Healing Is My Hobby

What happens when you finally have nothing to do?For some of us, the answer isn't relief. It's discomfort.In the Season 2 premiere of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica explores what happens when productivity becomes more than a habit and starts functioning as a way to manage anxiety, uncertainty, and nervous system activation.In this episode, you'll explore:Why productivity itself isn't the problemHow your brain learns from the relief you get after doing, fixing, checking, or controllingWhy anxiety can sometimes look incredibly productiveThe difference between “this needs to be done” and “I need to do this so I can feel okay”How identity and worth can become connected to productivityA simple experiment for creating more space between discomfort and actionReady to Go Deeper?Why You Can't Stop is Jessica's seven-module, self-paced course for people who are really good at doing—but have a much harder time stopping.LAUNCH WEEK: $197 EARLY-BIRD PRICINGAfter the first week, enrollment is $247. A payment plan is also available.Explore Why You Can't Stop, My Nervous System Regulation Plan, and Jessica's other courses and resources at:👉 Available at heal.jessicacolarcolcsw.comYour Healing ExperimentThe next time you feel an urgent need to do, pause and ask:Does this actually need action right now—or am I looking for relief?Healing Is My Hobby and its accompanying courses and resources are educational and are not therapy or a substitute for individualized mental health treatment.Nervous System Regulation Plan — not ready for the full course yet? This fillable workbook helps you identify what regulation feels like for you, your earliest signs of activation and shutdown, your go-to coping behaviors, and the strategies that actually work for your nervous system. 👉 heal.jessicacolarcolcsw.comComing Up Next WeekYou've finished work, sat on the couch, even taken the day off — and somehow you still can't relax. Next week: why rest doesn't feel restful, and what happens when your body stops but your nervous system doesn't.Connect📩 Newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 @healingismyhobby on Instagram ▶️ YouTube at youtube.com/@healingismyhobby 🩺 jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📷 @jessicacolarcolcswproductivity anxiety, nervous system regulation, why you can't stop, anxiety and productivity, activation vs stillness, coping mechanisms, high achiever anxiety, rest and guilt, nervous system dysregulation, trauma-informed therapy, CBT, self-worth and achievement, people pleasing, perfectionism, chronic busyness, burnout, mental health podcast, therapist podcast, Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco LCSW, Why You Can't Stop course

This week, Jessica closes out the summer Healing Moments series with an invitation: what if you let yourself be uncomfortable — on purpose?Not unsafe. Not overwhelmed. Just uncomfortable. For anyone who identifies as an overachiever, a fixer, or a chronic doer, stillness itself can feel unbearable — and productivity often becomes a quiet way of avoiding harder feelings like uncertainty, boredom, or loneliness.This week's practice: Find 5–10 minutes and intentionally don't fill them. No phone, no podcast, no folding laundry, no to-do list. Just sit — with your coffee, on the porch, wherever. Notice what comes up: the urge to reach for your phone, a sudden memory of everything you "should" be doing, restlessness, even guilt. Instead of chasing the discomfort away, try sitting with the thought: I can be uncomfortable and still be okay.Healing isn't always about finding the next thing to do. Sometimes it's discovering that you can stay with yourself when you're doing nothing at all.Season 2 of Healing Is My Hobby starts later this week. 🎉Connect📩 Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 Follow on Instagram: @healingismyhobby ▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@healingismyhobby 🩺 Learn about Jessica's clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📷 Follow Jessica's clinical page: @jessicacolarcolcsw

This is the last journal prompt of the summer — and next week's Healing Moment is the final one before Season 2 launches. So this week's prompt is about making space for what's next by naming what you're ready to release.Today's prompt: What do I want to leave behind before September?Some ways to go deeper:What thought pattern have you been dragging around all summer (or longer) that you're genuinely tired of?Is there a habit or coping behavior that's stopped serving you?Is there a relationship dynamic, resentment, or expectation you're willing to loosen your grip on?Is there a smaller, more fearful, more apologetic version of yourself you're ready to stop leading with?You don't have to be fully ready to release it — you just have to be willing to name it. Write it down, then write this: I am willing to leave this behind. I don't need it where I'm going.A first look at Why You Can't Stop 🌱 Jessica shared a first glimpse behind the scenes at Why You Can't Stop — a 7-module, self-paced course for anyone whose nervous system has been stuck in go mode for so long that stopping feels unsafe. It's designed to help you understand the pattern, not just white-knuckle through it. Launching in September, with more details coming soon.Season 2 of Healing Is My Hobby begins next Monday. 🎉Connect📩 Newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 @healingismyhobby on Instagram ▶️ YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby 🩺 jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📷 @jessicacolarcolcsw on Instagram

So many of us are waiting for the moment we finally "arrive." When we lose the weight. When the kids need us less. When work calms down. When we're more organized, more confident, more together... then we'll be happy. Then we'll rest.But what if there isn't an arrival point? In this trailer, Jessica and Kelly open up Season 6 with a question that changes everything: what if this is it? Not in a depressing way, but in a freeing one. Maybe your life isn't something you have to perfect before you're allowed to enjoy it. Maybe you can be proud of who you are and still want to grow. Maybe rest doesn't have to be earned, and starting something before you feel ready is allowed too.This season isn't about becoming the perfect version of yourself. It's about becoming more you.Season 6 of Chasing Brighter, Becoming Not Arriving, begins September 3rd.In This Episode:Why the idea of "arrival" keeps so many of us stuckLetting go of the myth that you have to be finished before you can be happyGrowth that's real, rest that's earned, and a life that's actually yoursWhat to expect from Season 6Season 6 begins September 3rd. Subscribe now so you don't miss it.Find us: Website: chasingbrighter.com Instagram/TikTok: @chasingbrighterKeywords: chasing brighter, becoming not arriving, season 6, personal growth, self acceptance, letting go of perfectionism, rest without guilt, women's podcast, sisters podcast, real over perfect, growth mindset, self worth, starting before you're ready, permission to rest, life transitions

As summer winds down and the back-to-school transition sets in, that low hum of anticipation and dread can make it hard to stay present. In this Healing Moment, Jessica walks you through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique, one of the most effective tools for anxiety, dissociation, and overwhelm. Using your five senses, this practice pulls you out of the future-focused spiral of anxiety and back into your body, back into the only moment you're actually in.Jessica also shares a preview of her upcoming course, Why You Can't Stop, launching this September, including the concept of "productivity as safety" and why your nervous system doesn't track your to-do list, it tracks danger and safety.What You'll LearnWhy the 5-4-3-2-1 technique works: anxiety lives in the future, and grounding pulls you back into the presentA full guided walkthrough of the exercise, from five things you can see down to one thing you can tasteHow to use this tool during seasonal transitions, high-anxiety mornings, or any time your mind won't stopA first look at "productivity as safety," one of the seven core concepts in Jessica's upcoming courseTimestamps00:05 — Welcome back and the back-to-school anxiety shift00:40 — Introducing the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique01:10 — Course preview: Why You Can't Stop and "productivity as safety"02:00 — Guided practice begins: 5 things you can see02:20 — 4 things you can feel02:35 — 3 things you can hear02:50 — 2 things you can smell03:05 — 1 thing you can taste03:20 — Why grounding works: anxiety lives in the future03:45 — Closing and where to connectKeywords & Search Terms5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique, grounding exercises for anxiety, anxiety and dissociation, overwhelm coping tools, back to school anxiety, seasonal transition anxiety, present moment awareness, mindfulness for anxiety, five senses grounding, nervous system regulation, productivity as safety, Why You Can't Stop course, anxious striving, trauma informed therapy, CBT grounding tools, somatic anxiety relief, healing is my hobby podcast, Jessica Colarco LCSW, therapy tools for everyday life, self-soothing techniquesConnect With Jessica🌐 Website: healingismyhobby.com📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby▶️ YouTube: @healingismyhobby🩺 Clinical Practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com📸 Clinical Instagram: @jessicacolarcolcswKeep healing. You're worth it.

This week's Healing Moment is an action step Jessica uses regularly in her clinical work: writing an unsent letter. It's a simple, powerful practice for releasing what you've been holding onto — honestly, and without ever having to send it.What You'll LearnAn unsent letter is written with full honesty, knowing it will never reach its recipient. It's not about the person on the other end — it's about you, and what needs somewhere to go. Jessica offers a few starting points for who or what you might write to:A person who hurt you, disappointed you, or left something unresolved between youA version of yourself — younger, older, or one you had to leave behindA situation that didn't go the way you needed it toA loss you've never fully namedSomething you're ready to let go of, but haven't found the words for yetThe instructions are simple: start with "Dear ___," and let it come. Don't edit. Don't make it fair or balanced. When you're done, the letter is yours to burn, delete, fold away, or keep — there's no wrong answer. The healing is in the writing itself.Jessica also touches on why this practice works: emotions like grief, anger, love, longing, and guilt need expression to move. Left locked inside, they don't disappear — they go underground and show up sideways. The unsent letter gives them somewhere to go.A Note From JessicaJessica leaves listeners with a reflection question to sit with this week: When was the last time you truly relaxed and let go? She also shares a small teaser about the bigger project she's been working on behind the scenes.Connect With Jessica📩 Sign up for the newsletter: healingismyhobby.com 📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby ▶️ YouTube: Healing Is My Hobby 🩺 Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📸 Practice Instagram: @jessicacolarcounsent letter, unsent letter therapy, letter writing exercise, therapeutic writing, expressive writing, emotional release, letting go exercise, processing grief, processing anger, unresolved emotions, journaling for healing, writing to heal, closure without sending, clinical writing exercise, healing moments, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco LCSW, mental health podcast, therapy podcast, self-care practice, emotional regulation, letting go of the past, therapeutic journaling prompt, grief and anger release, how to write an unsent letter

It's the first Monday of August, and Jessica invites listeners to pause and take stock — not of who they want to be, but of who they've actually been this summer. In this week's Healing Moment, she offers a gentle, guided journal prompt designed to help you see yourself clearly, honestly, and without judgment.What You'll Reflect OnThis episode is a journaling exercise built around one core question: "Who have I been this summer?" Jessica walks through a series of follow-up prompts to help you go deeper:What has she needed most — rest, connection, space, to be seen, to be left alone?What has she been carrying that she didn't ask for?Where has she shown up beautifully, even if no one noticed?Where has she been hard on herself when she deserved more grace?What has brought her joy this season, even in small amounts?What has felt heavy, stuck, or unresolved?What does she need from you in the next four weeks before fall arrives?Jessica reminds listeners that this reflection isn't about critique — it's about witnessing yourself the way a good therapist or a loving friend would: with curiosity, not judgment.A Note From JessicaJessica also teases something bigger she's been working on behind the scenes, with more details coming soon.Connect With Jessica📩 Sign up for the newsletter: healingismyhobby.com 📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby ▶️ YouTube: Healing Is My Hobby 🩺 Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📸 Practice Instagram: @jessicacolarcojournal prompt, self-reflection, summer reflection, who have I been, self-witnessing, self-compassion, self-inquiry, journaling for mental health, nervous system regulation, self-compassion practice, curiosity not judgment, seeing yourself clearly, self-grace, summer self-care, end of summer reflection, therapeutic journaling, guided journal prompt, healing moments, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco LCSW, mental health podcast, therapy podcast, self-care practice, mindfulness journaling, radical self-acceptance

