps for Listeners:

1. Unfollow Negative Influences: Curate your social media feed to eliminate accounts that make you feel inadequate and replace them with content that promotes self-love and positivity.
2. Acknowledge Small Wins: Make it a habit to recognize and celebrate even minor accomplishments, helping to build a more positive self-view.
3. Prioritize Self-Care Over Productivity: Shift focus from constant achievement to self-care activities, like resting when needed and embracing activities that bring joy.
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Choose friends, media, and activities that uplift you and remind you of your inherent worth.

Quotes:

Catherine’s Aha Moments:

• "You were born worthy, and nothing you do or don’t do changes that."
• "Self-worth isn’t about what you accomplish; it’s about embracing who you are, flaws and all."
• "When you feel not enough, it’s often because you’re measuring yourself by someone else’s yardstick."
• "The path to feeling good enough starts with quieting the outside noise and listening to your own voice."
• "Social media should be a place of inspiration, not comparison. Follow people who lift you up, not make you feel small."

Andrew’s Aha Moments:

• "Feeling good enough starts with how you treat yourself and recognizing the value in who you are, not just in what you achieve."
• "Success isn’t a measure of worth—it’s simply one part of the journey to being your authentic self."
• "When you prioritize self-care over productivity, you’re telling yourself, ‘I matter beyond what I can do for others.’"
• "The constant need to prove ourselves keeps us from appreciating who we already are."
• "Every time you celebrate a small win, you’re rewiring your mind to see that you are, and always have been, enough."

Glimmers of the Week:

• Catherine: Discovered a new gluten-free bakery with delicious treats that bring joy to her and make her feel great about nourishing herself.
• Andrew: Celebrated going an entire Halloween season without candy, proving to himself that he can make choices aligned with his health goals.

Resources Mentioned:

• Scarcity Brain – Book recommended by Andrew that discusses the psychological effects of scarcity and overconsumption. This is an affiliate link and the creators may receive compensation if you purchase using this link.

Connect with Us:

• Visit Five Year You to sign up for emails from your future self and start building a life where you feel “good enough” every day.
• Follow us on Instagram @fiveyearyou.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical or emotional concerns.

Thank you for joining us! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need a reminder that they are, indeed, good enough. See you next time!

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In this episode of 5 Year You, Andrew and Catherine dive into the anxiety of always feeling behind in life—whether it's being late to a meeting or feeling like you're falling behind on major life milestones. They share their own stressful morning experiences and discuss the deeper issue of comparing ourselves to others and societal expectations. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of self-compassion, patience, and embracing the fact that we are all on our own unique timelines.

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• The Anxiety of Being Late: Andrew and Catherine talk about their personal frustrations with being late and how societal pressure adds to this anxiety.
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• Feeling Behind in Life: They explore the broader concept of feeling late in life, comparing your progress to others, and the stress of not meeting societal expectations.
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• Embracing Your Own Timeline: Catherine and Andrew share how to let go of the invisible "life checklist" and recognize that everyone’s path is unique.
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• Self-Compassion and Humility: They talk about the importance of showing yourself kindness and practicing humility when things don't go as planned.
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• Turning Stress into Compassion: Andrew discusses how moments of stress, like running late, can serve as opportunities to practice compassion for ourselves and others.
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3. Practice Self-Compassion: When you find yourself running late or feeling behind, be kind to yourself instead of self-critical. You’re doing your best.
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7. Flip the Script on Being Late: Shift your mindset to recognize that sometimes things happen outside of your control. Compassion toward yourself and others is key.
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11. Embrace Your Unique Timeline: Stop comparing yourself to others and trust that you are exactly where you're meant to be in life, at the right time.
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15. Create Your Own Traditions: Let go of societal pressures to follow established traditions. Make your own path, whether it’s how you celebrate holidays or how you choose to live your life.
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• "You're not late. You're exactly where you're supposed to be." – Catherine Collins
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• "A tradition is just something somebody else started a long time ago. You can start your own traditions whenever you want." – Andrew Dewar
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• Catherine: Excited about her new thrift store find—a hot pink V-neck sweater that fits perfectly and still had the tags on.
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• Andrew: Enjoyed Canadian Thanksgiving by breaking away from traditional expectations and taking his kids to a funny movie, shopping, and having a meaningful dinner conversation.
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• Feeling Wheel – A helpful tool for identifying and processing emotions.
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• Visit Five Year You to sign up for emails from your future self and take control of your timeline today.
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• Follow us on Instagram @fiveyearyou.
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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical or emotional concerns.

In this episode, Andrew and Catherine tackle a common challenge—needing permission. Whether it’s waiting for approval to rest, to buy something for yourself, or to pursue a new goal, many of us feel like we need someone else’s okay to live the life we want. The hosts dig deep into why we feel this way, how it’s tied to worthiness, and how we can begin to give ourselves permission to live on our own terms. Filled with relatable stories, practical advice, and a healthy dose of humor, this episode is about empowering you to step into your own life.

