488: The Space You Keep Avoiding – and What It's Trying to Tell You

If this episode stirred something in you, The Edit – my weekly newsletter – delivers more of these shifts straight to your inbox. Subscribe free at: schoolofselfimage.com/edit. What if the thing you've been avoiding isn't the problem… but the portal? In today's episode, I'm taking you inside a deeply personal story – one that started with a box in my garage but led somewhere I didn't expect. Because we all have something we've been walking past. A space. A conversation. A version of ourselves we quietly packed away. And what most of us don't realize is that avoidance isn't neutral. It's quietly draining the energy, clarity, and connection we need to become who we're here to be. This episode is about what happens when you finally stop walking past it – and start listening to what it's trying to tell you. Here's what we cover: • Why avoidance isn't laziness – but a fear of the emotions waiting on the other side • The hidden emotional layers behind what we avoid: disappointment, regret, fear, nostalgia, and grief • How "quiet avoidance" creates an ongoing drain on your energy, focus, and momentum • What it really means to grieve a former version of yourself – and why that matters • The realization that you haven't lost who you were – you've just lost the connection to her • Why the feelings you've been avoiding are never as heavy as the avoidance itself Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review! You can also listen to this show on YouTube and on all your favorite podcast platforms. How to Connect with Tonya Leigh Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyaleighofficial/ Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/tonyaofficial/ Twitter: https://x.com/tonyaleigh YouTube: https://schoolofselfimage.com/yt-tl