Summer is beautiful, but summer can also be a lot — family in town, packed schedules, travel logistics, heat, and the slow creep toward the end of the season. In this Healing Moments episode, Jessica closes out July with a simple, clinical, and highly effective nervous system tool: box breathing.Also known as square breathing, this technique is used by athletes, surgeons, and Navy SEALs to stay regulated under pressure — and Jessica leans on it herself, often right in her car between one thing and the next. It's four equal sides of a breath: inhale, hold, exhale, hold, each for a count of four. Jessica walks you through it live, guiding you through three full rounds so you can feel the shift in real time.You'll learn why it works — how the rhythm interrupts anxious spiraling, slows your breathing rate to signal safety to your brain, and brings you back into your body and the present moment. And you'll leave with a tool you can use anywhere: in the car, mid-family-dinner-escalation, when travel plans fall apart, or when you're in a crowded space and your chest starts to tighten.In this episode:What box breathing is and why it's used across high-pressure professionsThe importance of nose-in, mouth-out breathingA live, guided practice of three rounds of box breathingThe nervous system science behind why it worksWhen to reach for this tool in real lifeConnect with Jessica: Newsletter & Blog: https://www.healingasmyhobby.com Instagram: instagram.com/healingismyhobby YouTube: youtube.com/@healingismyhobby Clinical Practice: https://www.jessicacolarcolcsw.com Practice Instagram: instagram.com/jessicacolarcolcswbox breathing, square breathing, nervous system regulation, anxiety tools, stress management, summer stress, breathwork, grounding techniques, Navy SEAL breathing, panic response, present moment awareness, healing moments, self-regulation, mindfulness practice, trauma-informed breathing, quick calming techniques, anxiety relief, nervous system toolkit

Three weeks into the summer series, Jessica shifts from reflection to action. Wellness culture hands us an endless to-do list, meditate, journal, hydrate, ground, breathe, and when the list is endless, we end up doing none of it. This week's Healing Moment is about choosing just one anchor practice to carry you through the rest of the summer.What You'll LearnWhy an endless wellness checklist often leads to doing nothing at allHow to choose your one anchor practice by reflecting on what's stuck with you or asking what your nervous system needs most (calm, expression, or presence)Why making your practice small enough that you can't fail is the key to consistencyJessica's own anchor practice this summer: a ten-minute, no-phone morning before opening anythingTry It YourselfChoose one healing practice to anchor your summer:Think back over past practices, grounding, breathwork, slow crafting, news fasting, journaling, somatic tools, compassion practices. What's something that stuck with you?If nothing comes to mind, ask what your nervous system needs most right now: calm, expression, or presence?Make it small enough that you can't fail, three sentences instead of a full journal entry, three conscious breaths instead of 20 minutes of meditation.Write it down somewhere you'll see it: your phone, your journal, a sticky note, your mirror.Name your anchor and where it fits into your day. The goal isn't transformation by September, it's consistency.Connect📩 Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 @healingismyhobby (Instagram) ▶️ Healing Is My Hobby (YouTube) 🩺 jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📷 @jessicacolarcolcsw (Instagram)one thing rule, anchor practice, summer series, healing moments, consistency over perfection, self-support, nervous system needs, small habits, wellness culture, sustainable healing, daily ritual, simplicity, self-care practice, grounding, healing through consistency

This week's Healing Moment isn't a breathing technique, it's a question. Jessica invites you to slow down and sit with a journal prompt designed to uncover what rest truly means to you, beyond the wellness buzzwords. Because before you can prioritize rest, you have to actually know what it looks and feels like for you personally.What You'll LearnWhy most people chase the idea of rest without ever defining what it actually means to themThe difference between rest that restores you and rest that's just downtime shadowed by guiltHow to identify what's really getting in the way of rest, external responsibilities or internal beliefs about earning your worthWhy rest is a biological need and a healing practice, not a reward for productivityTry It YourselfGrab something to write with, a journal, your notes app, even a napkin, and sit with this prompt:What does rest actually mean to me?Then, let whichever of these follow-up questions pull at you lead the way:When I imagine truly resting, what does that look like? What am I doing? Where am I? Who is or isn't there?When I rest, do I actually feel restored, or does guilt, the to-do list, or a sense that I should be doing something else follow me in?What gets in the way of real rest for me? Is it external (kids, work, responsibilities) or internal (a belief that I have to earn it)?When was the last time I genuinely rested, and what made that possible?What would I need to let go of, even temporarily, to give myself that again this summer?Let it be honest. Nobody is reading this but you.Connect📩 Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 @healingismyhobby (Instagram) ▶️ Healing Is My Hobby YouTube 🩺 jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📷 @jessicacolarcolcsw (Instagram)rest, journal prompt, self-reflection, nervous system healing, summer series, healing moments, rest vs. productivity, worthiness, guilt and rest, defining rest, biological need, healing practice, self-inquiry, restorative rest, burnout recovery

This summer's Healing Moments series kicks off with one of Jessica's favorite go-to tools: the 4-7-8 breath. In under three minutes, this simple breathing technique can shift your nervous system out of stress mode and into rest and restore. Jessica walks you through it step-by-step, so you can practice it right along with her and start using it anywhere you need a reset.What You'll LearnHow the 4-7-8 breathing technique works: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8Why the extended exhale is the key to activating your parasympathetic nervous systemHow this breath sends your brain a signal of safety, interrupting the stress response cyclePractical, anywhere-anytime uses: before a hard conversation, in a chaotic moment, at work, in the parking lot, wherever you need itTry It YourselfFind a comfortable position, sitting, lying down, or standing. Close your eyes if it feels safe, or soften your gaze downward. Then follow along:Inhale through your nose for 4 counts → Hold for 7 counts → Exhale slowly for 8 countsRepeat three times, and notice what shifts.Connect📩 Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 @healingismyhobby (Instagram) ▶️ Healing Is My Hobby (YouTube) 🩺 jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📷 @jessicacolarcolcsw (Instagram)4-7-8 breath, breathing technique, nervous system regulation, parasympathetic nervous system, stress response, healing moments, summer series, rest and restore, anxiety relief, quick reset, mindfulness, somatic tools, nervous system reset, stress management, breathwork

It's the Season One finale of Healing Is My Hobby! Jessica takes you on a month-by-month journey through everything we explored together this year — from grounding in October to identity in June. She revisits the biggest reframes, the healing lab experiments, and the tools that mattered most, then sends you into summer with five practical ways to carry your healing forward. Plus, a first look at what's coming next: weekly summer micro-episodes starting July 7th, and a Season Two reveal in September.In This Episode:A month-by-month recap of Season One's themes: grounding (October), burnout (November), social media and the nervous system (December), anxiety (January), regulation (February), trauma (March), grief (April), shame (May), and identity (June)The healing lab experiments that shaped the season — warm water therapy, slow crafting, and a four-day social media resetThe reframe that changed everything: "What happened to me?" instead of "What's wrong with me?"Why regulation isn't the same as being calm — and why it's not selfishThe difference between guilt and shame, and why shame heals in relationshipFive tips for carrying your healing into summer: keep one tool, regulate before the chaos hits, let grief move, protect your digital peace, and do something slow just becauseAn announcement: Healing Moments, a summer series of short weekly micro-episodes starting Monday, July 7thA tease for Season Two, launching in SeptemberKey Takeaways:Healing doesn't have to be complicated — sometimes it's a five-minute journal entry or a single boundary.Burnout recovery needs small, consistent moments of nervous system repair, not a two-week vacation.Your worth is not measured in likes. Post and leave. Share and close the app.Anxiety isn't your enemy — it's your nervous system trying to protect you.You don't have to justify your grief. If it mattered, losing it deserves space.Shame collapses inward; guilt can be a compass. Shame heals when it's witnessed.Identity is the story you carry about who you are — and you get to author it yourself.You are not a project to fix. You are a person to support.What's Next:Starting Monday, July 7th, join Jessica every week this summer for Healing Moments — short micro-episodes with a guided breathing practice, a journal prompt, or a small action step to keep you supported all summer long. Season Two begins in September.Connect with Jessica:📩 Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📷 Follow on Instagram: @healingismyhobby ▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: Healing Is My Hobby 🩺 Learn more about Jessica's clinical practice: https://jessicacolarcolcsw.com/ 📷 Follow her clinical work on Instagram: @jessicacolarcolcswhealing, season one recap, nervous system, grounding, burnout, social media detox, anxiety, regulation, trauma, disenfranchised grief, ambiguous loss, shame vs guilt, identity, self-compassion, mental health podcast, summer wellness, healing moments, micro episodes, trauma-informed, somatic healing

Are the stories you tell about yourself actually true — or are they ones you inherited, adapted, or took on to survive? This month's Healing Lab experiment is deceptively simple: spend seven days noticing every fixed label you use to describe yourself, and ask one question — is this true, or is this adapted?In this episode, Jessica walks you through the clinical framework behind this experiment (narrative therapy and the research of psychologist Dan McAdams), explains how repeated self-stories literally become the self we inhabit, and guides you through a small but powerful practice: catching the story, holding it up to the light, and trying a gentle rewrite when you're ready.This isn't about tearing yourself down. It's about getting intentional — keeping what's genuinely yours and loosening your grip on what was never really yours to begin with.This week's experiment:For the next seven days, notice every time you use a fixed label to describe yourself — out loud or in your head. Pause and ask: is this actually who I am, or is this who I learned to be? If the answer is adapted or inherited, try one small rewrite. Not a declaration — just something a little more honest and a little more spacious than the original.Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here. Contact Jessica here. Let's connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/ | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby | Would you like to learn more about Jessica's clinical practice? Click here.Resources & Links:Narrative therapy and the self-narrative research of Dan McAdamsidentity therapy, narrative therapy, fixed labels, self-concept, adapted roles, who am I, identity healing, inner narrative, self-limiting beliefs, IFS, parts work, emotional healing podcast, mental health podcast, anxiety therapy, LCSW podcast, healing podcast for women, self-awareness, internalized beliefs, identity work, Jessica Colarco LCSW

