What if the version of yourself you're trying to heal isn't broken—she's just forgotten?

In this nostalgic episode, Barbara explores something that's been at the core of her Mental Nesting brand from the beginning: using nostalgia as a healing tool. Specifically, how connecting with your inner teenager—that Y2K, MySpace-era version of yourself—can unlock healing that traditional "adult" self-care never quite reaches.

While writing her ebook "Healing with Nostalgia: Using Your Past to Comfort Your Present," Barbara noticed something profound: she feels most like herself when she creates content that teenage Barbara would love. When she follows what she "should" post, she scatters and loses herself. But when she leans into that early 2000s aesthetic, everything flows naturally.

This isn't just sentimentality—there's actual science behind why nostalgia works as a nervous system regulator. Your teenage years were a time of active identity discovery, when you were trying on who you were, finding your people, discovering what music spoke to you. And accessing those memories now isn't dwelling on the past—it's reconnecting with the version of yourself who knew what you loved before you learned to edit yourself for others.

You'll discover:

• The neuroscience of why nostalgia calms your nervous system
• The difference between inner child work (healing wounds) and inner teenager work (reclaiming joy)
• How artists like Bad Bunny and Young Miko use nostalgia to create collective healing experiences
• The power of cultural nostalgia for reclaiming parts of your identity you downplayed to fit in
• Five practical steps to connect with your inner teenager without getting stuck in the past
• A journaling prompt to access what your 15-year-old self wants you to remember

This is for anyone who's ever felt more authentic scrolling through old photos than doing "proper" self-care, people who've lost touch with what genuinely excites them, and sensitive souls learning that healing isn't just about resolving wounds—it's about reclaiming joy.

Because your inner teenager isn't a phase you outgrew. She's a part of you holding crucial information about who you are when you're not performing for anyone.

Brief mentions of childhood experiences and cultural identity

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New episodes drop every Wednesday morning—perfect for your commute, morning walk, or cozy evening wind-down.

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @mentalnesting_
• Substack: mentalnesting.substack.com
• Email: hello@mentalnesting.com
• Join The Nest Community

Want to work together? I offer gentle, between-session support for therapy graduates and sensitive adults. Learn more about 1:1 coaching and community offerings at mentalnesting.com

Remember: Messy healing is still healing. You don't have to be done to be enough.

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