What if your nervous system didn’t believe it was safe to want something just for you?
In Episode 138 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin is joined by life coach Cecelia Mandryk (@ceceliabmandryk) to continue our series on How to Take Care of Yourself. Together, they explore the difference between dopamine-driven quick fixes and the courageous work of sustained self-care. Cecelia offers powerful tools and reframes that help high-functioning people make their minds a calmer, safer place to be.
Erin and Cecelia talk about:
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Why identifying what YOU want can feel threatening when you've learned to meet everyone else's expectations
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How our culture of outrage keeps us stuck—and how to move from reactivity to empowered action
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A step-by-step walk-through of tending to your nervous system when you're feeling overwhelmed or angry
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The magic of nervous system regulation (even when your brain tells you it won’t work)
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Why the actions you take from empowerment might look the same as outrage-driven ones—but feel completely different
✨ “You can’t choose something better until you know what you’re choosing.” — this quote from Cecelia hit me hard and stayed with me.
You’ll also hear:
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A grounded reminder from Walt Whitman that it’s okay to be a contradiction
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My frustration with the way self-care has been co-opted by consumerism—and how Cecelia helped me reframe that into compassion
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A call to reclaim self-care as simple, nourishing, and deeply powerful
This is a conversation for anyone feeling burned out, stuck in rage or fear, or unsure how to move forward without losing themselves.
🔗 Connect with Cecelia:
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Instagram: @ceceliabmandryk
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Website, mini-course + coaching: ceceliabaummandryk.com
🎧 Listen in, take a deep breath, and remember—you don’t have to fix everything to feel more powerful. You just have to start with you.
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon.
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 131: Why is Taking Care of Yourself So Hard?
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 132: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #1 - Say YES to Help
Episode 133: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #2 - Name your Needs
Episode 134: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #3 - Stay Curious
Episode 135: How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #4 - Celebrate Yourself
Episode 136: How to Take Care of Yourself Insight # 5 - Take Your Meds
Episode 137: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #6 - Make Time for Art
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