You've been going through your life and somewhere along the way, you stopped recognizing yourself. Maybe you feel like you're watching from the outside. Maybe you wake up and wonder if this is actually your life. If that resonates, this episode is for you.In this final episode of June's Identity series, Jessica puts a clinical name to an experience so many people are quietly living: identity disruption. She breaks down what's actually happening in the brain and nervous system when trauma, chronic stress, or major life transitions crack your sense of self open, and she makes a distinction that matters deeply: identity collapse versus identity evolution.This episode is a reminder that the disorientation you're feeling isn't a breakdown. It's a becoming.What You'll Hear:What identity disruption is and why it's a recognized psychological phenomenon, not a personal failingHow the brain disconnects you from a felt sense of self as a protective response to trauma and chronic stressThe spectrum of depersonalization and derealization, including the subtle, low-grade versions most people have learned to live withWhy major life transitions (divorce, loss, parenthood, career changes, ending defining relationships) can destabilize identity at the rootThe difference between identity collapse and identity evolution, and why they can feel identical from the insideWhat integration actually means, and why it's not about going back to who you were beforeWhy the distortion isn't the problem; it's the passageConnect With Jessica:Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.comFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyLearn about Jessica's clinical practice at jessicacolarcolcsw.com | @jessicacolarcolcswidentity disruption, trauma response, identity crisis, depersonalization, derealization, identity collapse, identity evolution, core self, adapted self, IFS therapy, chronic stress, nervous system, life transitions, grief and identity, divorce recovery, major life change, who am I, PTSD and identity, trauma and self, integration and healing, midlife identity, self-concept, psychological healing, trauma-informed therapy, anxiety and identity, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco LCSW

A guided identity workout to help you sort the roles you've chosen from the ones you've just been carrying.Episode OverviewThis episode is part of the June identity series and follows Episode 1's exploration of where identity comes from. In this Therapy Is My Cardio segment, Jessica guides listeners through a structured, journal-based workout to surface their roles — and honestly assess which ones were chosen, which were inherited, and which were born out of survival.Just like a real workout, this episode has a warm-up, a hard middle, and a cool-down. Listeners are invited to grab a journal or simply move through the exercise in their heads — but either way, show up ready to be honest.What You'll Explore in This EpisodeHow to identify all the roles you currently hold — including the invisible onesA three-category sorting framework: Chosen, Inherited, and Survival rolesWhy high-achieving, high-functioning people often find their most defining roles in the Inherited and Survival categoriesHow survival roles quietly become personality — and what it costs us when we stop questioning themA closing reflection question to sit with through the weekThe Role-Sorting ExerciseStep 1 — List Your Roles Write down every role you currently hold. Include the obvious ones (mom, partner, employee, friend) and the invisible ones — the peacemaker, the one who holds it together, the responsible one, the helper, the one who's always fine.Step 2 — Sort Into Three CategoriesChosen — Roles you actively want. They feel like you. You'd choose them again.Inherited — Roles given to you by your family, culture, birth order, gender, or social expectations — already in place before you had a say.Survival — Roles you took on because you had to. They kept you safe, kept the peace, helped you belong or avoid conflict or earn love. They were never consciously chosen — they were adaptive.Step 3 — Look at the Whole Picture Where did most of your roles land? If the bulk of your most defining roles are in Inherited or Survival — that's not a weakness. It's what happens when we grow up in systems that had needs, and we were the ones who met them.This Week's Reflection Question"If you removed every role that was assigned to you, every role you took on to survive, to belong, to keep the peace — who would be left?"You don't have to answer it today. Let it sit. The blank space you feel when you try — that's not emptiness. That's possibility. That's the beginning of choosing yourself on purpose.Coming Up Next WeekIn Episode 3 — the Healing Lab — Jessica builds directly on this exercise. She'll try a personal practice around identity and roles and report back on what she discovered. If this episode stirred something in you, next week takes it further.Connect & Stay in the LoopSign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com Follow on Instagram: @healingismyhobby Watch on YouTube: @healingismyhobby Learn about Jessica's clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicacolarcolcswidentity, who am I, roles and identity, survival roles, inherited roles, chosen identity, IFS parts, people pleasing, overachiever, healing your identity, therapy is my cardio, identity work, self-discovery, role sorting, anxiety and identity, PTSD and identity, trauma and self-concept, high-functioning anxiety, identity healing, personal growth podcast, mental health podcast, women and identity, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco LCSWGood to go, or would you like to adjust anything — episode number, title, description copy, or the keywords?

Have you ever done the work — named the trauma, grieved the losses, started releasing the shame — and then looked up and thought… who am I? That disorientation isn't a problem. It's actually the beginning of something important.In this episode, Jessica opens the June identity theme by introducing one of the most foundational questions in healing: where did your sense of self actually come from? Drawing on attachment theory and her clinical experience, she walks through the difference between your core self — the parts of you that were always there — and your adapted self — the version of you that learned how to survive. Most of us have spent so long living from the adapted self that we've lost touch with the core entirely. This episode is your invitation to start noticing the difference.In This EpisodeWhy identity doesn't form in a vacuum — and who was shaping yours before you had any sayWhat attachment theory tells us about how we learned to see (or not see) ourselvesThe clinical distinction between your core self and your adapted selfJessica's personal story of performing the "Pinterest mom" identity — and what it cost herWhy every major life transition is both disorienting and an invitationWhat's coming next in the June seriesResources & Links🌿 Free worksheet — Core Self vs. Adapted Self: healingismyhobby.com/newsletter📬 Newsletter: healingismyhobby.com/newsletter 📩 Contact Jessica: healingismyhobby.com 📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby ▶️ YouTube: @healingismyhobby 🛋️ Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com | @jessicacolarcolcswidentity healing, who am I, core self vs adapted self, attachment theory, identity development, trauma and identity, adapted self, healing journey, self-worth, identity after trauma, childhood roles, people pleasing, performing identity, inner child work, IFS therapy, self-discovery, anxiety and identity, LCSW podcast, mental health podcast, therapy podcast for women, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco

We close out May with the deepest layer of shame work yet. In this final episode of our shame and self-worth series, Jessica reframes shame not as a character flaw or a belief system — but as a trauma response. One that lives in the body, wires itself into the nervous system, and follows us long past the environments that first created it.This episode unpacks the neurobiology of shame, the connection between early attachment wounds and the shame we carry into adulthood, and what it actually looks like to begin healing at the level where the wound lives.If you've been listening all month, this is where it all comes together.What We Cover in This EpisodeWhy shame is one of the most overlooked trauma responses in clinical practice — and why naming it changes everythingThe developmental picture: how early environments teach the nervous system that being fully yourself is dangerousThe dorsal vagal response (freeze and collapse) and why it shows up in shame — the heat in the face, the heaviness in the chest, the urge to disappearWhy you cannot think your way out of a shame response, and why the body has to be part of healingAttachment theory and shame: how early relational wounds travel into adult relationships and show up in patterns like over-apologizing, difficulty receiving, and interpreting neutral interactions as rejectionDan Siegel's window of tolerance and what it means for trauma-informed shame workFour somatic regulation practices you can use in the moment when shame gets activatedSomatic Practices MentionedOrient to your environment — slowly look around and name five things you can see to activate the social engagement systemSlow your exhale — inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6–8 to activate the parasympathetic nervous systemFind a point of contact — feel your feet on the floor or your body in the chair to ground yourself when shame pulls you out of the presentName what's happening without judgment — neutral observation of physical sensation creates space between you and the responseKey Concepts ReferencedDorsal vagal response / freeze and collapseWindow of tolerance (Dan Siegel)Attachment theory (John Bowlby)Polyvagal theorySomatic regulationTrauma-informed shame workClosing ReflectionHealing shame doesn't happen all at once. It happens in layers — in moments of being witnessed and not rejected, in the slow practice of treating yourself as worthy even when part of you doesn't believe it yet. The shame that feels like the truest thing about you is not the truest thing about you. It is a wound. And wounds, when they receive the right care, do heal.Connect + Resources📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com💬 Contact Jessica📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby🩺 Learn more about Jessica's clinical practice at jessicacolarcolcsw.comshame and trauma, shame as a trauma response, dorsal vagal response, freeze and collapse, nervous system and shame, window of tolerance, attachment theory and shame, John Bowlby attachment, somatic practices for shame, trauma-informed therapy, shame in the body, healing shame, self-worth, PTSD and shame, polyvagal theory, anxiety and shame, high-functioning trauma, insecure attachment, early childhood trauma, nervous system regulation, body-based healing, self-compassion, trauma response, inner child healing, Healing Is My Hobby podcast, Jessica Colarco LCSW

Welcome to the Healing Lab — the episode where we stop talking about the work and actually start doing it. This month’s theme is shame and self-worth, and these experiments are rooted in something deeply personal: the belief that you cannot think your way into self-worth. You have to practice it.In this episode, Jessica shares two somatic and behavioral experiments designed to interrupt the pattern of conditional worth — and invites you into the lab alongside her.What We CoverThe clinical framework behind conditional worth and why it shows up so often in high-achieving womenWhy shame lives in the body — and why that’s where healing has to beginExperiment #1: The Enough Body Scan — a daily somatic practice anchoring worthiness in physical sensationExperiment #2: The Daily Commitment — two to three things each day that are purely for youJessica’s personal experience trying both experiments — what worked, what surprised her, what she’s keepingHow these two experiments work together — inside-out and outside-in — to meet in the middleThe Clinical FrameworkWhen worth becomes conditional — when we believe we are only lovable while performing, producing, or caretaking — we stop giving ourselves permission to simply exist. The absence of self-directed care isn’t laziness. It’s the behavioral fingerprint of internalized shame.These experiments work at the behavioral level because we can’t always change the belief directly — but we can change the behavior. And when we start treating ourselves as worthy of care, the belief begins slowly to shift.Experiment #1: The Enough Body ScanOnce a day for two weeks, set aside five minutes for a slow, intentional body scan from head to toe. At each body part — your head, jaw, shoulders, chest, stomach, hands, and legs — offer a single phrase:“This is enough. You are enough.”This is not a relaxation exercise. It’s not about finding tension or tracking discomfort. It’s about anchoring the message “I am enough” in physical sensation — giving it somewhere to land for those who can’t yet access it cognitively.What to track:Does the phrase feel true, hollow, or somewhere in between?Does it begin to shift over the two weeks?Where in your body does it feel most resistant — and what do you make of that?Jessica’s experience: She chose to do this experiment in the shower each morning. It was immediately impactful, helped set her intention for the day, and shifted the way she inhabits her body. She’s keeping it.Experiment #2: The Daily CommitmentEvery day for two weeks, do two to three things that are purely for you. Not for your kids, partner, clients, or boss. Just for you — without needing to earn them first.You are someone you made a commitment to. Show up for yourself the way you show up for the people you love.Ideas to spark your own list:Making yourself something you actually want to eatMoving your body in a way that feels genuinely good, not obligatorySitting outside for 10 minutes with no agendaReading something purely for pleasure, not for growth or informationDoing something creative just because it’s enjoyable — baking, painting, crafting, whatever is yoursPutting on music you love and actually sitting with itA slow bath or long, unhurried showerWatching something you enjoy without guilt or multitasking alongside itA cup of something you love, made slowly, with nowhere to beWhat to track:Write down your two to three things each dayAt the end of each week, ask: How hard was it to follow through? Did I negotiate with myself, minimize, or skip?What did the inner voice say when I tried to give myself something?Did that voice get any quieter by the end of the week?How These Experiments Work TogetherThe body scan works quietly from the inside out — planting the message “I am enough” at the level of physical sensation, asking your body to practice receiving worth.The daily commitment works from the outside in — asking your behavior to demonstrate worth through concrete daily action.Together, they approach the same belief from two directions. The body scan softens the ground. The daily commitment builds the evidence. Over time, those two things meet in the middle — and that’s where the shift happens.A Note on ResistanceFor those who have run on conditional worth for a long time, these experiments may bring up guilt — the sense that you haven’t earned this yet, or that you’re being selfish. The voice that says: this is indulgent.That voice is not the truth. It’s the wound. The most powerful thing you can do when it shows up is not to argue with it — but to do the thing anyway. That “even when” is where the healing lives.Coming Up Next WeekThe final episode of May looks at shame through a trauma-informed lens — how it shows up in the body, how it lives in our nervous system, and what it actually means to heal it at that level.Connect & Stay in the LoopIf you tried these experiments, Jessica wants to hear about it. Share what you noticed, what came up, and what surprised you.📰 Newsletter: healingismyhobby.com📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby🎥 YouTube: @healingismyhobby💼 Clinical Practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.comself-worth, shame healing, conditional worth, somatic healing, body scan meditation, self-compassion practice, healing shame, worthiness, internalized shame, high-achieving women, therapy for anxiety, LCSW podcast, nervous system regulation, behavioral activation, self-care without guilt, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco, mental health podcast, trauma-informed therapy, inner critic, enough body scan, daily self-commitment, self-worth exercises, shame and the body, healing lab, self-worth practices, anxiety and perfectionism, people pleasing and worth, overcoming guilt, identity and self-worth

