25. 2023 Year In Review: My Personal Highs & Lows

29. Why I Stopped Trying To Save My Marriage

Ever since I started sharing more about my co-parenting journey with my ex-husband online, lots of comments and assumptions have been shared, both good and bad, but mostly bad. It blew people’s minds how I’m able to sit down at the same dinner table and still have an amicable relationship with him, then we shouldn’t have gotten a divorce. “You couldn't put your egos aside when you were married, but now you can.”  “If this is so perfect, then why didn't you just stay together?” “Genuinely curious if you get along so well, why divorce in the first place? I just don't get it.” “If you can cordially communicate and be in each other's presence and have the ability to compromise like this why couldn't  you compromise on the thing that caused you to divorce in the first place?” “If you get along this well after a divorce, then you shouldn't have gotten a divorce.” Because here’s the thing: just because you get along well with someone doesn’t mean that you are meant to be in a romantic relationship with that person. Yes, you read that right. This is from someone who fought for her marriage for years. So in this episode, let’s talk about some of the things I did to try to save my marriage and how I arrived at the decision to end it. In this episode: * 04:18 - My story of betrayal trauma * 05:58 - How I kept myself in denial * 08:39 - What are you motivated by when it comes to saving your marriage? * 11:11 - A healthier way to advocate for yourself when saving your marriage * 14:03 - When I realized my own role in the dysfunction of my marriage * 14:28 - What happens when you let go of control * 17:32 - Is it possible to divorce from a place of love and healing? * 19:38 - The turning point of why I stopped trying to save my marriage Resources and links mentioned in this episode * Download my FREE Core Values Workbook [https://monicaleigh.myflodesk.com/wrr6bmelyl]  * Join the Choosing to Heal Community and Book Club [https://monicaleighblog.com/community] * Full Show Notes HERE [https://monicaleighblog.com/why-i-stopped-trying-to-save-my-marriage/] Connect with Monica: Follow Monica on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monicaleighblog/] , Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MonicaLeighBlog] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@monicaleighblog?]. To learn more about Monica, dive further into topics mentioned, or to submit a topic/guest request, visit her website at www.monicaleighblog.com [http://www.monicaleighblog.com/] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/choosing2heal/] and Facebook [http://facebook.com/choosingtoheal] Join Monica’s email list [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64875001628d7480d14e6c82] to become an exclusive insider Thank you for listening to Choosing To Heal with Monica Leigh!  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a review to help support the podcast and keep future content coming!

28. How Somatic Therapy & Energy Work Can Help You Heal with Maria Sellars

If you have been in therapy for years but you feel stuck, this episode is for you. Have you heard the term “the body keeps score”? That is because trauma gets stored in our bodies, which is why it’s so important to incorporate a somatic approach to healing. You may understand WHY you are stuck cognitively, but you won’t experience true healing until you release the trauma somatically. In this episode of the Choosing to Heal podcast, I talked with Maria Sellars, a dynamic Healing Arts Practitioner. We dive into different modalities like energy work & somatic therapy, what they are, and how they can help you heal. In this episode: * 03:42 - Discover the cheapest form of anti-depression * 04:44 - Intro to other modalities: somatic therapy & energy work * 07:21 - Why talk therapy alone isn’t enough * 10:02 - How and why trauma is stored in the body * 12:52 - How and why your body responds when you’re emotionally triggered * 16:43 - How to heal at a body level & why it’s so important * 22:05 - Simple ways to get started with vibrational, somatic, energy healing Resources and links mentioned in this episode * Join the Choosing To Heal Community HERE [https://monicaleighblog.com/community] * Full Show Notes HERE [https://monicaleighblog.com/how-somatic-therapy-amp-energy-work-can-help-you-heal-with-maria-sellars/]  Connect with Monica: Follow Monica on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monicaleighblog/] , Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MonicaLeighBlog] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@monicaleighblog?]. To learn more about Monica, dive further into topics mentioned, or to submit a topic/guest request, visit her website at www.monicaleighblog.com [http://www.monicaleighblog.com/] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/choosing2heal/] and Facebook [http://facebook.com/choosingtoheal] Join Monica’s email list [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64875001628d7480d14e6c82] to become an exclusive insider About our guest: Maria Sellars is a dynamic Healing Arts Practitioner who has been studying movement and energy medicine for over 17 years. She is the owner of Heal. Pain & Stress Relief Center in the Orlando, Florida area. Her passion is helping people to light up their lives because she knows what it is like struggling and living in the dark. Maria’s approach to healing combines energy work, somatic inner child work and chakra balancing techniques to help people find clarity, peace and joy in their worlds. We all have the capability to heal our lives and Maria is here to walk alongside you as you grow along your journey. Connect with Maria Follow Maria on Instagram @orlandoenergyworker [http://instagram.com/orlandoenergyworker] @whattheheal.podcast [http://instagram.com/whattheheal.podcast] www.mariasellars.com [http://www.mariasellars.com/] Thank you for listening to Choosing To Heal with Monica Leigh!  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a review to help support the podcast and keep future content coming!

