Have you ever reached a season where what used to “work” just… doesn’t anymore?
In this episode of Your Most Beautiful Life, I share my own story — the journey through childhood, raising a family, stepping into the empty nest years, and discovering that some old survival patterns I had leaned on could no longer carry me forward.
For years, I looked outside myself for validation trying to measure up, seeking approval, and hoping someone else could confirm I was “doing it right.” That worked for a while, but eventually, those patterns left me stuck. What I found instead was the power of deep self-development, the wisdom of both scripture and neuropsychology, and how coaching became the bridge that helped me live from my truest self.
🎯 You’ll hear about: • How my childhood shaped the way I looked for external validation • The tension I felt raising a family while longing to create and build • Why transitions like the empty nest years can surface old wounds and survival patterns • What I began to see as I studied both scripture and science • How coaching became the missing piece that tied my faith and self-growth together • The gift of learning to live from my truest self — the one God designed me to be
📎 Mentioned in this episode: • Book a free 1:1 coaching session → [https://calendly.com/lorijsmith/explore-coaching-free-personalized-session-with-lori] • Listen to Ep. 016: Sacred Identity Over Self-Improvement • Listen to Ep. 020: The Sacred Side of Labor
🧠 Quotable Insights “Survival patterns can work for a long time, but eventually, they stop working in the best ways.” “Coaching didn’t replace my faith — it showed me how to apply it.” “Living in your truest self doesn’t mean others always agree with you. It means standing firm in what’s true without collapsing under the weight of outside opinions.”
✨ Stay in Touch Want a weekly dose of beauty, clarity, and rhythm? Join my Weekly Bookmark email and get a thoughtful reflection, a life-giving idea, and a practical next step delivered every Monday.
🌐 Website/Blog: lorijsmith.com/home 📩 Join Weekly Bookmark: lorijsmith.com 📸 Instagram: @lorijsmithco 🎧 Listen to more episodes: Your Most Beautiful Life Podcast
🧠 Keywords + Topics Covered faith-based coaching, external validation, survival patterns, self-discovery, neuropsychology and scripture, Christian coaching, empty nest transition, identity in Christ, purpose and clarity, personal growth
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