This is the Therapy Is My Cardio episode for May — which means we're not just talking about emotional shame today, we're doing the reps. If last week's episode gave you the clinical foundation (what shame is, where it comes from, and how it hides), this episode is where you put that understanding to work. Jessica walks you through the specific kind of shame that wraps itself around your feelings — the inner voice that calls you too much, too dramatic, too sensitive, or simply not allowed to feel what you feel. It's one of the quietest forms of self-abandonment there is, and today you're going to start unlearning it.In This Episode:What emotional shame actually is — and how it's different from general shameHow early experiences teach us that certain emotions are "wrong" — and what that does to a child's developing sense of selfThe clinical term for what happens next: emotional self-dismissal, and why it's so hard to recognize in yourselfWhy chronic emotional shame cuts you off from your own emotions as information — and the real consequences that has for your body, relationships, and sense of selfThe Warmup: a simple check-in practice to notice what feeling you've been pushing away before you even start the repsThe Three Reps:Rep 1 — Name It: The neuroscience behind why labeling an emotion reduces its intensity, and how to create distance from shame-based thoughts using defusion language ("I am having the thought that...")Rep 2 — Reality Check the Story: A CBT-based framework using three questions to slow down the shame spiral and examine whether what you're telling yourself is actually true — or just old conditioning playing on a loopRep 3 — Self-Compassion: The rep people most want to skip, why compassion (not self-criticism) is what actually softens shame, and a short hand-on-heart practice to try right nowThe Cool Down: A simple weekly log practice — no journaling required — to track how often the inner critic is actually showing up, because you can't change a pattern you haven't seen clearly yetMentioned or Referenced:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and shameDefusion techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)The neuroscience of affect labeling ("name it to tame it")Self-compassion as a clinical intervention for shameNext Week: Jessica heads into the Healing Lab to share personal experiments around self-worth that isn't tied to production or performance. You won't want to miss it.Connect with Jessica: 📩 Newsletter & blog: healingismyhobby.com 📱 Instagram: instagram.com/healingismyhobby ▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/@healingismyhobby 🩺 Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.comemotional shame, ashamed of your feelings, too sensitive, emotional self-dismissal, inner critic, shame and emotions, healing shame, therapy for shame, self-compassion for shame, name it to tame it, affect labeling, CBT for shame, cognitive behavioral therapy shame, defusion technique, acceptance and commitment therapy, how to stop invalidating yourself, self-abandonment, self-worth, shame spiral, shame and the nervous system, emotional regulation, healing inner critic, self-compassion practice, shame and self-criticism, feelings are not wrong, Healing Is My Hobby, Therapy Is My Cardio, Jessica Colarco LCSW, mental health podcast, anxiety and shame, emotional healing podcast

May Shame & Self-Worth Series, Episode 1Shame is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — experiences in the healing journey. It's not embarrassment. It's not guilt. It's the quiet, persistent belief that something is fundamentally wrong with you. In this first episode of our May series on shame and self-worth, Jessica lays the clinical foundation: what shame actually is, where it comes from, and why understanding it is the first step toward being free of it.What We CoverShame vs. guilt — they feel similar, but they operate very differently and lead to very different outcomes. Guilt says I did something bad. Shame says I am bad. That distinction is everything, and it matters deeply for how we approach healing.Where shame comes from — shame isn't something we're born with. It forms in childhood, in the relational environment around us, shaped by how our emotions and needs were responded to. When a child's needs are consistently met with criticism, dismissal, or withdrawal, they don't conclude the adult is struggling — they conclude something is wrong with them. That belief can quietly run the show for decades.How shame hides in plain sight — by the time you've been carrying it long enough, shame doesn't feel like shame anymore. It feels like truth. Jessica walks through some of the most common ways it shows up: chronic people pleasing, perfectionism, difficulty receiving care, over-functioning in relationships, and numbing behaviors.The path toward healing — healing shame isn't about arriving at a destination where you never feel it again. It's about developing a different relationship with it. Recognizing it. Getting curious about it. And most importantly, letting yourself be witnessed — because shame grows in secrecy and heals in connection.Resources & ReferencesResearch psychologist June Price Tangney's work on shame and guilt is referenced in this episode. Her decades of research distinguishes shame as a painful sense of being a flawed, unworthy person — not someone who made a mistake, but someone who is the mistake.Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework is referenced as a lens for understanding how early shame experiences become carried by younger parts of the self.This Month on Healing Is My HobbyMay is our shame and self-worth series. Each episode goes deeper — through the lens of what you've inherited, your emotional life, practical experiments you can try at home, and the trauma-informed perspective that every conversation about shame deserves.Connect With JessicaSign up for the newsletter and read the blog at healingismyhobby.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com | Instagram: @jessicacolarcolcswshame, shame vs guilt, what is shame, self-worth, healing shame, clinical social worker podcast, LCSW podcast, shame and identity, shame in therapy, internal family systems, IFS parts, core beliefs, childhood shame, trauma and shame, people pleasing, perfectionism, over-functioning, emotional healing, self-compassion, window of tolerance, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco, mental health podcast, therapy podcast, shame series, shame and self-worth, worthiness, emotional wounds, generational shame, June Price Tangney

In this final episode of the April grief series, Jessica explores identity grief — the grief that comes not from death, but from losing a version of yourself. Whether it's a milestone birthday, a career shift, a diagnosis, or a life that looks nothing like the one you imagined, identity grief is real, clinically significant, and rarely given the space it deserves.Jessica shares a deeply personal reflection on turning 47 and the quiet spiral that followed — and then walks listeners through the Three Layer Model she uses in clinical practice to help clients process identity grief. This is a Healing Lab episode, which means Jessica didn't just teach the framework — she tested three strategies herself and reports back honestly on what happened.What You'll Hear in This Episode:Jessica introduces the Three Layer Model of Identity GriefLayer One: The Self That Was Lost — Honoring who you were, what she carried, what she protected, and what she was working toward. This layer asks us to slow down before rushing toward transformation.Layer Two: The Self in Transition — The uncomfortable in-between where the old identity is gone but the new one hasn't formed. This is where many people get stuck, and where the real work of sitting with uncertainty lives.Layer Three: The Emerging Self — Not a shortcut, but an arrival. The new self forms only in the ground of the first two layers.Healing Lab — Three Strategies Jessica Tried:Strategy 1: Write a letter to the self you thought you'd be. Jessica wrote to the version of herself she imagined at 25 — and to the 47-year-old she never became. She thanked her, honored her, and said goodbye. She cried. She invites you to try it too.Strategy 2: The inventory. Rather than cataloging what's missing, Jessica split the page — what she thought she'd have by now on one side, and what she actually has that she never could have anticipated on the other. Not toxic positivity, just a fuller picture.Strategy 3: Return to one thing that is only yours. Jessica realized she had stopped doing things that existed outside of her roles. She went back to something she used to love — just for herself, no output required — and something loosened.The episode closes with a final reflection prompt and a look ahead to May's theme: shame and self-worth.Reflection Questions From This Episode:Who is a version of yourself you haven't fully grieved?What do you want her to know before you say goodbye?What is one thing that used to be yours — with no purpose attached?Resources & Links:Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here. Contact Jessica here. Let's connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/ | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby | Would you like to learn more about Jessica's clinical practice? Click here.identity grief, grief beyond death, losing yourself, who am I now, self-concept loss, grief no one talks about, types of grief, feeling like a side character, losing your sense of self, milestone grief, birthday grief, midlife identity shift, in-between self, feeling untethered, unprocessed grief, imagined future self, ambiguous loss, Three Layer Model, identity grief framework, self in transition, emerging self, disenfranchised grief, grief ritual, grief letter writing, identity and roles, identity integration,"I don't know who I am anymore," "grieving a version of yourself," "grief after divorce," "grief after kids grow up," "grief after burnout," "who am I after [life change]," "why do I feel lost after a big change," "midlife identity crisis women," "grief that has no name", Healing Is My Hobby, Healing Lab segment, Jessica Colarco LCSW, anxiety therapist podcast, mental health podcast for women, therapy podcast, grief podcast, emotional healing podcast, licensed clinical social worker podcast

We're three weeks into grief month, and this episode goes somewhere that doesn't get nearly enough airtime — grieving someone who is still alive. Whether you've had to create distance from a relationship for your own well-being, or you're mourning a version of a person who is no longer who they once were, this kind of loss is real, disorienting, and deserves to be named.In this Therapy Is My Cardio segment, Jessica walks through the clinical framework of ambiguous loss and four powerful shifts that actually move the needle — straight from the therapy room.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhat ambiguous loss is and why it's one of the hardest kinds of grief to processThe two main forms ambiguous loss takes — and which one you may be living withWhy humans struggle so much with unresolved, "open loop" lossesFour practical reps for working through relational griefWhy your healing does not require the other person's participationHow grief and love can coexist without contradictionComing Up Next WeekWe're closing out grief month with identity grief — grieving a version of yourself that existed before the thing that changed everything. Don't miss it.Clinical Concepts MentionedAmbiguous loss (Pauline Boss)Role grief vs. person griefNarrative disruption in grief processingInternal resolution without external closureGrief and love as co-existing emotional statesConnect With JessicaNewsletter: https://healingismyhobby.comWebsite: https://healingismyhobby.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyClinical Practice: https://jessicacolarcolcsw.comClinical Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicacolarcolcswWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here. Contact Jessica here. Let's connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby Would you like to learn more about Jessica's clinical practice? Click here.ambiguous loss, grieving someone who is still alive, living loss, relational grief, disenfranchised grief, grief without closure, unresolved grief, open loop grief, emotional estrangement, role grief, narrative disruption in grief, grief and love coexisting, internal healing without apology, Pauline Boss ambiguous loss, relational trauma, emotionally absent parent, estrangement grief, IFS and grief, healing without closure, trauma-informed grief work, how to grieve someone who is still alive, grieving a parent who is emotionally absent, estrangement grief support, how to heal from relationship grief, can you grieve someone you still love, closure without an apology, grieving what you never had, Healing Is My Hobby podcast, Therapy Is My Cardio, Jessica Colarco LCSW, grief series podcast, anxiety and grief podcast, mental health podcast for women, IFS grief therapy podcast

