Summary Why am I so dry?—a phrase that captures burnout and that “dried up” feeling so many women know too well when we’re overextended, under-resourced, and still expected to keep giving. In this episode, Meredith and Devany name how dryness can look like constant overdoing until there’s nothing left… or freezing in overwhelm because the weight of expectations feels crushing.
Devany shares how COVID’s forced stillness revealed her reliance on external validation and the belief that doing more made her lovable. Meredith reflects on her own dryness as a hollow, crispy version of herself—like the cicada shell left behind when you’ve been living in someone else’s story. Together, they explore satisfaction as a compass for self-trust, the red flag of justification, and why love is not transactional. They offer practical ways for women to reconnect with their “us-ness” and remind us that the soul is self-watering when we make space to listen.
Keywords burnout, women’s stories, emotional dryness, self-discovery, worthiness, external validation, satisfaction, love vs. transaction, us-ness, self-nourishment, spirituality, motherhood, somatic practices, neurodivergence, authenticity, boundaries, centering prayer, human design
Takeaways
- Emotional dryness often comes from being under-resourced.
- External validation can mask deeper needs.
- Self-worth is shaped by culture, family, and conditioning.
- Satisfaction is a compass for alignment.
- The soul replenishes itself when we slow down.
Sound Bites
- “The way out of dryness is coming back to your body, for your body to say, ‘This is true’ or ‘This isn’t true’—and it’s slow.”
- “The right thing needs no justification.”
- “The soul is self-watering.”
- “Love speaks through desire.”
- “Your us-ness already belongs here.”
- “Our effect on this world depends on the degree of how ‘us’ we are.”
Resources Mentioned
- Centering Prayer — Cynthia Bourgeault (going below the stream of consciousness;
- Christian contemplative teacher) — cynthiabourgeault.org
- The Work on the Three Centers — G.I. Gurdjieff (balancing intellectual, emotional, and moving centers) — gurdjieff.org
- Human Design — System for understanding energy types (e.g., Manifesting Generator, Projector)
Practices Mentioned - Centering Prayer — Sitting in stillness, resting with the “seed” of your truest self.
- Gathering Yourself In — Pausing to ask, “What matters to me today?” before saying yes.
- Noticing Justification — Recognizing that the right thing needs no justification.
Invitations:
Relax into Energetic Support with Hibernate Healing — Step into a hideaway where your body, spirit, and heart are met with care. Meredith offers energy healing, shamanic practices, and spiritual guidance to help you release, restore, and reconnect with your deepest self. Whether you need deep rest, emotional release, or spiritual clarity, sessions are available in person (Austin, TX) or online. Visit sparklecirclehealing.com until the rebrand is complete.
Come Home to Your Center with Illumine Within — Step into a quiet, spacious circle where your embodied self is met with care. Centering Circles weave somatic grounding, Centering Prayer, and reflective listening, all held in compassionate presence. Whether you seek stillness, self-trust, or nourishing community, these circles offer sanctuary for your inner life. Gatherings are on Zoom or in person, with seasonal sessions and resources at illuminewithin.com.
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