27. 8 Ways You May Be Sabotaging Your Relationship & Why

Here’s the thing: you’re not a horrible person for unconsciously sabotaging your relationship. Your unhealthy habits have nothing to do with who you are as a person but it says everything about your past and what you’ve been through. So in today’s episode, let’s take a hard look at the ways you may be self-sabotaging your relationship and the reasons why you may be doing this. Once you gain a deeper understanding as to why you may be doing these behaviors, you can do better and choose to heal.  In this episode mp3: * 01:58 - 8 ways you may be sabotaging your relationship * 04:47 - The wounded beliefs that fuel your behavior * 06:26 - Words to watch out for when you’re in conflict * 08:57 - What you’re REALLY trying to communicate  * 17:41 - How past trauma plays a huge role in how you act out * 21:57 - Why it’s hard for your partner to respond when you react Resources and links mentioned in this episode * Get my FREE Triggered Masterclass [https://monicaleighblog.com/triggered-masterclass]  * Listen to Episode 5: How to Respond, Not React [https://monicaleighblog.com/how-to-respond-not-react-choosing-to-heal-in-4-simple-steps/] * Join the Choosing to Heal Community and Book Club [https://monicaleighblog.com/community] * Full Show Notes HERE [https://monicaleighblog.com/8-ways-you-may-be-sabotaging-your-relationship-amp-why/]   Connect with Monica: Follow Monica on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monicaleighblog/] , Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MonicaLeighBlog] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@monicaleighblog?]. To learn more about Monica, dive further into topics mentioned, or to submit a topic/guest request, visit her website at www.monicaleighblog.com [http://www.monicaleighblog.com/] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/choosing2heal/] and Facebook [http://facebook.com/choosingtoheal] Join Monica’s email list [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64875001628d7480d14e6c82] to become an exclusive insider Thank you for listening to Choosing To Heal with Monica Leigh!  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a review to help support the podcast and keep future content coming!

26. Start Fresh in 2024 By Doing A New Year Reset! Here’s How.

It’s almost the start of a brand new year, and if you're like the rest of the world, you're probably starting to think about New Year's resolutions or things you want to do differently for 2024. So in today's episode, I’ll walk you through the exercises we’re doing inside the Choosing to Heal Community and Book Club to say goodbye to 2023 and prep for 2024 with intention so we can continue to heal and thrive. In this episode: * 01:46 - How to prep for the new year * 03:11 - Why you need accountability partners * 04:29 - Do this to trigger your 2023 memories * 05:26 - Journal prompts to use for 2023 reflections * 09:46 - A creative approach to gratitude * 11:55 - Defining your word of the year * 18:35 - How to break down goals into an actionable plan * 23:05 - Decluttering for the new year Resources and links mentioned in this episode * Download my New Year Reset Workbook HERE [https://monicaleigh.thrivecart.com/new-year-workbook/] * Join the Choosing to Heal Book Community and Book Club [https://monicaleighblog.com/community] for accountability and healing resources * Full Show Notes HERE [https://monicaleighblog.com/start-fresh-in-2024-by-doing-a-new-year-reset-heres-how/(opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab)]  Connect with Monica: Follow Monica on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monicaleighblog/] , Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MonicaLeighBlog] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@monicaleighblog?]. To learn more about Monica, dive further into topics mentioned, or to submit a topic/guest request, visit her website at www.monicaleighblog.com [http://www.monicaleighblog.com/] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/choosing2heal/] and Facebook [http://facebook.com/choosingtoheal] Join Monica’s email list [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64875001628d7480d14e6c82] to become an exclusive insider Thank you for listening to Choosing To Heal with Monica Leigh!  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a review to help support the podcast and keep future content coming!

25. 2023 Year In Review: My Personal Highs & Lows

This time of year, you’ll see a lot of highlight reels. But let’s be real… a year doesn’t consist of ONLY GOOD. Consider this your dose of what a REALISTIC year can look like, balancing both the good and the hard! Choosing to heal is not a linear path and this year was no exception. In this episode, I share my most impactful experiences from 2023: both highlights and lowlights. In this episode: * 02:40 - The biggest shock of the year * 03:35 - Learning how to surrender the outcome * 08:04 - Grieving unexpected loss * 10:00 - Hidden everyday blessings * 10:24 - The underrated benefit of being in a long-distance relationship * 13:51 - How blended family is both a blessing and a struggle * 17:01 - Biggest frustration in my healing journey so far * 20:32 - Why I’m able to dive deeper into healing this year Resources and links mentioned in this episode * Get my FREE Triggered Masterclass [https://monicaleighblog.com/triggered-masterclass] * Listen to Episode 7: Deciding To Divorce, Dating After Divorce & What Life Looks Like Now [https://monicaleighblog.com/deciding-to-divorce-dating-after-divorce-what-life-looks-like-now/] * Join the Choosing to Heal Community and Book Club [https://monicaleighblog.com/community] * Full Show Notes HERE [https://monicaleighblog.com/2023-year-in-review-my-personal-highs-amp-lows/]  Connect with Monica: Follow Monica on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monicaleighblog/] , Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MonicaLeighBlog] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@monicaleighblog?]. To learn more about Monica, dive further into topics mentioned, or to submit a topic/guest request, visit her website at www.monicaleighblog.com [http://www.monicaleighblog.com] Follow the podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/choosing2heal/] and Facebook [http://facebook.com/choosingtoheal] Join Monica’s email list [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64875001628d7480d14e6c82] to become an exclusive insider Thank you for listening to Choosing To Heal with Monica Leigh!  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a review to help support the podcast and keep future content coming!