Episode SummaryIn this week's This Might Be a Trauma Response segment, Jessica takes the conversation about grief a layer deeper — moving beyond last week's broad definition of loss into a specific and often invisible form of pain: disenfranchised grief. This is the grief that never got witnessed. The loss that was minimized, dismissed, or met with an "at least" instead of acknowledgment. Jessica explores what happens psychologically when grief goes unvalidated, names the symptoms it can create, and offers a path forward through self-witnessing.What's Covered in This EpisodeWhat disenfranchised grief is — and why it's so psychologically costlyHow suppressed grief doesn't disappear, it transforms into symptomsFive common presentations of unacknowledged griefThe clinical concept of grief without witnessWhy healing grief requires acknowledgment — and how to give it to yourselfA simple but powerful self-witnessing reflection practiceKey Clinical ConceptsDisenfranchised GriefGrief that is not socially recognized or validated — losses that others communicate are "not big enough to count." This can include relational losses, identity shifts, ambiguous loss, and more. When grief isn't witnessed externally, it doesn't resolve; it suppresses.Suppressed Grief & Its SymptomsJessica outlines five places suppressed grief tends to surface:Emotional numbness — a flatness or reduced emotional rangeDisproportionate irritability — especially common in women, who are socialized to internalize painAvoidance — staying busy, changing subjects, pulling away from peoplePersistent low-grade sadness — a heaviness underneath daily functioningPhysical symptoms — chest tightness, fatigue, headaches, digestive issuesSelf-WitnessingWhen external validation isn't available, healing can begin with self-witnessing — the act of naming your own loss and affirming its reality to yourself. Jessica frames this as "the beginning of everything."This Week's Reflection PracticeThink of one loss in your life that never got acknowledged. It could be from years ago, something recent, or something you've never said out loud.Then say this somewhere private, just for you:"This was real. This hurt. And I am allowed to feel it."Coming Up Next WeekJessica turns to one of the most complex and misunderstood grief experiences: grieving someone who is still alive. The parent who is physically present but emotionally absent. The relationship that's technically intact but quietly over. The grief with no clear ending because there was no clear event.Connect & Stay in the KnowSubscribe to the newsletter or learn more at:healingismyhobby.comInstagram: @healingismyhobbyYouTube: @healingismyhobbyWant to learn more about Jessica's clinical practice?Visit jessicacolarcolcsw.com or follow @jessicacolarcolcsw on Instagram.disenfranchised grief, unacknowledged grief, minimized loss, grief without validation, emotional numbness, irritability, low-grade sadness, physical symptoms of grief, self-witnessing, somatic grief, IFS and grief, ambiguous loss, "grief that doesn't count," "giving yourself permission to grieve," "why am I like this", mental health podcast, therapy podcast, LCSW podcast, trauma response, Jessica Colarco

In this month's opening episode, Jessica introduces April's theme: grief — and challenges the widely-held belief that grief only belongs to death. Drawing on clinical definitions and her own therapeutic lens, she explores how grief shows up across a wide range of losses, why unacknowledged grief doesn't disappear, and what it means to finally name what you're carrying. She also introduces the concept of disenfranchised grief and invites listeners into a simple but powerful reflective practice to close out the episode.What You'll Hear in This Episode:Why grief extends far beyond death and loss of lifeThe clinical definition of grief and what counts as a "significant loss"Examples of losses that often go unrecognized: identity shifts, relationship changes, unmet expectations, life transitionsWhat happens when grief goes unnamed and unprocessed — and how it shows up sidewaysAn introduction to disenfranchised grief: what it is and why it mattersHow unacknowledged grief can become prolonged griefThe power of naming and witnessing as the first act of healingA reflective prompt to take with you this weekThis Week's Reflective Prompt: What is one thing I'm grieving that I've never called grief?You don't have to say it out loud. Write it in a journal, a note on your phone, or sit with it quietly. Naming it is the first step.Coming Up Next Week: Jessica goes deeper into disenfranchised grief — the losses nobody validated — and what happens psychologically when grief goes without witness.Connect & Stay Connected:📩 Sign up for the newsletter at healingismyhobby.com 📬 Contact Jessica: healingismyhobby.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby 🩺 Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.comgrief beyond death, disenfranchised grief, unprocessed grief, types of grief, grief and identity, ambiguous loss, prolonged grief disorder, grief therapy, grief without a death, what is grief clinically, grief and anxiety, emotional flatness grief, grief and avoidance, grief naming healing, grief podcast, mental health podcast, LCSW podcast, healing podcast, grief support, grief awareness

This Might Be a Trauma Response: High-Functioning Trauma Healing Is My Hobby | This Might Be a Trauma Response SeriesWhat if the most common sign of trauma isn't falling apart — it's having it all together?In this installment of the This Might Be a Trauma Response series, Jessica breaks down high-functioning trauma: what it is, why it's so easy to miss, and the four ways it most commonly shows up in everyday life. This episode is for the person who keeps going, keeps producing, keeps holding it together — and quietly wonders why something still feels off.In this episode, you'll hear about:What high-functioning trauma actually is (and why it's not a character flaw)The four most common high-functioning trauma responses: hyperproductivity, perfectionism, hyperindependence, and fawningWhy each of these patterns started as a survival strategy — and why they're still running even when the danger is goneThe fourth trauma response that doesn't get talked about enough: fawning, or "fight, flight, freeze, or please"A simple but powerful grounding practice called Values Grounding to bring you back to yourselfThis week's healing tool — Values Grounding:Find a quiet five minutes and sit with these three questions:Who am I when I'm not performing?What do I actually value — deeply, quietly, before the world told me who to be?Is what I'm doing right now aligned with those values, or am I running a pattern that belongs to the past?Write down 3–5 words. Don't overthink it. Trust what comes first.If you've been listening to this series and want to go deeper on identity — who you are beneath the trauma and anxiety — Jessica's other podcast, Chasing Brighter (co-hosted with her sister Kelly), is dedicating the entire month of May to Identity and Expectations. Find it at chasingbrighter.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.Stay connected:📬 Sign up for the newsletter + read the blog: healingismyhobby.com📩 Send a message: Contact Jessica📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby🎥 YouTube: @healingismyhobby🖥️ Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com | @jessicacolarcolcswhigh functioning trauma, trauma responses, hyperproductivity, perfectionism, hyperindependence, fawning, people pleasing, fight flight freeze fawn, values grounding, healing, what is high functioning trauma, signs of high functioning trauma, trauma that looks like success, why am I always productive, perfectionism as trauma response, people pleasing and trauma, fawning trauma response, how to stop people pleasing, hyperindependence healing, why I can't ask for help, mental health podcast, healing podcast, women's mental health, therapy insights, self-awareness, emotional healing, anxiety podcast, trauma recovery, This Might Be a Trauma Response, Healing Is My Hobby

Your nervous system isn't broken. It's doing exactly what it was designed to do.But when the danger has passed and the responses stay — the numbness, the sleeplessness, the reactions that feel way too big for the moment — that's when it becomes important to understand what's actually happening inside you.In this Healing Lab episode, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, takes you deep into the world of Big T and Little t trauma — what they are, how they live in your body, and most importantly, two simple experiments you can start today to begin reconnecting with yourself.This isn't about diagnosing yourself or labeling your past. It's about getting curious, getting honest, and understanding that healing starts with noticing.💛 Ready for support? Sign up for the newsletter here.In This EpisodeThe difference between Big T and Little t trauma — and why "little" doesn't mean less significantThe three impacts of Big T trauma: somatic disconnection, hypervigilance, and narrative fragmentationThe three impacts of Little t trauma: chronic sleep disruption, emotional flooding, and persistent on-edge feelingsWhy the nervous system doesn't rank experiences — it just responds to themWhy healing has to include the body, not just the mindHealing Lab Experiment #1: The body scan check-in — a gentle somatic practice to notice where you're connected and where you're notHealing Lab Experiment #2: The trigger log — a 24–48 hour practice to map the gap between stimulus and storyA guided body scan you can do right now, in real timeTakeawayYour nervous system learned its responses to keep you safe. It did its job. But you don't have to stay in survival mode forever. Healing is possible — and it starts with exactly what you practiced today: noticing.Try the Healing Lab ExperimentsExperiment #1 — The Body Scan Check-In Find a comfortable seat, close your eyes or soften your gaze, and slowly move your awareness from the top of your head to the soles of your feet — about five minutes. You're not fixing anything. You're noticing. Document what you find, especially any areas that feel numb, distant, or hard to locate.Experiment #2 — The Trigger Log For 24–48 hours, keep a small notebook or your phone's notes app handy. Every time you feel a spike of irritability, anxiety, or emotional flooding, log three things: (1) What happened right before? (2) What did your body do first? (3) What story did your brain immediately tell you about what it meant?💛 Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica's clinical practice? Click here.Big T trauma, little t trauma, somatic disconnection, hypervigilance, narrative fragmentation, body scan meditation, trauma triggers, nervous system healing, emotional flooding, trauma-informed therapy, PTSD, somatic therapy, polyvagal theory, trauma responses, healing lab

What if your triggers weren't signs of weakness, but proof your nervous system is working exactly as designed? In this Therapy Is My Cardio workout, Jessica walks you through a four-step real-time regulation practice for mild, everyday triggers: the critical email, the tense conversation, the racing heart in traffic. You'll learn to identify what's activating you, notice where it lives in your body, and choose a grounding intervention — whether that's breathwork, orienting, or gentle movement. Think of it as a small but mighty nervous system workout. Because healing doesn't happen in one big moment. It happens in hundreds of small ones, just like this.💛 Ready for support?Click here to sign up for the newsletter.Key TakeawaysHealing is practiced through small, consistent steps.Triggers are signals, not failures, and can be managed.Deep breathing and grounding are effective regulation tools.Resilience is about capacity, not perfection.Practice makes nervous system flexibility a habit.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Trauma00:38 Understanding Trauma Responses02:01 Identifying Mild Triggers03:55 Practicing Regulation Techniques06:40 Reframing Triggers and Building Resilience08:48 Conclusion and ResourcesWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. trauma responses, nervous system, emotional regulation, compassion, mental health, grounding practices, healing tools

