Ep 98: How to Ease Anxiety and Socialize with Intention with Coach Lee Hopkins

Have you ever walked into a party and felt your chest tighten, or skipped an event entirely because it felt too overwhelming? Even as someone who leans more extroverted, I’ve been there, and I learned so much from this conversation. As the holiday season ramps up, so does the pressure to be on, to mingle, to make conversation that doesn’t always feel natural.

In this episode, I’m joined by Coach Lee Hopkins, a social connections coach who understands the exhaustion that can come with trying to fit in. We talk about easing anxiety, using strategic vulnerability, and creating connections that feel honest instead of draining. This is a gentle, practical conversation about showing up as yourself, at your own pace.

Topics Covered:

• What cozy living really means beyond décor or “doing more”.
• How our surroundings influence mood, creativity, and calm.
• Bringing nature, texture, and light into your home intentionally.
• The emotional power of scent and how it shapes atmosphere.
• Simple, budget-friendly shifts to create peace in your space.
• Why decluttering is less about getting rid of things and more about energy.
• Creating sitting corners as adult “timeouts” for rest and reflection.
• Approaching the holiday season with intention, gratitude, and joy.

Here are some actions you can take, whether you have 5 minutes or 50:

• If you have 5 minutes, check out Coach Lee’s video called “How to be vulnerable without being overexposed.”
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErCokjQaYoI
• If you have 50 minutes, think of one small experiment to try in the next week. Maybe it’s saying hi to a stranger, starting a genuine conversation instead of defaulting to small talk, or practicing a little “strategic vulnerability” with someone you trust. Remember: confidence grows through competence — and every interaction is a chance to learn more about yourself.

Connect with Coach Lee!
Website: http://www.patternsofpossibility.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/coachleehopkins
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@patternsofpossibility
Social Connections Community: https://patternsofpossibility.circle.so/homepage
Strategic vulnerability video: https://youtu.be/ErCokjQaYoI

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Until next time, muah!

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