Unpacking Your Mind

Why We Avoid Doing 'The Thing'

Episode 6: Why We Avoid Doing 'The Thing' Have you ever spent an entire day avoiding one task, only to finally do it and realize it took eight minutes? In this episode of Just Breathe, We explore one of the most human patterns we all experience: avoidance. Not the kind that comes from laziness or lack of motivation, but the kind that comes from a brain and nervous system trying to protect us from discomfort. We'll talk about why organizing the pantry suddenly feels urgent when there's an important email waiting, how our thoughts create emotional weight around simple tasks, and why we often spend far more time suffering over something than actually doing it. You'll learn: * Why avoidance is often protection, not procrastination * How your nervous system interprets emotional discomfort * The hidden thoughts that create overwhelm * A simple coaching question that helps uncover what's really going on * How awareness can help you move forward with more compassion and less self-criticism Along the way, we'll look at examples from scripture, explore the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and practice a gentle breathing exercise to help you approach the thing you've been avoiding with curiosity instead of judgment. Because sometimes the thing we've dreaded for twelve hours really does only take eight minutes. And sometimes understanding ourselves is the bravest step of all. https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/calm [https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/calm]

There are 2 Sides to Every Coin

Episode 5: There Are Two Sides to Every Coin What if the very thing you've spent years criticizing about yourself is connected to one of your greatest strengths? In this episode of Just Breathe, I'm inviting you to look at yourself through a different lens. I think many of us spend years staring at our weaknesses, flaws, insecurities, and perceived shortcomings without ever stopping to flip the coin over and see what's on the other side. The trait you call "too emotional," "too shy," "too much," or "not enough" may also be the source of your compassion, courage, awareness, connection, or resilience. In this conversation, I share personal examples, coaching insights, and lessons from Moses and Peter that have helped me see human nature differently. Together, we'll explore why shame keeps us stuck, why our brains tend to focus on only one side of the story, and how curiosity creates far more growth than self-criticism ever will. If you've ever wished you could change parts of yourself, felt frustrated by your personality, or carried around the belief that you're somehow falling short, this episode is for you. In this episode, we'll explore: * Why many strengths and struggles come from the very same source * How shame keeps us stuck and curiosity creates change * What Moses and Peter teach us about weakness and growth * A simple coaching question that can shift self-judgment into self-awareness * A guided breathing exercise to help you see yourself more completely My hope is that by the end of this episode, you'll stop looking at yourself through the lens of condemnation and start seeing yourself with a little more compassion. Because maybe the goal isn't becoming someone different. Maybe it's learning to see the whole coin. Until next time, friend... just breathe. ❤️

🎙 Episode 4: My Story - Your Brain Is Not the Enemy

In this episode, I’m sharing a very personal story about my first brain MRI and how it unexpectedly became one of the biggest turning points in my understanding of anxiety, nervous systems, and the stories we rehearse inside our minds. For a long time, I thought peace would come when I finally stopped feeling anxious or overwhelmed. But what I’ve learned is this: My brain was never the enemy. It was trying to protect me. In this episode, I talk about what it looked like to stop fighting my own mind and start working with it instead. I share how fear can quietly train our nervous systems to stay emotionally braced for life and how so many women are walking around exhausted, reactive, and overloaded without even realizing how much pressure they’re carrying internally. I also walk you through the mindset shift that completely changed my MRI experiences over the last six years and honestly, changed so much more than that. Inside this episode, I share: • My very first brain MRI experience and the anxiety spiral that came with it • The moment I realized I needed to stop rehearsing fear • How changing the story changed the experience • Why our nervous systems stay “braced” for bad news, conflict, and overwhelm • The difference between noticing fear and becoming consumed by it • A calming mindfulness exercise using the metaphor of a boat on the ocean • Why I believe peace comes from learning to steady ourselves inside hard things If your mind has been loud lately… If you feel emotionally overloaded, reactive, anxious, or exhausted… I hope this episode reminds you that you are not failing. You are human. And you do not have to believe every fearful thought that passes through your mind. ✨ I’m also currently offering a handful of free 20-minute sessions where I help women identify the biggest patterns keeping them emotionally overwhelmed and constantly bracing for life. Because most women are not broken. They’re overloaded. And sometimes one honest conversation can change everything. Grab a spot!https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/offers/g39tf9nH [https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/offers/g39tf9nH]  https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/offers/g39tf9nH And until next time… Just breathe.

Episode 3: The Real Reason Simple Things Suddenly Feel Overwhelming

Why does one small comment, mess, text, or stressful moment suddenly feel like it sends your whole body into overload? In this episode of Just Breathe, I’m sharing a real family rafting story that perfectly captures what’s actually happening beneath overwhelm… and why the same experience can feel completely different to different people. We’re talking about: *  why your brain starts spiraling before anything has even happened  *  the “motivational triad” and how your nervous system is constantly trying to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and conserve energy  *  why moms so often end up stuck in reaction mode  *  how fear-based thoughts quietly compound until simple things suddenly feel HUGE  *  and how to step out of survival mode and back into the driver’s seat  This episode is for the mom who feels mentally exhausted, emotionally reactive, and confused why life suddenly feels heavier than it used to. Maybe nothing has gone wrong... Your brain may just be trying to protect you the only way it knows how. Take a breath.  You’re not crazy.  You’re human. 💛 https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/calm [https://marywilliamscoach.mykajabi.com/calm]

Episode 2: Same River, Different Ride

🎙 Episode 2: Same River, Different Ride Have you ever noticed how the exact same situation can feel completely different depending on the day? One moment you’re calm and steady… the next, the same thing feels like too much. In this episode, I share a story from a family river rafting trip where everyone experienced the same rapid — but walked away with completely different feelings about it. And honestly… it’s the same thing happening in our homes every day. We’re not just reacting to what’s happening. We’re reacting to the story our brain creates about what’s happening. When you start to see that, everything begins to shift. What we talk about: * Why the same moment can feel easy one day and overwhelming the next * The difference between what actually happened and what your brain made it mean * How your thoughts shape your feelings (often without you noticing) * Why your brain jumps to protect you and how that shows up in real life * A simple way to pause before reacting and create more space in the moment A simple tool to take with you: Before you react, try this: Pause and get curious. Instead of: “What does this mean about me?” Try: “Huh… that’s interesting.” “I wonder what’s going on for her.” Let the moment stay about the other person — instead of turning it into a story about you. That small shift can change everything. A quick reminder: Nothing has gone wrong. Your brain is doing what it’s designed to do — protect you, scan for danger, and fill in the blanks. But you don’t have to believe every thought it offers. You can pause. You can breathe. You can choose what you do next. Try this: Take one minute today to pause in a moment that feels off. Not to fix it. Not to figure it out. Just to notice: What actually happened… and what your brain is saying about it. That space is where things start to change. If this episode resonated: Share it with a friend who might need it too. And come back when you need a reset. Less panic. More peace. Real conversations.