What if trauma isn’t defined by the event — but by how your nervous system experienced it?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in mental health: trauma.Many people believe trauma only applies to extreme, life-threatening events. But trauma is actually about nervous system overwhelm — when experiences exceed our capacity to process them in the moment.Jessica explains the difference between Big T trauma (major life-threatening events) and little t trauma (chronic emotional stress, relational wounds, and repeated experiences of not feeling safe, seen, or supported). Both shape how our nervous system learns to respond to the world.This conversation reframes trauma through a compassionate, neuroscience-informed lens, helping listeners understand that trauma responses like hyper-vigilance, people-pleasing, emotional numbing, or overworking are not character flaws — they are adaptations your nervous system developed to survive.The most hopeful part? Trauma is not permanent damage. Because of neuroplasticity, the nervous system can learn new patterns of safety, regulation, and resilience.If you’ve ever wondered why certain situations trigger strong reactions or patterns you can’t quite explain, this episode offers clarity, understanding, and the first step toward healing.Key TakeawaysTrauma is defined by nervous system overwhelm, not just by the event itself.Big T trauma involves life-threatening events, while little t trauma involves chronic emotional stress and relational wounds.Trauma responses are survival adaptations, not personal weaknesses.Trauma is often stored in the body and nervous system, shaping how we react to stress.Through awareness, regulation, and supportive practices, healing is possible.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:05 Jessica's Background and Focus on Trauma02:03 Defining Trauma: Nervous System Overwhelm04:26 Big T Trauma: Life-Threatening Events06:24 Little T Trauma: Chronic Emotional Experiences08:06 Why Both Types Matter for Healing09:04 What Trauma Is Not: Common Misconceptions11:34 Trauma Is Not Permanent Damage12:36 Trauma Stored in the Body and Nervous System14:30 The Body Keeps the Score and Healing Strategies15:55 Trauma's Impact on the Nervous System17:52 Trauma Responses and Reactivity20:18 Shifting from Self-Judgment to Compassion21:36 Reflective Practice: Noticing Patterns23:04 The Power of Understanding and Compassion24:11 Next Steps in Healing and Upcoming TopicsWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. ResourcesThe Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkWhat Happened to You by Bruce Perry and Oprah WinfreyGabor Maté's The Myth of Normaltrauma, nervous system, healing, big T trauma, little t trauma, mental health, regulation, safety, recovery, neuroplasticity

What if your overwhelm isn’t weakness… but your nervous system trying to protect you?In a world that feels loud, fast, and often unsettling, it’s easy to assume something is “wrong” with us when we feel numb, reactive, exhausted, or on edge.In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, invites you to consider a gentler truth: many of your reactions to current world events aren’t character flaws — they’re trauma responses.With over 19 years as a therapist specializing in anxiety and trauma, Jessica breaks down what nervous system overload actually looks like in real life. From doom-scrolling and hyperfixation to irritability, guilt, and hopelessness, she helps you understand why your body and brain may be responding the way they are.This conversation is not about fixing yourself. It’s about understanding yourself.Jessica reframes common stress reactions through a trauma-informed lens and offers simple, practical regulation tools you can use immediately — grounding practices, body-based resets, and compassionate mindset shifts that help bring your rational brain back online.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally flooded, disconnected, or just not like yourself lately, this episode will help you feel seen — and steadied.💛 Ready for support?Click here to get your free Collective Calm Toolkit — a gentle resource designed to help you regulate, ground, and reconnect when the world feels dysregulating.Key TakeawaysMany reactions to world events are trauma responses — not personal flaws.Numbness, hyperfixation, anger, guilt, and hopelessness are protective nervous system states.Understanding your trauma responses builds self-compassion and reduces shame.Regulation practices don’t have to be complicated to be effective.Grounding and body-based exercises help bring your rational brain back online.Chapters00:00 Understanding Trauma Responses02:52 Reframing Common Reactions05:43 Regulation and Grounding Practices08:52 Closing Thoughts and Future DirectionsWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. trauma responses, nervous system, emotional regulation, compassion, mental health, grounding practices, healing tools

What if staying informed is actually dysregulating you? And what if protecting your peace isn’t avoidance… but wisdom?In this month’s Healing Lab, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, tests real-life nervous system practices to answer one question:What actually helps us stay regulated in a dysregulated world?Not perfectly. Not as a productivity hack.But as an experiment.This month’s lab included:A 48-hour news fastIntentional social media boundariesSimple polyvagal practices (including surprisingly powerful humming)A daily “What’s In My Control?” journaling ritualA tender collective grief practiceJessica shares what worked, what didn’t, what surprised her (hello, humming), and what she’s keeping moving forward.You’ll hear:Why the first 24 hours of a news fast are the hardestHow constant information overload keeps the nervous system on high alertA simple explanation of the vagus nerve and how to activate your body’s calming systemThe phrase that became this month’s anchor:“I can care deeply and still protect my peace.”How the full Serenity Prayer reframed control and surrenderWhy naming grief can feel heavy — and relieving at the same timeThis episode isn’t about disconnecting from the world.It’s about learning how to engage without abandoning yourself.Because healing isn’t about doing everything.It’s about noticing what supports your nervous system — and letting go of what doesn’t.✨ Try ThisIf you want to experiment alongside Jessica, download the Collective Calm Toolkit inside the newsletter at:👉 healingismyhobby.comNo pressure. No perfection. Just gentle support.🔗 Stay ConnectedFor more resources and blog posts: healingismyhobby.comFollow along:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyClinical practice:🖥️ jessicacolarcolcsw.comInstagram: @jessicacolarcolcsw

Is Doom Scrolling a Bad Habit… or Your Nervous System Asking for Help?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco takes a compassionate look at doom scrolling—not as a lack of discipline or willpower, but as a nervous system response to uncertainty, fear, and information overload.We’re living in a time of nonstop headlines, constant alerts, and a lingering sense of urgency. When the world feels unpredictable, our brains naturally search for information as a way to regain control. Jessica breaks down what’s really happening in the brain and body during doom scrolling, why novelty and dopamine keep us stuck in the loop, and how understanding this response can soften self-judgment and lead to real change.You’ll also learn a simple three-step Doom Scroll Reset to help interrupt the cycle—without shame—and how offering safety to your nervous system is far more effective than criticism. Plus, Jessica shares supportive resources, including the Collective Calm Toolkit, to help you regulate emotions in a chaotic world.Click here to get your free Collective Calm ToolkitKey TakeawaysWe're living in a time of constant information, urgency, and uncertainty.Doom scrolling is not a willpower problem; it's a nervous system response.Dopamine hits from novelty can create a loop that's hard to break.Understanding the brain's response to uncertainty can help us interpret our actions with compassion.The three-step doom scroll reset includes pausing, grounding, and replacing behaviors.Compassion leads to faster change than criticism.Our nervous systems seek safety and control in uncertain environments.Offering safety is key to breaking nervous system loops.The Collective Calm toolkit provides resources for emotional regulation.Healing is a personal journey; what works for one may not work for another.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Emotional Fitness01:37 Understanding Doom Scrolling04:33 Doom Scroll Reset Techniques07:21 Practical Applications and ResourcesWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here.emotional regulation, doom scrolling, nervous system, mental health, self-care, therapy, mindfulness, coping strategies, social media, anxiety

What happens when the world feels overwhelming—and your nervous system won’t settle?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores what it really means to stay regulated in a dysregulated world. Through personal reflection and therapist-informed insight, Jessica shares how our nervous systems respond to stress, uncertainty, and perceived threat—even when danger is indirect.Using a recent personal experience as a touchpoint, this episode gently unpacks the difference between survival mode and intentional regulation, reminding listeners that frustration and gratitude can coexist. You’ll learn why feeling overwhelmed makes sense, how grounding supports the nervous system, and how small, practical tools can help you feel steadier when life feels chaotic.This episode offers reassurance, perspective, and simple practices to help you care deeply—without carrying everything at once.Key TakeawaysHealing can be playful and woven into daily life.It's normal to feel overwhelmed after unexpected events.Both frustration and gratitude can coexist.Our nervous systems react to perceived threats, even indirectly.Regulation means supporting your body, not ignoring reality.Grounding techniques can help shift our nervous system back to safety.The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method engages the senses for regulation.Small moments of grounding can accumulate to create stability.Caring deeply does not mean carrying everything at once.Noticing when you're in survival mode is key to regulation.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Personal Growth01:57 Navigating Trauma and Growth Mindset04:51 Understanding Nervous System Responses09:16 Grounding Techniques for Regulation10:05 Conclusion and Resources for SupportWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. mental wellness, personal growth, nervous system, grounding techniques, trauma recovery, emotional regulation, self-care, mindfulness, therapy, coping strategies

Chasing Brighter Season 5 Trailer: Reset, Rest, ReconnectWhat if every season of life deserves to feel brighter?Chasing Brighter began as a guide for women in midlife—but this season, we’re expanding the conversation. Because no matter your age, your season, or your story, you deserve joy, growth, and connection.In Season Five, Jessica and Kelly invite you into a deeper, more honest space—one that celebrates realness over perfection and growth over pressure. This season is about connection, authenticity, and permission to be exactly who you are.✨ Real is the new perfect—and we’re just getting started.February Theme: Reset, Rest, ReconnectFebruary on Chasing Brighter is all about turning inward and gently starting again. While Valentine’s Day often focuses on romantic love, we’re shifting the focus to self-connection.Winter invites rest, reflection, and slowing down—so we’re leaning into that energy with tools and conversations to help you:Reset your mindset and nervous systemRest without guiltReconnect with yourself before reconnecting with othersFree Download: The 7-Day Brighter ChallengeWe created a 7-Day Brighter Challenge: A Self-Love Reset to help you gently reconnect with yourself in this season of life.Join our newsletter to receive your free download and start your reset with us.👉 Head to chasingbrighter.com for details and to subscribe.Coming This Season on Chasing BrighterMore diverse stories and voicesHonest conversations about growth, identity, and joyPractical tools for self-care, connection, and lively livingPermission to let go of perfect and embrace what’s real

What if your anxiety isn’t a sign that something is wrong with you—but proof that your body learned how to survive?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores how anxiety often comes from past trauma, not just present-day stress. She breaks down how the nervous system learns to stay on high alert, why collective stress can amplify those responses, and how to gently support your body back into safety.You’ll learn grounding and mindfulness tools, how to reframe anxiety as a protective strategy, and why healing isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about understanding it with compassion and patience.If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I so anxious when nothing is wrong?”—this episode is for you.Key TakeawaysAnxiety can be a trauma response, not just stress.The body learns to stay alert from past trauma.Reframing anxiety as a protective strategy is crucial.Gentle check-ins can help manage anxiety.Mindfulness practices can aid in grounding.Collective stress affects our individual nervous systems.Setting media boundaries is essential for mental health.Healing involves understanding, not erasing the past.Your emotional responses are valid and make sense.Change is possible with support and patience.Chapters00:00 Understanding Anxiety Beyond Stress03:28 Tools for Managing Anxiety04:33 Collective Stress and Its Impact05:58 Resources for Healing and SupportWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. anxiety, trauma response, nervous system, emotional responses, mindfulness, grounding practices, collective stress, media boundaries, healing, mental health

