Riyan's POV

Riyan's POV

By Riyan AbdiSociety & Culture
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Riyan's POV episodes

  • The One Where We Expect Too Much

    We’ve all been there—setting expectations so high they’re bound to let us down. In this episode, I talk about how our expectations can lead to heartbreak, why we set them in the first place, and how perfectionism ties into it all. Most importantly, I’ll share how to let go of the outcomes, set healthier expectations, and find joy in the process instead of the result.

    23 min
  • How to Build Confidence and Overcome Self-Doubt

    In today’s episode, I share a quick update on what’s been going on in my life lately. I got a DM the other day asking where I got my confidence, and it got me thinking—confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you learn. So, I’m breaking it down: what confidence actually is, how I’ve worked on mine, and how you can too.


    25 min
  • The Comparison Trap: Why You Don’t Have to Measure Up

    Comparison—it’s something we all do, whether we realize it or not. From scrolling through Instagram to evaluating our careers or relationships, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling short. In this episode, I explore the impact of comparison on our mental health, share personal stories of navigating this struggle, and discuss practical ways to break free from the comparison trap. It’s time to stop measuring ourselves against others and start focusing on our own journey.


    24 min
  • The One Where Rejection Hits Different

    Rejection sucks—I just got rejected from my top schools, and it stings. Today, I’m diving into why rejection hurts, the science behind it, and how to turn it into something positive. If you’re dealing with it too, this one’s for you.


    21 min
  • New Chapters Are Scary but Necessary

    In this weeks episode, I take a moment to pause, reflect, and share everything that’s been happening lately—new challenges, unexpected growth, and the journey of balancing it all. Grab a cozy spot, and let’s catch up!



    21 min
  • The One Where I Finally Say No

    This episode, we’re digging into why people-pleasing is so hard to shake. I’m talking about how it starts, the conditioning that keeps us saying yes even when we don’t want to, and why setting boundaries feels nearly impossible. We’ll look at what keeps us stuck in this cycle and, more importantly, how to finally break free. If you’re tired of putting yourself last and want to learn how to start saying no without the guilt, this one's for you.


    24 min
  • The One Where Life's Hard, Why Make It Harder

    Being human comes with countless physical, mental, and emotional struggles. In this week's episode, I dive into the complexity of relationships and interactions, highlighting the importance of kindness—whether it's online or in person. We never truly know what someone else is going through, and a small act of compassion can make all the difference.


    20 min
  • The One Where We Age Faster Than We Think

    In this episode, we talk about epigenetics and explore how your lifestyle, diet, and environment can influence your genes and impact how you age. We break down the difference between chronological age and biological age and dive into how DNA methylation can either slow down or speed up the aging process. We live in a world where many of us are aging faster due to the changes in our epigenome. I don’t know about you, but I’m not looking to age faster or deal with chronic diseases in the future! So, tune in to learn more about how you can take control of your health and start aging better today.

    23 min
  • Redefining Diet Culture

    In this episode, I explore the misconceptions of diet culture, particularly the idea that there's one "perfect" diet for everyone. I dive into research on why certain diets are perceived as healthier than others and challenge the notion that one size fits all when it comes to nutrition. Ultimately, I share my perspective on what we truly need to eat for overall health, based on both the research and a balanced approach to individual needs.


    21 min

About Riyan's POV

From the publisher's feed

I'm just trying to make sense of life, one conversation at a time.