Perfectionism, the Inner Critic, and Breaking Through EP 60

Do you recognize this person? Relentlessly driven, often exhausted, setting extremely high expectations for herself (himself), never quite meeting them, unhappy, frustrated, short, and at the end of it?!! That's close to how Jen Sherwood describes her previous existence. In this episode, Laura and Jen dig into some of the pressures we all seem to face in life, and those particularly experienced by women – media representations of what it requires to be beautiful, healthy, young, attractive, polished, professional, etc… It's unrealistic, sometimes damaging, and not conducive to living a healthy, satisfying life if we allow ourselves to get caught up in those expectations, measures, practices. While Jen was that perfectionist, never-quite-meeting-expectations, young mom twenty years ago, she finally woke up one day and decided she wanted to feel better. Her journey started with a therapist, expanded to a coach who "rocked my world," she says… and eventually brought her to a place of discovering what fills and feeds her at a deep level. Choosing to invest in herself, her sanity, and her future, Jen earned her coaching certification and left her job as a Pediatric Audiologist and how helps women reconnect with themselves and live better lives. "I've had so much self-doubt," she explains. "When I'm vulnerable, there are so many more rich experiences…" She goes on to blast the myth about our practice of "armoring up" to go out and face the world as if we are all powerful, have it all together, and cannot be hurt by others. The truth is, we carry this heavy armor, but it doesn't actually protect us; we still experience the hurts of life. Jennifer's Bio Jennifer Sherwood works with women who are overwhelmed, feel pulled between the demands of work and home, rarely make time for themselves, and worry that this is as good as it gets. She helps them move themselves up on the priority list so can build a life they LOVE, not just tolerate.  Jen is a certified coach, speaker, and blogger. She is passionate about women making time for themselves so they can show up in their lives the way they want to...not stressed and resentful. Jen holds a master's degree in Audiology (aka hearing science) and her previous career focus was in pediatrics, which means she knows a thing or two about working with women, moms, and families in times of stress or uncertainty.  Connect with Jennifer: Jennifer Online Jennifer on Facebook Jennifer on Instagram -- @jensherwood22