Can something as simple as tea, slow movement, or tapping shift your nervous system?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco steps into the Healing Lab to test gentle, accessible tools for calming anxiety—Tai Chi, herbal tea, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping. She shares honest reflections on what felt grounding, what surprised her, and what truly helped regulate her nervous system.You’ll experience a guided tapping exercise, learn how ritual and movement can support emotional regulation, and hear why curiosity and self-acceptance might be the most powerful healing tools of all.👉 Click here for your free Gentle Grounding MenuKey TakeawaysHealing is personal and curiosity matters.EFT tapping is a standout tool for emotional regulation and anxiety.Tai Chi has real powerful grounding rituals.Herbal tea is a low-cost, accessible grounding tool.Curiosity is a powerful part of healing.Tapping on specific points can reduce stress.Research supports Tai Chi as a mind-body practice.The ritual of tea can act as a mindfulness practice.Self-acceptance is crucial in emotional healing.Finding the right class and mindset is important for Tai Chi.Chapters00:00 Exploring Healing Modalities for Anxiety03:11 Introduction to Tapping Exercise07:36 Introduction to Tapping Exercise13:18 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. anxiety, healing, Tai Chi, emotional freedom technique, herbal tea, mindfulness, self-acceptance, emotional regulation, tapping, grounding

What if you didn’t have to answer every anxious “what if” to feel safe?What if anxiety isn’t trying to predict the future, but pulling you out of the present?In this Therapy Is My Cardio episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco invites you to think about emotional fitness the same way you think about physical fitness. Anxiety, especially “what if” thinking, is treated here not as a flaw or failure, but as a habit that can be gently retrained.This episode focuses on awareness as the first rep. Jessica helps listeners notice when their minds drift into future-oriented worry and guides them back into the safety of the present moment. Through grounding exercises, breathwork, and compassionate reframes, she walks you through how to separate thoughts from actual threat and how to calm your nervous system without needing to “fix” yourself.You’ll practice a warm-up for mindfulness, learn how to respond differently to anxious thoughts, and move through a soothing cool-down that reinforces a powerful truth: you’ve handled hard things before, and you don’t need to solve the future to be okay right now.This episode is a reminder that presence is a skill, anxiety is trainable, and this moment—right here—is enough.👉 Click here for your free Gentle Grounding MenuKey TakeawaysAnxiety loves to ask, 'What if something goes wrong?'Future thinking is not a failure, it's a habit.I have handled hard things before.I can meet this one step at a time.This moment is enough.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Therapy as a Workout01:41 Understanding Anxiety and Future Thinking02:09 Grounding Techniques to Combat Anxiety03:29 Reframing Anxious Thoughts04:15 Cooling Down and Releasing Worries05:31 Preview of Upcoming Healing Tools06:11 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. anxiety, emotional fitness, mindfulness, grounding techniques, what if thinking, breathing exercises, self-compassion, healing, mental health, emotional core

Ever wonder why anxiety shows up even when “nothing is wrong”?Anxiety gets a bad reputation, but what if it’s not the enemy?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco invites you to take a softer, more compassionate look at anxiety, not as a flaw or something to “fix,” but as a natural nervous system response trying to keep you safe. Together, we explore the many ways anxiety can show up in your thoughts, body, and daily life, and why understanding it can open the door to more choice, ease, and self-trust.Jessica breaks down common anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, shares how to recognize when anxiety may be interfering with your life, and offers practical, accessible tools to support regulation, without pressure or perfection. From CBT strategies and sleep support to self-care that actually calms the nervous system and mindfulness practices that bring you back to the present, this episode is about meeting anxiety with awareness instead of judgment.If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I like this?”—this conversation gently reframes the question to: “What does my nervous system need right now?”👉 Click here for your free Nervous System Year in Review printableKey TakeawaysAnxiety is a nervous system response, not a personal flaw.Understanding anxiety can provide more choices in how to respond.Common anxiety disorders include GAD, panic disorder, and OCD.Anxiety can manifest physically and emotionally.Recognizing when anxiety interferes with life is crucial for seeking help.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective for managing anxiety.Improving sleep quality is essential for emotional regulation.Self-care should focus on regulation, not indulgence.Mindfulness practices can help ground individuals in the present.Healing involves awareness, compassion, and consistent choices.Chapters00:00 Understanding Anxiety: A Compassionate Approach01:40 Exploring Common Anxiety Disorders06:39 Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Help07:58 Tools for Managing Anxiety08:28 Cognitive Behavioral Techniques10:15 Improving Sleep for Better Mental Health11:48 The Importance of Self-Care13:08 Practicing Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques15:04 Embracing Healing and Moving Forward16:17 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyWould you like to learn more about Jessica’s clinical practice? Click here. anxiety, mental wellness, personal growth, coping strategies, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, self-care, sleep hygiene, anxiety disorders, emotional regulation

As we step into a new year, the pressure to reset, improve, and “get it right” can quietly wake anxiety up. In this opening January episode of Healing Is My Hobby, licensed clinical social worker Jessica Colarco invites listeners to slow down and begin the year differently.Instead of diving into productivity or self-fixing energy, this episode offers a compassionate introduction to anxiety—what it is, how it shows up, and how we can build a more supportive relationship with it. January doesn’t have to be a clean slate or an intense overhaul. It can be a recalibration, a continuation, and a chance to choose intention over intensity.This episode sets the tone for the month of January, where we’ll gently explore anxiety in ways that feel human, accessible, and nervous-system informed—because healing doesn’t have to be heavy to be meaningful.Inside This EpisodeWhy January can feel activating rather than refreshingHow anxiety thrives on urgency, pressure, and self-doubtWhat anxiety is (and what it isn’t)The difference between fixing yourself and supporting yourselfHow to work with your nervous system instead of fighting itWhy the goal isn’t eliminating anxiety—but changing your relationship with itA gentle alternative to New Year’s resolutionsSimple, compassionate intentions to anchor you this monthA Gentle ReflectionInstead of asking, “What do I need to fix about myself this year?” Try asking: “What do I want to support in myself this year?”Choose one soft intention—not a resolution, not a transformation—just a steady anchor. Let that be enough.January Focus: AnxietyThroughout January, Healing Is My Hobby will explore anxiety with curiosity and compassion—looking at how it shows up in our bodies, thoughts, and behaviors, and how we can respond with more choice and kindness.Connect & Learn MorePodcast & Resources: healingismyhobby.comInstagram & YouTube: @healingismyhobbyClinical Practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.comInstagram: @jessicacolarcolcswThank you for being here. May this year feel less about proving something—and more about coming home to yourself.anxiety, managing anxiety, anxiety support, nervous system, mental wellness, self-compassion, new year anxiety, emotional regulation, gentle healing, mental health podcast

What if you ended the year without fixing, forcing, or reinventing yourself—just listening?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco invites you into a Nervous System Year in Review, a gentle reflection that looks back on the year through the wisdom of the body rather than productivity or achievement. Together, you’ll explore what your nervous system carried, what brought comfort, and what it’s asking for as you step into the new year—with compassion, curiosity, and care.Click here for your free Nervous System Year in Review printableKey TakeawaysHealing doesn't have to feel heavy or clinical.Reflect on what your body carried this year.You don't need to do this perfectly.Recognize what soothed your nervous system.Small moments of stillness can be healing.Our bodies are resilient and intuitive.Acknowledge what you held and healed.Your nervous system needs direction, not resolutions.Choose what feels grounding for the new year.Be gentle with yourself; you are doing well.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Reflection03:42 Reflecting on the Heavy Moments of 202507:04 Finding Comfort and Soothing Practices09:03 Surprises and Lessons from the Year10:12 Acknowledging Personal Growth and Pride12:48 Setting Intentions for 202614:31 Closing Reflections and GratitudeWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbymental wellness, personal growth, nervous system, reflection, self-awareness, emotional strength, healing, intentions, mindfulness, self-care

Have you ever opened social media feeling totally fine… and closed the app feeling off—but you can’t quite explain why?Maybe a post didn’t get the response you hoped for.Maybe you saw something that made you feel left out, behind, or suddenly not enough.In today’s episode of Healing Is My Hobby, we’re exploring why social media can hit so deep—and why those reactions might not be about the app at all. They might be old emotional wounds getting activated.We’ll talk about how feelings like abandonment, comparison, and the need for validation show up online, how they connect to trauma responses, and—most importantly—how to meet those moments with awareness, compassion, and tools that actually help your nervous system settle.This isn’t about quitting social media or shaming yourself for how you feel. It’s about understanding your reactions, separating your worth from likes and comments, and creating digital boundaries that support your emotional health.If you’ve ever thought, “Why did that affect me so much?”—this episode is for you.Key TakeawaysSocial media can trigger emotional responses linked to trauma.Feelings of abandonment can arise from social media interactions.Validation wounds can be triggered by poor post performance.Awareness is crucial for emotional regulation.Naming your emotional wounds can help dissolve shame.Reconnecting with your body aids in emotional regulation.Social media is curated and not the full truth.Reducing exposure during vulnerable moments is important.Likes and comments do not define your self-worth.Creating digital boundaries can support emotional health.Chapters00:00 Understanding Emotional Triggers in Social Media06:19 Navigating Trauma Responses and Regulation Techniques08:59 Practical Tools for Healthy Social Media Engagement09:32 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbysocial media, trauma response, emotional triggers, mental health, awareness, compassion, digital boundaries, emotional regulation, self-care, healing

What happens when you finally stop scrolling long enough to hear your own mind again?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica steps into the Healing Lab to share the surprising results of her four-day social media reset. What started as a simple break quickly revealed how deeply woven digital habits are into daily life—the impulse to check, the discomfort of stillness, and the quiet comparisons happening beneath the surface. Through intentional pauses and mindful detachment, Jessica discovered clarity, sharper focus, and a calmer nervous system. This experiment didn’t just change her screen time—it reshaped her relationship with herself, her time, and the world around her.Key TakeawaysI realized social media doesn't add nearly as much value to my life as I thought.The urge to check was intense, especially in the first two days.With fewer inputs, my thoughts had room to breathe.Emotional discomfort surfaced without the distraction of scrolling.I didn't realize how often I compare until the comparison withdrawal.Micro pauses helped disrupt my autopilot behavior.I feel more productive because my attention is sharper.This single shift has radically reduced any anxiety related to social media.A short pause is enough to break the cycle of compulsive checking.I'm having more ideas and feel more connected to my values.Chapters00:00 The Social Media Reset Experiment02:23 Unpacking Emotional Discomfort04:10 Finding Connection Beyond the Screen05:43 Lessons Learned from the Experiment06:35 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbydigital boundaries, emotional wellness, social media, mental health, self-care, emotional intelligence, intentionality, self-protection, healing, mindfulness