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• The Roots of Needing Permission: How childhood conditioning and societal expectations play into our adult lives, creating the habit of seeking external approval.
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• The Role of Worthiness: The hosts explore how needing permission is often a reflection of feeling unworthy or undeserving of the things we want.
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• Permission to Rest and Care for Yourself: Catherine shares her struggle with feeling like she needs approval to take a break or do something for herself, even in her own home.
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• The Life Checklist: Andrew and Catherine discuss the societal "checklist" of life that tells us what we should be doing, and how breaking away from that can make us feel like we need validation.
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• Practical Steps for Self-Permission: Tips on how to start small by giving yourself permission for little things, building up to bigger goals, and how this ties into living a life of purpose.
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3. Start Small: Give yourself permission for simple things like taking a break, buying a small treat, or doing something you enjoy.
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7. Awareness: Begin noticing the moments when you feel like you need permission from others and ask yourself why.
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11. Affirm Your Worthiness: Remind yourself that you are worthy of good things, whether it's a snack or a big life change, without needing external validation.
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15. Journal Your Desires: Write down the things you want to do but haven’t given yourself permission for yet. Start with one and give yourself the green light.
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• Andrew: Excited about his new discovery—Siesta chips, a healthier snack made with cassava flour that’s both satisfying and good for him, especially the churro-flavored ones.
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• Catherine: Cherishing a surprise manicure and pedicure session she shared with her daughter, making for a special bonding moment.
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• Feeling Wheel – For identifying and processing emotions.
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Connect with Us:

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• Visit Five Year You to sign up for emails from your future self, and start making decisions that align with your purpose.
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• Follow us on Instagram @fiveyearyou.
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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical or emotional concerns.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who might need a little permission to live life on their own terms. See you next week!

In this episode, Andrew and Catherine dive into a profound yet relatable concept they call the "Emotional Garage." Our bodies tend to store emotions just like we store boxes in a garage, but over time, this accumulation can have detrimental effects on both our mental and physical health. The hosts share personal stories and insights about how unprocessed emotions can manifest physically, how to acknowledge and release these emotions safely, and how to maintain emotional well-being in everyday life.

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• The Emotional Garage: What it is and how we tend to store emotions rather than process them.
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• Impact on Health: How storing emotions can lead to physical ailments and emotional overwhelm.
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• Cultural Influence on Emotions: Discussing the societal conditioning, especially among men, to suppress emotions.
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• The Importance of Emotional Release: Different ways to safely express emotions, including crying, journaling, physical activity, and talk therapy.
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• Personal Stories: Andrew's personal journey of learning to face his emotions after years of avoidance, and Catherine’s insights on the emotional-physical connection, especially with her autoimmune conditions.
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• Visualizing Emotions: How personifying your emotions as "gremlins" or small creatures can help in understanding and releasing them.
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3. Identify Your Feelings: Use tools like the Feeling Wheel to name and recognize your emotions. Understanding what you are feeling is the first step to processing it.
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7. Acknowledge Your Emotions: It’s okay to feel anger, sadness, or frustration. Find a safe outlet to express these emotions, whether it's taking a walk, venting to a friend, or journaling.
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11. Talk to Someone: If you’re struggling to face your emotions, seek a safe space, whether it’s a trusted friend or professional therapist, to begin unpacking those “boxes.”
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15. Give Yourself Permission to Cry: Crying is a natural emotional release. Allow yourself to feel and let go, just like you would laugh or express joy.
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• Catherine: A new, colorful backdrop in her home office, featuring artwork from her twins, has brightened up her space and brought her joy.
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• Andrew: The incredible experience of seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which left them in awe of the spectacular stage effects.
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• "You can clean out your emotional garage one box at a time. It doesn’t have to be a spring clean." – Andrew Dewar
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• "Your emotions don’t want to be stuck inside of you. Let them out and watch how much lighter you feel." – Catherine Collins
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Resources Mentioned:

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• Feeling Wheel – A tool to help identify and name your emotions.
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• The Body Keeps the Score – A book that explores the connection between emotions and physical health.
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• Visit Five Year You to sign up for emails from your future self. Start making life changes today!
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• Follow us on Instagram @fiveyearyou
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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical or emotional concerns.

Thank you for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need it. See you next time!

Do you find yourself constantly wanting more, chasing the next big thing, and never feeling truly satisfied? If so, you’re not alone.

In this episode, we explore how discovering contentment with what you have can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life. From personal anecdotes about overconsumption and the mental weight of material possessions, to practical coaching advice on finding your authentic self, this episode is packed with insights that encourage you to pause, reflect, and appreciate your current state.

Plus, stay tuned for our glimmers segment where we share some personal highlights, including Cat’s return to therapy and Andrew’s latest tech find. Tune in and start your journey toward a more content, authentic you!

Perfection. It's something that I think a lot of us struggle with. In this episode, we will explore our deep-seeded roots of perfectionism that often dates back to our childhood, and discuss how societal pressures shape our relentless pursuit of unattainable standards.

Cat shares her personal journey of being a "recovering perfectionist" and offers a glimpse into the mindset that often drives these behaviors.

Andrew brings valuable insights into embracing our imperfections and finding self-love.

Together, we highlight the importance of creating supportive communities and discovering our true selves.

If you struggle with perfectionism or know someone who does, you won't want to miss this episode. Tune in for raw, real, and relatable advice to help you conquer perfectionism and live life on purpose. Let's get started!

Welcome back to the Five Year You Podcast, where we guide you on the journey to becoming your best self one day at a time. In today's episode, titled "Releasing Rigidity," we dive deep into the mental constructs and self-imposed rules that often hinder our personal growth and happiness.

Join us as we explore relatable examples, from the habitual ways we think about mealtime to the deep-rooted behaviors stemming from childhood. We discuss the balance between structure and flexibility, and how challenging our own rigid rules can open up pathways for new, fulfilling experiences.

Get ready to gain insights, laugh, and perhaps even rethink the way you approach daily life. Are you ready to grow? Let's get started!

Feeling stuck in a rut or bogged down by negative thoughts? Fear not—we are here to unpack the importance of small, consistent mindset shifts and how they can lead to profound personal growth over time.

Tune in as we discuss practical tips, share relatable examples, and even delve into the complexities of long-held beliefs about money, self-worth, and more.

Whether it's improving how you view your body, your parenting, or even your financial outlook, this episode promises to be raw, real, and incredibly valuable for anyone looking to become the best version of themselves. Ready to shift gears and grow with us?

Let's get started!