Episodi
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Ever tell yourself, âIâve got to stop naggingââand then do it anyway?
Or find yourself falling into the same bad habit you wish you could just stop?
Whether itâs reminding your teen (again), pouring a glass of wine you swore youâd skip, or losing it after vowing to stay calm⊠youâre not alone. And thereâs a reason these habits feel so hard to break.In this episode, I share why these patternsânagging, numbing, controllingâarenât just bad habits. Theyâre emotional coping strategies rooted in how your brain tries to manage fear, overwhelm, and disconnection in motherhood. If you're parenting teens or approaching the empty nest, and stuck in habits you donât like but canât seem to change, this episode will show you thereâs nothing wrong with youâand that real change is possible.
Hereâs what youâll take away from this episode:
Why nagging and other unwanted behaviors are your brainâs attempt to solve emotional discomfort
How unprocessed feelings like resentment and anxiety quietly drive your actions (and what to do instead)
A powerful question you can ask yourself to begin breaking free of the cycleâwithout just relying on willpower
đ§ Ready to take the next step? Learn how to manage your mind and create more peace by saving your seat for my next free monthly masterclass â click here to register: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class
đȘ Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
â Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at [email protected].
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers raising teens as they approach the empty nest, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Are you a mom of teens or young adults who finds herself constantly second-guessing decisions, holding back your opinions, or putting your own desires on pause to keep others happy? You might be caught in the Approval Trap. And if you've spent years putting others first, itâs no wonder confidence feels hard to access right now.
In this episode of the Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I unpack Mindset Trap #12âthe Approval Trap. This isn't just about people-pleasing. It's about how deeply motherhood conditions us to seek approval and shape our identity around what others need, expect, or value. You'll hear why it's so common to feel unsure of who you are as your teen becomes more independent, how people-pleasing patterns sneak into parenting decisions, and what it really takes to rebuild confidence when youâre no longer the center of your kidsâ world.
If you're navigating the emotional rollercoaster of parenting teens, redefining your purpose, or learning to set boundaries without guilt, this episode offers a powerful reframe. You'll walk away with insight and encouragement to stop overthinking and start trusting yourself again so you can step into a more confident and grounded version of yourself.
đĄ Join me for my next free masterclass: https://www.thesmalljar.com/class
đȘ Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
â Have questions or want to share your feedback? I'd love to hear from you! You can email me at [email protected].
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers raising teens as they approach the empty nest, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Episodi mancanti?
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Ever find yourself staring at your teenâs behavior thinking, this canât be happening? Whether itâs a missed curfew, a cold shoulder, or the ache of disconnection, itâs so easy to fall into the trap of resisting what is â and itâs costing us more than we realize. In this episode, Iâm diving deep into the mindset trap of resisting reality â what it looks like in parenting teens and almost-empty-nest life, how it connects to anxiety and emotional overwhelm, and why the harder we fight whatâs happening, the more powerless we feel. But hereâs the twist: resisting reality isnât love â and itâs not control either. Itâs war. And when weâre at war with reality, we lose every time.
Youâll learn:
đ„ Why this trap is different from the âshouldâ trap and how they often work together
đ„ Three real-life examples of how this trap plays out for moms â from controlling curfews to pushing for connection and dismissing your own feelings
đ„ What becomes possible when we stop resisting and start responding to our teens â and our lives â with clarity, intention, and self-trustLetting go doesnât mean giving up. It means reclaiming your power.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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If you pictured summer with your teen feeling relaxing, connected, maybe even joyfulâbut instead, youâre staring at a messy house, unpredictable schedules, and feeling more frustration than peaceâyouâre not alone. In this episode, Iâm sharing what summer has looked like in my house so farâand how easy it is to get caught in disappointment when reality doesnât match your hopes. But weâre not just talking about letting go of expectations.
In this episode youâll learn:
âïž Why even reasonable expectations can leave you feeling anxious, resentful, or disconnected
âïž How to uncover the emotional need underneath what youâre hoping for
âïž And how to shift from frustration to peaceâwithout needing your teen to changeIf youâre a mom of teens or college kids trying to stop overthinking, set better boundaries, and feel more grounded in this messy, in-between season⊠this oneâs for you.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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There was a momentâstanding in my kitchen, alone on a Saturday while my kids were out living their livesâwhen I asked myself, âIs this it? Who am I now?â
In this episode, Iâm talking about the identity crisis so many of us face as moms of teens, college students, and young adults. Whether you're in the thick of middle school meltdowns or staring at an empty bedroom, the shift in how you're needed can leave you feeling invisible, untethered, and quietly asking, Whatâs my purpose now?
Iâll share how this trap has followed me through every stageâfrom folding laundry while my kids chased their dreams, to navigating emotional distance, to standing in the stillness of the empty nest. Iâll also explore why this mindset trap is so deeply rooted in how weâve been wired to find validation, avoid pain, and define our worth by what we do for others.