Is your phone draining your energy faster than it drains its battery?In a world where our screens pull at us from the moment we wake up, digital peace isn’t accidental — it’s something we build. In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica dives into the art of digital boundaries and why they’re essential for protecting your mental wellness. Through a warm-up, a strength series, and a soothing cool down, she guides you toward a more intentional, grounded relationship with social media. If your nervous system has been whispering enough, this episode is your invitation to listen.Key TakeawaysDigital boundaries are essential for protecting your peace.Awareness of emotional responses to social media is crucial.Setting limits on social media use can enhance self-regulation.Curating your social media feed is a form of mental hygiene.Taking breaks from social media can help recover from overstimulation.Practicing detachment from external validation is important.Boundaries should feel restorative, not restrictive.Emotional endurance is built through consistent practice of boundary-setting.Self-care for your digital life is as important as physical self-care.Reflection on boundaries can lead to greater emotional insight.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Digital Boundaries01:50 Strength Training for Emotional Resilience04:26 Cool Down and Reflection06:07 Conclusion and Next Steps07:01 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbydigital boundaries, emotional wellness, social media, mental health, self-care, emotional intelligence, intentionality, self-protection, healing, mindfulness

How much is social media shaping your mood—and how much is it training your brain?In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica explores the intricate relationship between social media and mental wellness. She delves into the neuroscience behind scrolling, the impact of comparison culture, cognitive load, and the effects of algorithm-driven anxiety. The conversation highlights the emotional exhaustion caused by constant digital stimulation and offers practical strategies for mindful engagement with social media.Key TakeawaysSocial media significantly influences our emotional well-being.Dopamine release during scrolling creates a cycle of anticipation.Comparison culture can lead to feelings of inadequacy and shame.Cognitive load from social media contributes to emotional exhaustion.Digital burnout is a real phenomenon affecting many users.Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over reality.Intense emotional content keeps users engaged longer.Overstimulation from social media can lead to anxiety and FOMO.Cognitive traps like perfectionism and external validation are common.Mindful practices can help mitigate the negative effects of social media.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Social Media and Mental Wellness01:06 The Neuroscience of Scrolling04:02 The Impact of Comparison Culture06:34 Cognitive Load and Decision Fatigue08:53 Algorithm Anxiety and Its Effects11:50 Cognitive Traps Activated by Social Media13:34 Healthy Reframes for Social Media Use16:09 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbysocial media, mental wellness, neuroscience, dopamine, comparison culture, cognitive load, burnout, algorithm anxiety, emotional exhaustion, mindfulness

What happens when burnout meets old perfectionism and people-pleasing?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the complexities of healing, particularly in relation to trauma responses and burnout. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between stress and trauma responses, and how these can impact the healing journey. Jessica provides practical strategies for self-compassion and healing, encouraging listeners to embrace a slower, more intentional approach to recovery. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming topics related to social media and mental wellness.Key TakeawaysHealing is a journey, not a race.Burnout can complicate the healing process.Understanding trauma responses is crucial for healing.Self-compassion is key in the healing journey.Micro rest practices can aid recovery.Your worth is not tied to your healing speed.Awareness of your reactions can foster healing.Burnout requires time and gentle care to heal.Social media can impact mental wellness significantly.Creating boundaries is essential for emotional health.Chapters00:00 Understanding Trauma Responses in Healing03:20 The Impact of Burnout on Healing06:46 Practical Tools for Healing and Self-Compassion08:50 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyhealing, trauma response, burnout, mental wellness, self-compassion, personal growth, coping strategies, nervous system, emotional health, recovery

What if the secret to burnout recovery is a hot soak and a tiny craft kit?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores burnout recovery through two main practices: heat therapy and slow crafting. She discusses the science behind warm water immersion and its effects on the nervous system, as well as the benefits of engaging in slow, repetitive craft activities like diamond painting. Jessica emphasizes the importance of small, intentional moments for healing and encourages listeners to incorporate simple practices into their daily lives to combat burnout.Key TakeawaysBurnout lives in the body and requires physical interventions.Warm water immersion can lower cortisol and improve sleep quality.Heat therapy can be as simple as a nightly foot soak.Slow crafting activities can activate a flow state and reduce rumination.Engaging in creative activities can restore attention and increase dopamine.Burnout recovery doesn't require massive changes, just small moments of self-care.Taking time for oneself is crucial in combating burnout.Presence in the moment is more important than perfection in healing.Simple practices can lead to significant improvements in mental wellness.Healing is a journey that can start with tiny, intentional actions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Burnout Recovery02:12 Exploring Warm Water Immersion for Burnout04:32 The Impact of Heat Therapy on the Nervous System07:25 Engaging in Slow Crafting: The Diamond Painting Experience09:44 Key Takeaways and Mini Healing Practices12:53 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyburnout recovery, heat therapy, slow crafting, mental wellness, personal growth, nervous system, relaxation techniques, self-care, mindfulness, healing practices

What if journaling could be the antidote to burnout?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the transformative power of journaling as a tool for mental wellness and personal growth. She discusses various techniques for journaling, emphasizing its role in processing thoughts, managing stress, and fostering self-compassion. The episode includes practical exercises and encourages listeners to embrace journaling as a means of self-rescue and healing.Key Takeaways:Journaling helps organize racing thoughts and reduce mental clutter.It engages mindfulness and improves mood and resilience.Writing freely can help process emotions and stress.Journaling can be trauma-informed, allowing for short bursts of writing.There are no rules in journaling; it's about personal expression.Using prompts can help when feeling stuck in writing.Journaling is a mental gym for emotional health.Every page filled is a step toward healing.Self-compassion in journaling is crucial for personal growth.Journaling creates space to notice overlooked moments of joy.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Journaling00:57 The Power of Journaling for Healing04:22 Practical Journaling Techniques05:15 Journaling as a Tool Against Burnout06:03 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement06:48 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyjournaling, mental wellness, self-care, personal growth, stress management, healing practices, mindfulness, self-compassion, therapy, emotional health

Ever wonder why rest doesn’t feel like it’s working anymore?In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the critical distinction between being tired and experiencing burnout. She delves into the signs and symptoms of burnout, its causes, and offers practical strategies for recovery. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of rest, the need for nervous system regulation, setting boundaries, reconnecting with purpose, and seeking professional support when necessary. Jessica encourages listeners to approach their healing journey with compassion and awareness, reminding them that burnout is not a sign of weakness but a call for change.Key Takeaways:Burnout is a chronic state of exhaustion, not just physical but emotional and mental.Rest is not enough to recover from burnout; deeper changes are needed.Understanding the difference between tiredness and burnout is crucial for recovery.Burnout can stem from overcommitment, perfectionism, and lack of boundaries.Different types of rest are necessary for restoration, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual rest.Nervous system regulation is essential for managing stress and burnout.Setting boundaries is a form of self-preservation and helps maintain energy levels.Reconnecting with purpose can reignite joy and meaning in life.Professional support can be vital in addressing burnout and its effects.Healing from burnout is a gradual process that requires awareness and intentional actions.Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyChapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Burnout00:59 Understanding Tiredness vs. Burnout04:53 Identifying Burnout Symptoms06:47 Exploring Types of Rest for Recovery11:02 Resetting the Nervous System19:25 Rebalancing Boundaries and Purpose22:23 Seeking Professional Support for Burnoutburnout, mental wellness, healing, personal growth, emotional health, stress management, self-care, nervous system, boundaries, purpose

Can five sensory cues really help calm your nervous system in under a minute?In this closing episode of the October Stress Series, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, reflects on what we’ve learned about stress and how to tend to it with compassion. She guides listeners through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique — a quick, sensory-based reset that helps shift the nervous system from stress to safety.Jessica reminds us that healing isn’t about eliminating stress or being perfectly calm; it’s about practicing presence, one breath at a time. She also offers a preview of November’s Burnout Series, where she’ll explore what happens when stress lingers too long and how we can reignite purpose and joy.Key TakeawaysUnderstanding stress as the body’s natural response to danger or demandHow chronic stress impacts mood, sleep, digestion, and relationshipsHealing through awareness and small, consistent practicesGuided 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to calm the bodyPreparing for the upcoming Burnout Series: recognizing signs of burnout and rebuilding balance Healing Practice of the WeekTry the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding ResetNotice 5 things you can seeNotice 4 things you can touchNotice 3 things you can hearNotice 2 things you can smellNotice 1 thing you can tasteKeep small sensory items around — like essential oils, gum, or a fidget — to make this practice easier anytime stress arises.Connect & ReflectTake a few moments to journal:What helped you stress a little less this month?How can you bring more calm into your daily routine next week?Stay ConnectedFollow Healing Is My Hobby wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who could use a little more calm today.Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbyNext month: The Burnout Series — how to notice the signs, restore your energy, and rekindle your spark.

In this short and powerful episode of Healing Is My Hobby, licensed clinical social worker Jessica Colarco explores the fine line between stress and burnout — and how to recognize the moment when “too much” becomes “not enough.” Through gentle reflection and grounding affirmations, Jessica reminds listeners that healing starts with awareness and self-compassion.This mindful mini-episode invites you to pause, breathe, and check in with your body’s signals before they become shouts for help.🧠 What You’ll LearnThe key differences between stress and burnoutEarly signs that your nervous system is overwhelmedHow to recognize your body’s signals before you crashGentle affirmations to help you pause without guiltWhy healing is about pausing to recharge, not doing less foreverVisit healingismyhobby.com to join the newsletter and access upcoming resources on burnout recovery.Follow Jessica on Instagram and YouTube for guided practices and healing conversations.

How can a single mindful breath shift your entire day?In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the theme of stress and healing through a guided check-in and breathing exercises. She emphasizes the importance of being present and taking micro moments for self-care, reminding listeners that healing can happen anywhere and that every small act of kindness towards oneself is significant. The episode concludes with a call to practice self-awareness and share personal grounding rituals.Key Takeaways:The hardest part of healing is just showing up.Creating a moment of pause is essential for healing.Trust your stress level without judgment.Healing can start in any environment.Micro moments of stillness contribute to overall well-being.Self-care doesn't require perfect conditions.Every breath and pause is an investment in healing.You are not behind in your healing journey.Practicing presence retrains your nervous system.Daily practices help you come home to yourself.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Healing and Stress Awareness00:40 Guided Check-In and Breathing Exercises03:24 The Importance of Micro Moments in Healing05:09 Conclusion and Daily Practices for Healing05:28 NEWCHAPTERWant to stay in the know? Subscribe to our newsletter here.Contact Jessica here.Let's connect:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobbystress, healing, mindfulness, self-care, breathing exercises, mental health, awareness, presence, nervous system, relaxation