You've been told to repeat affirmations until you believe them. But what if there's a faster, more effective way to reprogram your brain?

In this episode, I'm breaking down why affirmations alone don't work (your brain knows when you're lying), and how asking empowering questions activates your Reticular Activating System (RAS) to search for evidence that what you want is already true.

We're diving into:✨ Why your brain argues with statements but searches for answers to questions✨ How your RAS filters reality based on what you focus on✨ The neuroscience of "open loops" and instinctive elaboration✨ Heart-brain coherence and why it's the key to becoming a vibrational match✨ Practical steps to flip your disempowering questions into empowering ones✨ How to layer in affirmations AFTER you've gathered evidence (so they actually land)

This isn't about fake-it-till-you-make-it energy. This is about training your brain to notice the proof that's already there.

You can't go back to who you were. And sometimes, even when you're grateful for who you've become, even when you wouldn't go back... you still miss what you lost along the way.

The trust that came easier. The hope that felt endless. The body that moved without pain. The version of yourself that didn't carry what you carry now—in your heart or in your bones.

In this episode, we're talking about the grief nobody wants to acknowledge: missing who you used to be and what your body used to be able to do.

In this episode:→ Why "personal growth means leaving the past behind" is a lie→ The physical and emotional losses that come with becoming who you are now→ The actual science behind why you can't go back (neuroplasticity, body changes, trauma's cellular impact)→ How to separate what's truly gone from what's just buried→ Practical steps for grieving who you were while honoring who you are now→ When grief becomes something bigger that needs attention

This episode is for you if:

• You catch yourself missing the person you used to be
• You grieve what your body used to be able to do
• You feel guilty for not being "over it" yet
• You've been told you're "living in the past" when really you're just feeling a very real loss
• You're trying to figure out how to honor what's gone while showing up for who you are now

You're not broken for feeling this. You're awake.

This episode explores the mental and emotional burden that often goes unrecognized but significantly impacts well-being. It delves into the science behind mental exhaustion, including decision fatigue and how chronic stress affects the brain. Practical strategies are provided for managing this burden, with emphasis on sharing responsibilities and setting boundaries. The discussion concludes with actionable techniques for achieving mental rest and a challenge for listeners to address their own hidden mental load.

Feeling drained? Why Empathy Fails, and Sympathy Saves Your Sanity

We all want to help, but are you confusing support with self-sacrifice?

This episode of Bliss and Mischief cuts through the noise: excessive empathy leads to emotional burnout. Learn why sympathy is the healthier, more effective path to supporting friends. We'll give you the 'compassion boundary'—a practical tool to keep you grounded, present, and totally free from compassion fatigue.

Your emotional well-being matters. Listen now to claim it back!

In this episode, you will learn:Why forced empathy is impossible and ultimatelyharms the people you are trying to help.

The fundamental difference between "feelinginto" and "feeling with."

The three steps of The Compassion Boundaryto shift from emotional collapse to being a steady resource.

This episode discusses the challenges of self-doubt and introduces the 80% rule as a powerful tool to combat analysis paralysis. It emphasizes the importance of taking action despite feelings of inadequacy and provides insights into overcoming mental barriers.

This episode of Bliss N' Mischief confronts the pervasive myth of linking self-worth to productivity. Amy guides listeners toward guilt-free rest and greater well-being by emphasizing self-compassion. She offers a powerful technique, the 'worthiness audit,' as a direct counter to the guilt associated with taking breaks, encouraging listeners to value who they are, not just what they produce.

Summary

In this episode of Bliss and Mischief, host Amy Fox-Sickels introduces the concept of 'Blisschief,' a term she and her sister coined to describe the art of navigating life's chaos. She discusses the myth that perfection is necessary for happiness and presents two paths to finding bliss: seeking lessons in chaos and practicing self-compassion when bliss feels elusive. The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to identify a piece of mischief in their lives and apply the two-path test to it.