In today’s episode, Britt talks with Dr. Sarah Meyer about the pursuit of perfection and more importantly, the pursuit of grace. While discussing her own journey, including struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, she explains how she came to realize that there is no such thing as perfect and that chasing such an unattainable goal only compounds stress in an already stressful world. Dr. Sarah talks about the ways science, therapy, resources, and faith all work together to relieve anxiety and support mental health in their own individual way. She also speaks to the strategies she uses within her own life to help keep her grounded when difficult seasons come.

Dr. Sarah Meyer has been married to her husband Mike for 17 years and they have 5 children, ages 9 and under. She graduated with her doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011 and worked full-time in outpatient therapy until starting her family in 2014, when she made the decision to step away from her career and stay home while their children were young. During this time, Sarah struggled with being at home full-time and developed severe depression and anxiety, ultimately spiraling down to the point of suicidal ideations. Through a series of God moments, she was led back into a healthy lifestyle and now has a passion to help other women who are struggling to know that there is hope and space to thrive no matter their season of life. At the end of 2020, Sarah launched “Embrace. Live. Thrive.” and is now on a mission to destigmatize mental health issues in motherhood and educate women on the foundations of self-care.  The Embrace. Live. Thrive Podcast can be found on all major podcast apps. 

In this episode, Britt talks with Dr. Sarah about:

-The pressure to be perfect and why that’s an unattainable goal

-The power of empathy and self-compassion

-The importance of boundaries, connection, & mindfulness within relationships

-The roles of community and faith in mental health support systems

-Strategies to utilize and work through adversity and create perception shifts

Quotable

“It’s been through a series of...little God moments that He really has taught me that the basis of connection is understanding, vulnerability, empathy, self-compassion, and understanding that we’re all doing the best that we can.”  - Dr. Sarah Meyer

“Jesus practiced self-care. He practiced retreat, he practiced compassion for others, but he did that because he was invested in the heart of the Father. And so, as believers, we find that same grace, for ourselves because of the grace that God extends to us.”  - Britt Smith

“If you are your true, authentic self, your people will be drawn to you.” Dr. Sarah Meyer

“Sometimes what we walk through isn’t completely for us, it’s for those we walk with.” - Dr. Sarah Meyer

“We’ve got to have an eternal mindset, but we also have to be open to the fact that God is using the world around us and the people within our communities to bring healing and hope.” - Britt Smith

Resources:

Embrace.Live.Thrive Website

Embrace.Live.Thrive Insta

Embrace.Live.Thrive Facebook Page

Embrace.Live.Thrive Linktree

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Keep cultivating common ground and common grace!