This week we dive into a role-played lifestyle coaching session with Lauren Hayes, exploring the rollercoaster of emotions that come with navigating lifestyle choices. From emotional sovereignty to the challenges of lifestyle compromises, Lauren guides us through the complexities of managing feelings like joy, sadness, and jealousy. We discuss the power of “parts work,” drawing parallels to the movie Inside Out, to understand how our inner characters shape our experiences. Lauren’s insights on using “I felt when” statements instead of “you made me feel” offer a fresh perspective on emotional communication, while her recommendation to revisit rules and boundaries before dating separately provides practical tools for smoother transitions. Though this session was a blend of real issues we’ve heard from others, the role-play format kept things light, don’t worry, we’re not actual role-players! 😄 The episode wraps up with a nod to transformative retreats, leaving us eager for more sessions on navigating these emotional transitions.

We also unpack the courage and consideration it takes to confront unhealthy patterns in our lifestyles, spotlighting how the lifestyle has taught us to unlearn deeply ingrained beliefs from religious upbringings and societal programming. Lauren highlights the importance of check-in styles, whether it’s lying in bed together, holding hands, or even taking a break mid-conversation, and how these practices can make or break emotional connections. While the session ended smoother than reality often does, we touch on the raw challenge of defining a bad experience as just that: bad. We even ponder what a Catholic Inside Out character might look like and whether parts work could help us retell our stories with fresh clarity. This episode is packed with thought-provoking moments, practical advice, and a reminder that lifestyle dilemmas require ongoing reflection and boundary-setting to keep the journey fulfilling.

You can find Lauren Hayes at www.swinginglifestlyecoach.com

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After a fun group dinner, the Mardi Gras party cranked things up before a steamy playroom experience with a Michigan couple turned up the heat even more.