-58- What trekking through Iceland and emotional fluidity have in common?

-62- Relationships, romantic partner expectations and the capacity to love

Hello, beautiful people! Today loads of short topics, from the curse of validation and the journey beyond, to self-discovery, intimacy in friendships, dating expectations, and declining birth rates. When discussing relationships, we will highlight the benefits of intimate connections that nourish both sides and enriches their lives. Not only in case of romantic relationships but also, friends and family. When landing on the topic of relationships we talk about the benefit of intimate relationships which are feeding you and you're able to enrich their lifes. That applies to romantic partners, friends and family. However, when we seek romantic partners based on societal expectations, we often look for the “perfect” person—someone who seems complete and ready—but we should consider giving chances to those we can grow with instead. We understand that it’s easier to find someone who appears mature and organized, but most of us reach that level with support from others. At least one person has to believe in us and give us a chance. So, is it worth waiting for the ideal partner while we still have personal growth to do? It might be rewarding to start that journey alongside someone else. As always we love you, Niko & Klaudia -------- Relevant links: Scottish census 2022 [https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/about/2022-census/] Modern Wisdom with Mads Larsen - [https://youtu.be/7fL_xEBYTDs?si=ruEU9MCAzdtFmAxp]The hidden truth about our collapsing birth rates. Rich Roll and Esther Perel [https://youtu.be/zoF_eUfzjwY?si=iM4vBQNjccn4qJyG]- Relationship Expert: this will destroy your relationship -------- If you're struggling with your mental health, please get in touch with your loved ones, GP or mental health professionals. Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0800 689 5652⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [tel:0800 689 5652] If you would prefer not to speak but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258

-61- Cowboy builders and dead ends of autistic brain

Hello, beautiful people! Welcome back after a few weeks of break! Busy lives, holidays, and here it comes four weeks later! Today, we start with a check-in with each other and beautiful proof of how self-awareness can be useful in your life. Niko talks about realising how his tiredness impacts information processing and learning and how we all need to sometimes just find the strength in accepting that we're weak and need a break. Afterwards, we go into the enigmatic topic of cowboy builders of our minds and lives. We learn and shape throughout our entire life. Some things we learn because we want to, and our parents, school, culture, and environment are passing down some. All of this creates some sort of furnishing of our mind and life. Very rarely do we look inside and rethink the origins and current usefulness of those decor elements. Yet sometimes comes a moment when we learn something new, bring a skill, dream, person or just a thought, and despite us choosing to do so, it feels incredibly uncomfortable, out of place. And for some unknown reason, we're used to discarding the things which feel like this rather than looking inside and thinking, what is stopping me, blocking me, what is clashing there? So listen for why you shouldn't let the cowboy builders of your mind discard things that could make your life more interesting, better, or just a tiny bit more aligned with what you dream of. The second part of the episode was a surprise for the two of us, too! We completely spontaneously discovered the dead end of Niko's autistic brain. We talk about empathy, emotions, understanding other people's perspectives, and how some people might not be capable of getting there. Like never, even if they try. How come you can cry during The Lion King but can't understand why you're making your girlfriend cry? How come you're kind, but some might see your behaviours as di**head moves? Well, listen and learn with us! Niko & Klaudia -------- If you're struggling with your mental health, please get in touch with your loved ones, GP or mental health professionals. Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0800 689 5652⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [tel:0800 689 5652] If you would prefer not to speak but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258

-60- Not knowing, wrong measures and complicity

Hello, beautiful people! Today's episode covers a wide range of topics, but it ultimately focuses on the theme of learning and knowledge. We start by discussing the idea of not knowing and learning how to feel proud about it, inspired by Niko's daughter. We touch on why most people find it hard to admit when they don't understand something and why this can be disrespectful and stop them from learning something new. Once again, the importance of knowledge and understanding comes into play. This concept highlights the risk of placing too much emphasis on measurable data or indicators, which can hinder our ability to comprehend the "what," "why," and "how" of our actions because not all indicators can be fully verified or replicated. We can relate this to our work, decision-making processes, and even our weightloss goals. The last topic we open with a quote from Jerry Colonna: "How am I complicit in creating the conditions I say I don't want?" This question, when applied as a daily habit by a curious person who wants to change something in their life, can yield meaningful results. However, is it as simple as it sounds? Listen for more, let us know what you think and subscribe! As usual, we love you! Niko & Klaudia -------- If you're struggling with your mental health, please get in touch with your loved ones, GP or mental health professionals. Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0800 689 5652⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [tel:0800 689 5652] If you would prefer not to speak but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258

-59- Putting tools into practice!

Hello, beautiful people! When it comes to self-development, coaching, or therapy, nothing will happen by itself. You might consume plenty of books, spend dozens of hours and thousands of pounds on coaching and therapy, but you will not get the results you're looking for without putting tools and learning into practice. Tools will not make your problems disappear. They will not obliterate learning difficulties, cure anxiety or depression, or erase a problematic childhood. However, they can make life more manageable. Where do you start? The key is to keep trying and using the tools we learn, even if we fail at times. We discuss gratitude practice, visualizations, journaling, breathing techniques, grounding techniques, routines, finding comfort in discomfort, but most of all, finding the key to success: compassion for yourself. We're also talking about being enough and how the constant feeling of inadequacy and lack of purpose can be easily compared to chronic pain. You can get used to this, but it will linger and affect our lives, possibly at the worst times. We explore the acceptance of all emotions and how all of the above connects to mental health and suicide crisis among men above the age of 40. To learn more, keep listening. As always, we love you! Klaudia & Niko ------ If you're struggling with your mental health, please get in touch with your loved ones, GP or mental health professionals. Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0800 689 5652⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [tel:0800 689 5652] If you would prefer not to speak but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258

-58- What trekking through Iceland and emotional fluidity have in common?

Hello beautiful people! Welcome back after a long break! We're coming back with stories of our Icelandic adventure. An over 100km trek through the most astonishing and ever-changing landscapes, some of which few have walked through. We started at Skógafoss waterfall, spending the night next to the infamous Baldvinsskáli hut with its raw and harsh surroundings. From there, we followed the Fimmvörðuháls hike to the magical land of Thórsmörk. Continuing on the Laugavegur trail, we ended our journey at the hot springs of Landmannalaugar. However, this episode isn't just about the trek itself. It's about what we've learned and how our bodies and minds reacted to the change in our daily structure and living conditions. Most importantly, it's about how being prepared, both physically and equipped with appropriate gear, made the trek a pleasurable experience. Days later, it felt more like a retreat on Bali than a trek through rain, winds, black sands, snow, and lava fields. We finish the episode with a metaphor leading us to our second topic: emotional fluidity. It's an ability to move freely between emotions and let them flow through you without resistance, defence, avoidance, and denial. This isn't something you wake up with one day. We have it as babies, but it disappears. The only way to get it back is to equip yourself with tools and strategies and, most importantly, train your heart, head, and gut to do so. Listen for more, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your time! As always, we love you! Klaudia & Niko ----- Mentioned in the episode: Act of Accomplishment - Emotional Fluidity [https://youtu.be/BGmnemazH3I?si=wGlhZMfj0UjqOg6K] ---- If you're struggling with your mental health, please get in touch with your loved ones, GP or mental health professionals. Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠0800 689 5652⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [tel:0800 689 5652] If you would prefer not to speak but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258