Happy Growing

It’s always about the next big move in life. It’s about the career progress, getting married, having babies, travelling to certain places and all the materialistic wishes becoming reality. But none of this is ever something on its own. There is so much more.

If you think back in time, how many first kisses, great meals, good conversation, laughs and cries and even smiles come to your mind? I’m sure there are many. And weirdly, sometimes we don’t even know why something has stuck with us and grown into such a special memory.

This episode focusses on all the seemingly small beauties of life. How they can bring you more joy and excitement for the future, and how they can even help you feel more grateful and positive about the present moment.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

With a lot of personal growth that’s been happening over the past couple of months, I’ve had a lot of understandings and insights surrounding myself that I felt I wanted to share with my past-self. And with you.

I’ve done an episode giving myself advice before, in December 2021 (Ep. 20). A lot has changed since then and at the same time, I feel like I’m getting closer to a version of me I used to be.

This episode is full of personal talk, emotional support, important reminders and proof that we are in this together. We’re all doing life together and I know that much of this episode will speak to you very directly (and kindly).

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Many of us see January as a rather depressing month. It’s still dark and cold, but the holidays have just passed and there isn’t much to look forward to. We have to adjust to the new year and there might even be pressures put on us by the capitalistic stream of ways to ‘better’ ourselves for the new year.

But there are many ways of making this month, and the following colder months, much more enjoyable, fun and a beautiful start to creating a year with many things you have never done before. It’s all about perspective and what you create.

Let’s romanticise January, let’s be the main character, let’s get cosy, slow down and experience new things. Let’s start the year the special way.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

At the beginning of a new year we are always bombarded with new ways and products and subscriptions and plans to make ourselves ‘better’. But most of it creates stress and pressure and is far off from actually improving our lives.

There are really only very few things that make your life better, and non have anything to do with trying to make you ‘better’ - because you are already amazing and unique just the way you are.

In this first episode of 2024, I talke about your most important goals to work on this year and all of them come from my own experience and personal growth. Happy New Year and always remember to show yourself love!

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Reflecting on the year that has just been is one of the most important and beautiful things you can do. And doing it myself for this episode has proven this all over again.

Happy Growing’s last episode of the year is all about my personal experience of 2023. You’ll hear about my journey with my physical health, ups and downs, cultural and travel adventures and the things I’m most grateful for this year. This year has been a lot about personal growth, which has been a very different and mature change, that hopefully inspires you too

 Thank you so much for being here this year. Thank you for listening every week, for reaching out and for supporting Happy Growing. It means the world to me. I wish you the very best start into the new year 2024 and remember to be gentle with yourself.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Merry happy everything! It’s Christmas Day, and it’s the third Christmas-Special Q&A for Happy Growing. Thank you all for sending in your questions and for being here and supporting Happy Growing!

This Q&A answers many personal questions from my life in London, babies, moving plans, new projects, non-monogamy and much more.

I’m sending you lots of love for those last few days of 2023 & courage to create the life you wish for!

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Winter and the holiday season can be overwhelming times for many. The reasons for overwhelm, stress or loneliness depend on you and your individual situation. But just as there are many reasons that can make this time challenging, there are also many ways you can support yourself through this season.

And even better: you might not only be supported, but actually learn to embrace and use this season of slowness, comfort, love and connection. Not just connection with others, but connection with yourself.

This week’s episode is all about protecting yourself and your energy during the holidays, and ultimately building a stronger relationship with yourself and understanding for your wishes and needs.

I’m sending you lots of love, hugs and strength for this time of the year. May you celebrate yourself and the love for yourself over everything else.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Let’s have arguments, messy flats that don’t fit a certain aesthetic, let’s have laundry drying in out bedrooms & cutlery that doesn’t match. Let’s be real, let’s change & do it with emotions. Let’s share our worries, be scared, grow & let life move & flow.

This week’s episode is about the beauty of embracing real life. What even does it mean when we talk about ‘real life’? How has Social Media influenced our realities, authenticities & individualities?

We talk about all this & more in this week’s episode of Happy Growing. Especially during winter & around holiday times it’s important to remember that your life is just right the way it is. And the more open we are with each other, the more real connections we build & the more we feel like we are belonging & part of a community.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Social Media and content everywhere shows you how best to look after yourself. How to journal, get your nails done, move your body, what to drink and eat, how much to sleep and how to think. And to be honest, I think it’s great to have so much inspiration and motivation around. But, all those things require a lot of energy and can feel like things to tick-off on one of many to-do lists.

Whatever happened to watching TV, laying around and eating takeout or snacks? Because I think we should bring it back. I think, we should claim doing-nothing and declare it one of the most important wellness tools.

Because the most important thing in life is balance. And doing nothing as part of a balanced lifestyle is exactly what we all need from time to time. And if it’s a day or a whole weekend of laying in bed and watching shows, then let it be. Let’s all do a lot more of nothing and really lean into the messages our body sends us when we crave slowness, relaxation and just want to let go.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_

Over are the times of always being in school-classes with others, always being around people your own age, studying together all week and being able to relax on the weekends. At least that’s what school looked like for many people.

In adulthood, we have our weekly schedules and want to make sure we work, live a healthy life, look after ourselves, keep the house and laundry clean, have all our life-admin sorted and of course, look after pets and children. There is a lot to do everyday, so where is the time to socialise?

And even for those of us who are regularly around others, we might still feel lonely. There might be a lack of connection or changes happening that distance us from each other. All of this is normal. But how can you make sure to support yourself and put changes in place to make deeper or new connections, if that’s what you wish to have in life?

We talk about this and much more in this week’s episode. But most importantly, this episode is here to remind you that you are never alone with your experiences and that you are in charge of your life.

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen

Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast
Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
Verena's Instagram: @verenaberndt_