Episode Overview
In this festive sanity check, Aileen and Julie reflect on the chaos of the pre-Christmas period. From endless to-do lists and the pressure to create the "perfect" holiday, they share their personal experiences and remind us that good enough truly is good enough.

Key Discussion Points

• The Holiday Juggle: Why the week before Christmas feels overwhelming and how 80% of people feel stressed by preparations.
• Perfection Pressure: The emotional load of striving for a picture-perfect holiday often leaves us overwhelmed. Studies show that 42% of people feel pressured to create the "perfect" Christmas, with 1 in 5 finding it too stressful to enjoy. 
• Personal Stories: Julie’s triple-whammy of Australian Christmas chaos (school year, summer holidays, and family travel) and Aileen’s strategy of setting the table a week early to stay sane.
• Practical Advice: Lean into "good enough," let go of unnecessary tasks, and focus on connection and joy.

Listener Takeaways

• Christmas is about the moments, not the details. Laugh at what goes wrong—it’s where the best stories come from.
• Letting go of unrealistic expectations can help us focus on what truly matters—connection and joy.
• Prioritise self-care, whether it’s a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or simply letting yourself off the hook.

Join the Conversation
How are you managing the pre-Christmas chaos? Share your stories with us via DM or voicemail—we’d love to hear from you!

Connect with Us
We’ll be back next week with more honest chats. Until then, take a breath and remember—it doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview
In this heartfelt episode, Aileen and Julie delve into the challenging but vital topic of self-worth in children. How do we help our kids feel worthy and enough when many of us struggle with self-worth ourselves? Inspired by a listener's letter, they explore what self-worth truly is, why it’s essential for kids, and how we can teach it while still learning it ourselves.

Key Discussion Points

• What Is Self-Worth? Understanding it as an inner belief in your value—different from self-esteem.
• The Cost of Low Self-Worth: Aileen and Julie share how chasing external validation shaped their lives.
• Raising Resilient Kids: Teaching self-worth helps children handle setbacks and build healthy relationships.
• The Parenting Balancing Act: Navigating our own self-worth while modelling it for our kids.
• Practical Tools: Real examples—affirmations, praising effort, and creating emotionally safe spaces.

Listener Takeaways

• Model It: Speak kindly about yourself and set boundaries your kids can learn from.
• Praise the Process: Celebrate effort and inner qualities, not just achievements.
• Separate the Deed from the Doer: Correct behaviour without labelling the child.
• Validate Feelings: Show it’s okay to feel and fail—it’s how we grow.
• Celebrate Uniqueness: Help kids own their strengths and quirks.
• Own Your Mistakes: Apologising models accountability and unconditional love.

Resources

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Raising Girls Who Like Themselves in a World That Tells Them They're Flawed by Kasey Edwards and Christopher Scanlan 

Join the Conversation

How do you nurture self-worth in your children? Have you found ways to model self-worth while on your own journey? Share your experiences with us via voic

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview
In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie delve into the exhausting and often invisible reality of this life stage, the mental load and the chaos it can create in our lives. With the added pressures of the holiday season, they share honest reflections on the relentless demands of caregiving, managing households, and balancing work, all while navigating emotional and mental well-being. They also explore practical strategies for managing the overwhelm and embracing imperfection during life’s busiest stages.

Key Discussion Points

• What Is Mental Load? The often-invisible strain carried by caregivers.
• Why It’s Exhausting: Emotional, mental, and physical burnout from doing it all.
• Life Stage Chaos: How work, parenting, and holidays amplify the pressure.
• Guilt & Expectations: The myth of “doing it all” and its toll on self-worth.
• New Perspective: Embracing imperfection and accepting life’s messiness.
• Tools for Relief: Tips to manage mental load—boundaries, priorities, and asking for help.

Listener Takeaways

• Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone.
• “Good enough” is more than okay.
• Boundaries and self-care help lighten the load.
• Accepting your life stage can bring calm.
• Asking for help is a strength, not a failure.

Quotes & Links Mentioned

“It takes courage to rest and play in a culture that sees exhaustion as a status symbol” - Brene Brown

For Incredible Holiday Portraits (discount code YKMS24):

https://www.gsixtysix.com/category/xmas24

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you manage the chaos of mental load, particularly during the holiday season?