If youâve ever felt lost in this season of transitionâor wondered how to find your way back to yourselfâthis episode is for you. Youâll hear my story, some powerful reflections, and the quiet truth that your purpose never left you⊠youâve just been looking for it in all the wrong places. Letâs talk about how you move forwardânot by reinventing who you are, but by finally deciding for yourself.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Thereâs a moment when it hits you: this is the last time. The last prom. The last school lunch. The last graduation day. And itâs not just about your teen moving on â itâs about everything this moment brings up for you. In this episode, Iâm reflecting on my own journey as a mom of teens standing at the edge of the empty nest, and what this season has taught me about identity, connection, and the deep, invisible work of motherhood. Letting go isnât one big act â itâs a thousand tiny shifts. And itâs not about giving up. Itâs about showing up â for your teen, and for yourself â in a whole new way. If youâre feeling the ache of transition, or just craving peace in the push-pull of this stage, this conversation is for you. Youâre not alone.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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If youâre a mom of teens and youâve ever found yourself feeling anxious, overthinking, or just wondering why doesnât anyone notice everything I do?âthis episode is for you. In this next part of the Mindset Traps of the Empty Nest series, Iâm talking about validation seekingâhow it shows up, why itâs so normal, and what it costs us when we donât see it clearly. This isnât about trying to let go of your kidâitâs about letting go of the belief that their behavior defines your worth. If youâve been stuck in self-doubt, resentment, or constantly waiting for a thank-you that never comes, I hope this episode brings you some peaceâand a little more power.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Motherâs Day hasnât always felt the way I thought it would â especially as a mom of teenagers. I spent years waiting to be celebrated, managing my mindset around disappointment, and wondering if anyone really saw everything I was carrying. In this episode, Iâm sharing a raw and honest reflection on why this day can feel so emotionally charged, and what Iâve learned about letting go â not just of expectations, but of the idea that our worth depends on anyone elseâs recognition. If youâre navigating the almost empty nest, this conversation will give you the perspective and permission you didnât know you needed.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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If youâre a mom of a teen and you ever find yourself thinking, âI should be more patient... I should give them more space⊠I should have done something differently,â this episode is for you.
In this weekâs episode of the Mindset Traps of the Empty Nest series, Iâm diving into the Should Trap. As moms, especially in this stressful season leading up to the empty nest, we carry around an invisible checklist of expectationsâand when we donât meet those expectations, we donât just feel like weâve made a mistake⊠we feel like weâre failing. In this episode, Iâll show you how this trap disguises itself as good parenting, where these âshouldâ thoughts really come from, and how they layer with other mindset traps like personalization and perfectionism to keep you stuck in guilt, pressure, and self-doubt.
If youâve been feeling like no matter what you do, itâs never enoughâyouâre not alone, and youâre not doing it wrong. Letâs unravel the Should Trap together, and help you reconnect with peace, self-trust, and the mom you actually want to be.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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In todayâs episode, Iâm getting real about one of the hardest parts of raising teensâsetting boundaries. Not boundaries to control your teen or fix their behaviorâbut boundaries that reconnect you to your own peace, clarity, and confidence. Weâll talk about why boundaries feel so hard (hint: itâs not because youâre doing it wrong), whatâs actually underneath the guilt and second-guessing, and how the most powerful boundary you can ever set⊠is the one you set with yourself. If youâve been feeling like youâre losing connection with your teenâor losing connection with yourselfâthis conversation will help you find your way back.
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Weâre continuing the Empty Nest Mindset Trap series this week with one of the most common and exhausting patterns I see in anxious moms: worst-case scenario thinking. Maybe your teenâs been struggling in school for a while⊠or theyâve been more distant lately. The concerns are realâbut your brain takes that evidence and spins it into something so much bigger, imagining futures that feel terrifying and out of your control. Iâve been there too, lying awake at night trying to solve problems that havenât even happened yet. In this episode, Iâll show you why your mind goes to the worst-case, how this spiral quietly steals your peace, and how to step out of the fear and back into calm, connection, and confidenceâright now.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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This episode is for every anxious, almost empty nest mom whose heart is tangled up in her teenâs future. Whether you're in the thick of college admissions or simply watching your child make choices that feel high-stakes, I promiseâyouâre not alone. I share my own raw experience of watching my son navigate college decisions and the gut-punch of feeling powerless. But this isnât just a conversation about college. Itâs about the fear of failureânot just for our teens, but our own fear of failing them. And how that fear keeps so many of us stuck in anxiety, control, and self-doubt. Weâll explore how to let go, how to love without needing to fix, and why reclaiming your emotional peace is the most powerful gift you can giveâto your teen, and to yourself. If youâre a mom who lies awake at night wondering if youâve done enoughâŠthis episode is for you.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #6 - Personalization
