How to Escape a Shame Spiral

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About This Episode

Welcome back to Life Lessons in Hindsight, I took a bit of a break this summer but am excited to be back here with you. In this newest episode, I share a story about helping my college-bound son break free from a cycle of shame and how it reminded me of the same work I need to keep doing in my own life. What I’ve realized is that shame isn’t the real problem, negative emotions aren’t the real problem, instead, the real problem is when we get stuck in them—paralyzed, hiding, and unable to move forward. Whether it’s in parenting, relationships, career, or body image, staying in a shame spiral costs us time, opportunities, and joy. If you’ve ever found yourself hiding, avoiding, or replaying the same negative emotion over and over, this episode is a reminder that the way out isn’t waiting to “feel ready”, it’s taking the smallest next step and giving your brain something new to focus on.

Topics Discussed

• How shame shows up differently for everyone and how to recognize your own unique pattern
• The surprising moment I realized my son was stuck, and what we did in 24 hours that shifted everything
• Why awareness isn’t just about knowing the definition of shame, instead it’s about spotting it in real time in your own behavior
• The three steps to move through shame faster: awareness, action, and being okay with a “shitty first draft”
• Why perfectionism feeds shame, and how messy action is the antidote

Episode Resources

• Instagram: @coachingwithteresia
• Facebook