If this episode resonated with you, please share

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

In this episode, we dive into peri-menopause—something so many of us face, yet rarely talk about.
Aileen and Julie share their personal experiences with everything from brain fog and sleepless nights to unexpected symptoms like anxiety and allergies, offering honesty, insight, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

Key Discussion Points

1. Acknowledging the Elephant in the Room - How menopause often feels sidelined, despite being a significant life transition.
2. The Symptom Minefield - Exploring 48 recognised symptoms of menopause
3. Navigating Treatments and Misstepn - The trial-and-error nature of finding solutions
4. The Bigger Picture - The impact of menopause on relationships, and mental health.
5. Reclaiming the Narrative - The power of knowledge and advocacy when seeking medical care.

Listener Takeaways

• You’re not alone: Menopause is a shared journey—many women are going through it too.
• Know your options: Understanding symptoms gives you back some control.
• Reach out: Support from friends, GPs, or professionals can make all the difference.
• Prioritise you: Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear from you! Share your menopause journey, what’s worked for you, and what hasn’t.  

Links & Resources Mentioned

For Incredible Holiday Portraits (discount code YKMS24):

https://www.gsixtysix.com/category/xmas24

48 Symptoms of Menopause: https://wuka.co.uk/blogs/menopause/48-symptoms-of-menopause

Book: Menopausing: The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring By Davina McCall & Dr Naomi Potter

Womenwise Health: h

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, we explore the art of listening and its impact on connection, growth, and health. Inspired by listener feedback, we discuss what it takes to be a good listener and how real listening strengthens relationships, helps us feel understood, and supports mental and physical well-being.

Key Discussion Points

• Why Listening Matters: How truly listening (without interrupting or fixing) deepens connection.
• Traits of a Good Listener:
  → Creates a safe, judgment-free space
  → Is fully present—even in voice messages
  → Offers empathy, not solutions
  → Holds space without rushing or pressure
• Health Benefits: Being heard boosts mental and physical wellbeing by reducing emotional suppression.

Listener Takeaways

• Empathy Builds Trust: “I hear you” can be more powerful than advice.
• Connection Grows Through Listening: Stronger relationships start with presence.
• It’s Good for Your Health: Sharing emotions freely supports wellbeing.
• Space Creates Safety: Listening without pressure invites real vulnerability.

Links From The Show

Incredible holiday portraits for those in London (discount code YKMS24):

https://www.gsixtysix.com/category/xmas24   

For more about the impact of suppressing your feelings and staying silent:

https://time.com/6319549/silencing-women-sick-essay/

Join the Conversation

If this episode resonated with you we’d love to hear your stories of listening and being heard. Reach out through voicemail, DM, or in the comments to share your experience with empathy and listening— let’s continue building a supportive community grounded in presence and understanding.

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:
In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie unpack the impact of judgement—how it shapes our choices, fuels fear, and feeds the inner critic. Through personal stories and honest reflection, they explore how to move beyond judgement and into self-acceptance.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Power of Judgement: How it influences self-worth and holds us back.
• Fear of Being Judged: Childhood roots, societal pressures, and how it shows up today.
• Self-Judgement: Why our inner critic often hits harder than others’ opinions.
• Breaking Free: Practical tools to embrace self-compassion and stop taking on others’ projections.

Quote to Reflect On:
"Every time you judge someone, you reveal a part of yourself that needs healing."

Listener Story:
Samantha from Victoria shares her experience with judgement and finding self-acceptance.

Takeaways:

• Notice when you judge (yourself or others) and choose compassion.
• Speak kindly to yourself—perfection isn’t the goal.
• Most people are too wrapped up in their own struggles to judge you.
• You are enough, just as you are.

Join the Conversation:
Judgement affects us all—send us a DM or voicemail with your thoughts.
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram.

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Julie and Aileen dive into the topic of self-worth, exploring what it means, how we lose touch with it, and how to rebuild it from within. They share personal stories and insights into why self-worth is crucial for living authentically and setting healthy standards for oneself.

