Episode Details

We are revisiting this episode this week and we’ll be back next week with some exciting news! Break free from the 'I should' trap and embrace a mindset of self-compassion and growth. Join host Valerie Mekki, a career change guide, as she dives into how a seemingly innocent two-word phrase, 'I should,' can secretly sabotage your self-confidence and motivation. She explores the impact of unrealistic expectations and how they often lead to guilt and shame, especially during career changes. 

Discover the transformative impact of 'I am' statements over 'I should,' and take part in a simple but eye-opening exercise that will help you eliminate 'I should' from your inner dialogue. She also shares a transformative affirmation practice with, 'I Am Doing My Best and Releasing All Unrealistic Expectations, Creating Room for Growth and Possibilities.' It's time to cultivate self-compassion, prioritize personal growth, and unlock your true potential.

Show Notes and Timestamps:

[00:01:05] Intro

[00:01:38] The word should. What does it really mean? 

[00:02:44] Expectations in comparison to others

[00:03:24] When expectations are rigid

[00:04:43] Let's flip the script

[00:05:43] A simple exercise that can help you eliminate ‘I should’ from inner dialogue

[00:06:39] Start of affirmation

[00:09:38] End of affirmation 

[00:10:05] Make your affirmation practice S.T.I.C.K.Y 

[00:11:52] End of episode


Learn a better way to have a healthier and kinder inner dialogue with yourself. Check out episode #14 for full details. And if you’re curious about how to make your affirmations sticky, listen to episode 1 and I’ll walk you through how to make your affirmation practice a more effective and transformative tool for your career-changing journey. 

You’re listening to the right show, formerly known as the Mindful Life Changes or Mindful Career Change. We’ve pivoted through the years, but finally landed on the right path: content for moms in the ‘Sandwich Generation’, because midlife disruption doesn't have to break you. 

New episodes drop on:

• Sundays: 20-min episodes addressing common midlife challenges with practical strategies plus a mindfulness practice (affirmations, mantras, or meditations)
• Wednesdays: Bite-sized episodes to reinforce Sunday's mindfulness technique & reset your week

More from The Mindful Midlife Mom:

Discover Valerie's articles on ohhellomidlife.com or watch her videos on YouTube @ohhellomidlife

This podcast explores patience, meditation, confidence, presence, and overcoming resentment while cultivating calm, peace, mindfulness, clarity, mantras, and addressing loneliness and burn out; it covers boundaries, caregiving, guilt, affirmations, working moms, self-care, midlife crisis, empty nesters, empowerment, people pleasing, compassion fatigue, family caregiving, stress relief, self-worth, stress management, and how to shift from reactive to centered when feeling short tempered, offering tools for self acceptance, easing mental exhaustion, building emotional resilience, harnessing inner strength, and preventing caregiver fatigue for those in the sandwich generation through expert advice on boundaries setting.