Ever feel like your teenâs bad mood is somehow your fault? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, Iâm diving deep into one of the most painful and sneaky mindset traps we moms fall intoâpersonalization. Itâs that gut-wrenching habit of making our kidsâ struggles, choices, and emotions mean something about us. Iâve lived it, Iâve coached through it, and Iâve seen how it quietly steals our peace and strains our connection with our kids. But hereâs the truth: this trap isnât who you areâitâs just a pattern your brain has learned. And once you see it, you can start to let it go. Join me for a heartfelt look at how to release the guilt, reclaim your power, and show up with the love and presence youâve always wanted to give.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Have you ever felt like you're living in two worlds at onceâstill deep in the trenches of motherhood while also staring down an almost-empty nest? I know I have. In this episode, I dive into what I call the Empty Nest Straddleâthat long, messy, emotional transition where you're constantly shifting between holding on and letting go. Itâs the push and pull of still being needed while feeling your child drift into their own independence. And if youâve ever wrestled with uncertainty, control, or the fear of what comes next for you, youâre not alone. Iâll share why this transition feels so hard, the mindset traps that make it even harder, and how we can start trusting ourselves to navigate this season with more peace, confidence, and clarity.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #5 - Perfectionism
In this episode, Iâm digging into one of the most exhausting and invisible traps so many of us fall intoâperfectionism. You might think you're just trying to do your best, but what if that constant pressure to get it all right is actually making motherhoodâand lifeâso much harder than it has to be? Iâll share how perfectionism shows up in ways you might not expect, how it affects your relationship with your teen, and how it keeps you stuck in fear and self-doubt. Most importantly, Iâll show you how to begin letting go of this impossible standard so you can step into more peace, trust, and confidence as both a mom and a woman in your next chapter.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Some moms dread the empty nest...and some of us....can't wait. Have you ever found yourself counting down the days until your child leaves home (either for the first time or after a visit)âbut then feeling guilty about it? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the emotional rollercoaster of looking forward to the empty nest while still holding space for the deep love we have for our kids. Why do some of us feel relief at the thought of reclaiming our time, while others struggle with the idea of letting go? And most importantly, why do we wait to feel betterâbelieving peace, joy, and purpose will come after our kids leave? What if we didnât have to wait? Join me as we unpack these emotions and explore how you can start embracing the next chapter of your life right now.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #4 - Illusion of Control
Have you ever found yourself checking your kid, reminding them (again) about their responsibilities, or feeling that tight grip of anxiety when they donât do what you ask or hope they'll do? If so, youâre not alone. In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into one of the biggest mindset traps we face as moms of teensâthe illusion of control. For years, weâve shaped our childrenâs lives, guiding them, protecting them, ensuring their happiness. But as they step into independence, we find ourselves holding on tighter, convinced that if we just say or do the right thing, we can keep them safe, successful, and happy. The truth? We were never in control to begin with. And the more we try, the more frustrated, exhausted, and disconnected we feel. In this episode, Iâll show you why letting go doesnât mean giving upâit means finding peace, trust, and a whole new way to connect with your big kid.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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Two years ago, I recorded an episode about the last 100 days before my oldest son's high school graduationâfull of emotion, nostalgia, and the feeling that time was slipping away. Now, I'm here again, counting down the last 100 days with my youngest, but this time, everything feels different. In this episode, I reflect on how much I've grown, how my perspective has shifted, and what Iâve learned about letting go, trusting the journey, and embracing this season with peace instead of fear. If youâre feeling the weight of change and wondering how to navigate it with grace, this oneâs for you.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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MINDSET TRAPS OF THE EMPTY NEST - Trap #3 - Comparison Trap
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through social media, seeing another momâs perfectly happy family vacation, and feeling that pang of âWhy canât I have that?â Or maybe youâve heard about another teenâs big achievement and suddenly questioned whether youâve done enough for your own child? In this episode of The Almost Empty Nest Podcast, I dive into the comparison trapâone of the sneakiest mindset traps that keeps us feeling inadequate and anxious. Iâll unpack why our brains are wired to compare, how it distorts our sense of worth, and most importantly, how to break free from this cycle so you can step into confidence, peace, and the truth that you are already enough.
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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I used to think self-awareness meant being brutally honest about all the ways I was falling shortâuntil I realized that what I thought was awareness was actually just self-judgment. In this episode, Iâm redefining what true self-awareness really looks like and how shifting your perspective can change everything. Youâll learn why self-judgment keeps you stuck, how to recognize sneaky mindset traps disguised as "truth," and the simple but powerful shift that will help you trust yourself and move forward with confidence. If youâve ever felt like youâre your own worst critic, this episode is for you. Listen now and start seeing yourself in a whole new way!
Download a free Mindset Trap Detector here: https://www.thesmalljar.com/detector
Curious about coaching with Small Jar? Check out our Mom 2.0 coaching program: www.thesmalljar.com/Mom-2-0
This empowering podcast offers life coaching for moms and parenting support for midlife mothers navigating empty nest transitions with their teenagers, teaching them how to let go of control, stop overthinking, and shift their mindset, while also helping them set boundaries, improve communication, reduce anxiety, release mom guilt, and find purpose in the evolving journey of parenting teens and motherhood.
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