Semi-Together

In our culture, we often talk about perfectionism like it’s a positive character trait. The classic example is answering the dreaded job interview question, “What’s your biggest weakness?” with “I’m a perfectionist,” as a way to show how hardworking and attentive you are. But perfectionism is actually self-defeating and harmful – and its antidote is self-compassion. Melia and Gill share research on the dangers of perfectionism, their own experiences with it, and strategies to help manage it.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

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Shame is something we all experience (except sociopaths!), but no one wants to talk about. Melia and Gill give a brief overview of Brené Brown's research on shame – including why it's harmful, how it affects women and men, and how to overcome it. They share how shame shows up in their own lives (hint: The Shame File is an actual document Melia keeps) and steps we can all take to identify our shame triggers and begin to free ourselves of them.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Our busy schedules at work and home can deplete our energy, leaving us feeling scattered and worn out. When we don’t replenish the fuel in our tank, we find ourselves running on empty and heading toward burnout.

We know it’s not always easy to make time for activities that make you feel happy, fulfilled, or energized. But just a few minutes a day, every day, will help renew your energy and sustain you during difficult times, allowing you to make your fullest contribution to your goals and to other people.

In this episode – and a free downloadable workbook, linked below, Melia and Gill share tips for figuring out which activities fuel you and how to make space for them.

Download the free workbook that accompanies this episode: http://www.subscribepage.com/fuel

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

When you work toward a goal, you can get so focused that you lose sight of why you're doing it or more effective ways of accomplishing it. In this minisode, Melia and Gill talk about how to Change the Plan (this is a meta topic because they changed their own plan for the podcast this week!). It helps to Practice the Pause, their tip from the previous minisode, and think, “What if we did this another way – or not at all?” Those three words, “What if we…” open up a whole new range of possibilities than what you might have considered.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

We often react to the things that happen automatically, with anxiety, stress, or anger. In this minisode, Melia and Gill talk about Practicing The Pause, putting a bit of space between what happens and how you react to it. Opening up that space helps you tap into your wiser self and choosing how you respond.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

The beginning of the school year feels like a fresh start – even if it’s been years since you were in school. In this minisode, Melia and Gill talk about why September is the perfect opportunity to celebrate a “second new year,” stepping back and reevaluating your priorities. What do you want to recommit to? What do you want to let go of?

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether 

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Do you know when it’s time to take a break? In this minisode, Melia and Gill talk about why, how, and when to recharge – and the short season break they're taking for the next few weeks. 

We often think about procrastination as a time management or productivity problem – but it’s actually an emotional issue, a way to avoid feeling triggered by our task lists. Melia and Gill share some of the ways that procrastination creates roadblocks in their lives, as well as strategies to overcome it.

Melia and Gill spent a few days together in New Orleans and recorded this episode in person. They invited their husbands, Darren and Brian, back for their second guest appearance on the podcast, to talk about personality types in relationships and in life. 

They discuss their own personality types, which can help you figure out your own and those of the people in your life. By knowing our strengths and challenges and what makes us tick, we can better manage conflict and thrive in our work and relationships.

In our culture, we often talk about self-care as if it’s only for women. But it’s just as important for men to prioritize their physical and mental health. 

Melia and Gill interview their friend and listener Chris Myers, an architect and the father of two young kids, about a guy’s experience with self-care. Chris talks about managing anxiety, making time for habits like meditation, and raising kids (boys in particular) to have good emotional health. And he shares advice for building strong friendships, even when time i