What happens when your nervous system has been living on high alert for so long that peace feels like a problem to solve?

In this deeply honest episode, Barbara shares the unexpected challenge of adjusting to calm after a lifetime of chaos. After moving back home following grad school, she found herself in the strangest predicament: finally safe, finally stable, and completely uncomfortable with both.

If you've ever felt guilty for having a good day, wondered who you are when you're not constantly overcoming something, or found yourself looking for problems when there aren't any—this episode will make you feel so much less alone.

You'll discover:

• Why your nervous system treats peace like a threat (and how to gently retrain it)
• The difference between thriving under pressure and just being addicted to stress
• How to tolerate good feelings without waiting for the other shoe to drop
• Why boredom might actually be a sign that you're finally safe
• Practical tools for adjusting to the life you've worked so hard to build

This is for anyone who's done the hard work of creating stability and now feels lost without the familiar rhythm of crisis. Because sometimes the most radical thing you can do is learn how to just... be okay.

Perfect for therapy graduates, recovering perfectionists, and anyone who's discovered that getting better comes with its own surprising challenges.

Brief mentions of chronic stress symptoms and past trauma

Connect with Barbara: @mentalnesting_ on Instagram

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What if the chaos in your life isn't evidence that you're broken, but proof that you're building something beautiful?

In this deeply personal episode, Barbara shares the metaphor that transformed how she sees her healing journey - and why thinking of yourself as "under construction" instead of "falling apart" changes everything.

After her relationship ended and a medication poisoning left her unable to walk, Barbara felt like all her progress had vanished. But a simple observation at a construction site revealed a profound truth: sometimes what looks like destruction is actually the foundation for something stronger.

You'll learn:

• Why healing phases mirror construction phases (and why the "messy middle" is necessary)
• How to celebrate milestone moments instead of waiting to be "finished"
• The difference between being broken and being under renovation
• Practical ways to honor your construction timeline without apology
• Why your sensitivity isn't a flaw in the blueprint - it's a feature

Perfect for anyone who's tired of apologizing for still figuring things out, this episode offers a gentle reframe that honors both your progress and your process.

Because messy healing is still healing. And under construction is still moving forward.

Trigger warning: Brief mentions of medication side effects and relationship endings

Connect with Barbara: @mentalnesting_ on Instagram

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