Key Discussion Points

• What is Self-Worth? Understanding self-worth as an intrinsic sense of value, independent of achievements or external validation.
• Losing Touch with Self-Worth: How societal conditioning and early praise tied to accomplishments can skew our perception of self-worth.
• Rebuilding Self-Worth: Personal experiences of separating worth from external achievements and valuing inherent qualities.
• Cultivating Self-Worth Daily: Practical strategies like gratitude practices, setting boundaries, and self-compassion to reinforce a strong sense of self.

Listener Takeaways

• Self-worth isn’t something you earn; it’s inherent.
• Focus on valuing your internal qualities and practising self-compassion.
• Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are, and learn to validate yourself without external approval.

Join the Conversation We’d love to hear your experiences with self-worth. Where do you peg your self-worth, and how are you working to build it from within? Drop us a message or voicemail and, if this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need it.

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Summary: In this special introductory episode, Aileen and Julie share the story behind their chance meeting, the evolution of their friendship, and the inspiration behind You Keep Me Sane. From a serendipitous encounter in Greenwich Park to years of daily WhatsApp messages that became an anchor for both of them, they reflect on the challenges they’ve faced, the support they’ve shared, and their decision to bring these honest conversations to others. This episode provides insight into the friendship that forms the heart of You Keep Me Sane, a space where everyone can feel heard and understood.

Quote of the Episode:
"Everyone needs a friend who can catch all of that messiness and make them feel they’re not alone." – Aileen

Join the Conversation:
Feel free to join the You Keep Me Sane Instagram chat group or reach out via DM. Aileen and Julie would love to hear what resonates with you, and you can even email suggestions for future episodes at [email protected].

Thank you for listening! Tune in next week as Aileen and Julie dive deeper into the everyday challenges that connect us all.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Aileen and Julie dive into the all-too-familiar experience of fear, exploring a quote that struck a chord:

“All you have to do is show up. Be late. Be scared. Be confused. Just be there. You'll figure out the rest as you go.”

They open up about how fear has shaped their journey—from launching the podcast to navigating personal and professional challenges. Whether it’s the fear of being seen, judged, failing, or not being ‘enough,’ they share honest reflections on what it takes to show up anyway.

Through candid stories and relatable insights, they explore how courage often begins with simply being present—especially when things feel uncertain. Tune in for a conversation about fear, vulnerability, and finding strength in showing up.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The importance of showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable or imperfect.
2. Fear of being seen – what it means to step out of the shadows.
3. Navigating the fear of judgment and learning to rely less on external validation.
4. Facing the deep-seated fear of not being “enough” and embracing our true selves.
5. Learning to overcome the fear of failure and stepping forward with courage.

Quote to Remember:

"All you have to do is show up. Be late. Be scared. Be confused. Just BE there. You’ll figure out the rest as you go."

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What are some of your biggest fears? How have you faced them? Reach out to us via voicemail or DM—let’s keep the conversation going!

Resources Mentioned:

Theodore Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" - Read the full speech here

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this heartfelt episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie explore the often elusive concept of success. They delve into how societal definitions can overshadow personal aspirations and how we can redefine success on our own terms.

Key Discussion Points:

1. What Success Means to Us: Aileen and Julie share their personal journey with the definitions of success, highlighting how these have evolved over the years.
2. The Weight of Societal Expectations: A discussion on how societal norms can create pressure to conform to a specific idea of success, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
3. The Role of Authenticity: The hosts emphasise the importance of aligning success with one’s values and passions, advocating for an authentic approach to life goals.
4. Confronting Fear: They talk about the fears that often accompany the pursuit of success, such as fear of judgment and fear of failure, and how to navigate these challenges.
5. Celebrating Small Wins: Aileen and Julie stress the significance of recognising and celebrating the small achievements that contribute to our journey toward larger goals.

Listener Takeaways:

• Reflect on what success means to you personally and consider how it aligns with your values.
• Challenge societal definitions of success and embrace your unique path.
• Recognise the importance of celebrating small victories along the way.

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you define success? What fears have you encountered in your journey? Reach out to us via voicemail or DM—let’s keep the conversation going!

Join Us for More on Patreon!

Please join us on Patreon for our Sanity Checks - our short weekly episodes where we share what’s really on our minds. They’ve been part of the podcast since the very beginning - those little check-ins and raw conversations. Now, for the price of a coffee a month, you'll get this extra weekly episode plus much more!

Join Us via this link:

https://www.patreon.com/14211197/join

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.