Balanced but Barely

Boundaries Are Not Mean: Protecting Your Peace Without Feeling Guilty

If saying “no” makes you feel like you just committed a federal crime… this episode is for you. 😅 In this episode of Balanced but Barely, Carla Jean dives into boundaries, people pleasing, emotional burnout, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and what it actually means to create a safe space for yourself without feeling selfish about it. We’re talking: * anxiety and overwhelm * healthy boundaries and communication * emotional safety in relationships * people pleasing and self-abandonment * stress management and nervous system regulation * mindfulness techniques for overwhelm and burnout * protecting your peace without guilt * how The Four Agreements can completely change the way you communicate with yourself and others You’ll learn why boundaries feel so uncomfortable, how your nervous system responds to emotional exhaustion, and why constantly overextending yourself is not the same thing as being kind. Carla Jean also shares a very real Balanced but Barely moment about having one of those chaotic “my brain has 47 tabs open” weeks—and the mindfulness tools that helped her stop spiraling and move forward anyway. This episode is for the high-functioning but emotionally exhausted people who: * answer texts in their head but never actually send them * feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions * struggle to rest without guilt * want peace but somehow keep volunteering for chaos * and are one minor inconvenience away from moving into the woods to live with squirrels No toxic positivity. No pretending to have it all together. Just honest conversations, practical tools, mindfulness, self-awareness, emotional wellness, and real-life support for anxiety, burnout, stress, boundaries, and personal growth. 🎧 Subscribe to Balanced but Barely for more conversations on mental health, emotional regulation, trauma recovery, mindfulness, self-improvement, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and figuring out life without completely losing your mind. 📲 Instagram: @_carlajean143 📺 YouTube: carlajean143 🌐 Website: www.carlajean143.com [http://www.carlajean143.com]

Friendship Breakups Hurt More Than We Admit

Friendship heartbreak is a different kind of pain—quiet, confusing, and often overlooked. In this episode of Balanced but Barely, Carla Jean dives into the deep love and trust friendships are built on, the grief we feel when a friendship changes or ends, and the boundaries needed for healthy, supportive relationships. We talk about: * feeling abandoned or outgrown by a friend * people pleasing and overgiving in friendships * emotional burnout and one-sided relationships * grief after friendship breakups * healthy communication and boundaries * learning the difference between being needed and being loved * reconnecting with yourself after losing a friendship If you’ve ever questioned your worth after a friendship ended, felt emotionally exhausted from always being “the strong one,” or struggled to set boundaries without guilt—this episode is for you. Through honest storytelling, relatable humor, and grounded conversations, this episode offers support for anyone navigating friendship loss, emotional overwhelm, self-worth, healing from toxic relationship patterns, and learning how to create healthier connections. Because friendship should feel safe—not like emotional survival mode. 🎧 Subscribe to Balanced but Barely for more conversations on anxiety, burnout, boundaries, self-awareness, emotional wellness, nervous system regulation, relationships, and personal growth. 📲 Follow on Instagram: @_carlajean143 📺 YouTube: carlajean143 🌐 www.carlajean143.com [http://www.carlajean143.com]

Your Inner Voice Needs a Rebrand: Fixing Self-Talk, Anxiety & Overwhelm

In this episode of Balanced but Barely, we’re talking about the powerful connection between self-talk, anxiety, overwhelm, nervous system regulation, communication, and personal growth. If you struggle with negative self-talk, burnout, stress, high-functioning anxiety, depression, PTSD, emotional overwhelm, people pleasing, or feeling disconnected from yourself, this episode will help you understand how your words shape your identity, mindset, mental health, and relationships. We dive into how language impacts the nervous system, how to reframe negative thoughts, improve communication, reduce stress, and build emotional resilience using practical tools rooted in mindfulness, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and behavior change. You’ll learn simple techniques for healthier communication, nervous system support, mindset shifts, stress management, self-improvement, trauma recovery, and creating more balance in everyday life. This episode is for anyone navigating burnout, life transitions, healing from trauma, anxiety management, self-love, emotional exhaustion, or the constant pressure of “holding it all together.” Through honest conversations, relatable humor, and grounded support, Balanced but Barely offers real-life tools for mental wellness, emotional wellness, mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, and creating calm in the chaos. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed but unable to slow down, emotionally drained but still pushing through, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve you—this conversation is for you. Subscribe to Balanced but Barely for more conversations on stress management, mental health, self-awareness, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, trauma healing, personal development, yoga, meditation, and emotional wellness. Follow on Instagram: @_carlajean143Subscribe on YouTube: carlajean143 Learn more at: www.carlajean143.com [http://www.carlajean.com]

You’re Not Broken - Balanced but Barely Podcast Trailer

What if healing didn’t look perfect? What if growth was messy, emotional, nonlinear… and sometimes looked like crying in your car before walking into Target like nothing happened? Welcome to Balanced but Barely, a podcast for the ones doing the inner work while still feeling like they’re barely holding it together. Hosted by Carla Jean Lundgren, this show is a safe space for real conversations about stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma healing, overwhelm, self-love, spirituality, and emotional resilience—without toxic positivity and without pretending life is always figured out. Here, we talk about what it actually means to be human: * Meditating in the morning and still spiraling by afternoon * Trying to heal trauma while still getting triggered * Working on self-improvement while forgetting why you walked into a room * Learning to regulate your nervous system… and still having hard days Because healing is not linear. And you are not broken. Through honest storytelling, relatable humor, and grounded reflection, Balanced but Barely explores what it means to build a life rooted in mental wellness, emotional balance, and personal growth, even when life feels overwhelming. This podcast is for you if you are: * Struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or emotional burnout * Feeling stuck, unseen, unheard, or alone in your healing journey * Interested in self-improvement, mindset shifts, and behavior change * Exploring spirituality, self-love, and purpose * Trying to find balance between surviving and thriving Each episode blends real-life experiences with practical insights to support your growth—without pressure, perfectionism, or shame. This is your reminder that you don’t have to have it all together to start healing. You just have to show up as you are. No perfection. No pretending. Just real life, real healing, and real conversation. If you’ve ever thought: “I should be further along by now…” “I thought I healed this already…” or “Is it just me?” You belong here. If this resonates with you, subscribe to Balanced but Barely so you never miss an episode. Follow along for daily real talk, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes healing conversations: * Instagram: @_carlajean143 * YouTube: carlajean143 (for FREE yoga and meditation videos) * Web: 👉 ⁠www.carlajean.com⁠ [http://www.carlajean.com] for more tools, resources, and support through the 143 Method You don’t have to be fully healed to be growing. You just have to start. Welcome to Balanced but Barely.