When does self-improvement cross the line into self-flagellation? Are we using personal development and goal setting to undermine ourselves? How can self-improvement and self-acceptance co-exist in a world that increasingly wants us to choose sides?

In this episode, we'll reflect on what's working in our lives and strike a balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance by acknowledging and being mindful of our wondrous qualities. We'll:

• Explore the ways we feel wondrous or do wondrous things that define our integrity and personality.
• Understand how self-belonging, self-reliance, and self-acceptance co-exist in our lives.
• Distinguish between feeling wondrous when we help others, and being wonderous as a natural state of being.
• Consider how being more self-accepting can enhance our striving for personal goals by empowering us to change because it feels good, not out of feeling "less than." 

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

Want to reengage with yourself and put creative self-care back on your to-do list? Head over to my website, lettheverseflow.com, and sign up for my free newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape. Twice per month, I’ll send you 3 essential, hand-curated links/resources on creative self-care tips, tools, and strategies.

Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Songs in this episode: Super C by JMPSCR; Slide by GEMM; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters

Related Episodes:

Believing in Yourself: How Self-Reliance Grows (#47)

The Art of Belonging: Creating Space for Yourself (#43)

Personal Growth Is In the Process: How to Love Where You Are (#42)

Build a Personal Growth Practice (with Creative Self-Care) (#14)

Journal Prompts:

1. Which of my personality traits or mindset qualities is wondrous? 
2. Write about your intention to recognize and be present with your wondrousness more consistently throughout the day.
3. Do my personal growth goals feel empowering, or am I putting too much negative pressure on myself? How can I restructure my goals to be more attainable?

Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com

I’m wrapping up Season 3 and taking a break over the holidays, but I’ll be back on January 14th for Season 4 with a new series on some of the essential life lessons my sweet mom taught me. Until then, I’m wishing you all good things, and time and space to try new things. Maybe a new creative project, quality time with friends, or deep rest. Do what lights you up inside and fills you with a sense of purpose. You deserve those moments for yourself. See you on January 14th.