Ep68 Breaking the cycle when you're not a parent with Angèle Cristina
Oct 30, 2024
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Angèle Cristina, a life coach dedicated to mental well-being, discusses breaking harmful familial cycles. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and reassessing relationships that affect mental health. The conversation explores the pressure of societal expectations regarding parenthood and the emotional burden of childhood dynamics. Angèle shares her personal journey towards setting boundaries and fostering autonomy. She also highlights the value of self-acceptance and offers insights on navigating family traumas for personal empowerment.
Breaking free from familial expectations allows individuals to prioritize their mental health and choose a life that feels authentic to them.
Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for personal growth, empowering individuals to recognize their worth and nurture meaningful connections.
Deep dives
Navigating Online Safety Through Play
Talking to children about online safety can be an engaging experience. Families can utilize free activities that focus on essential topics like cyberbullying and screen time through play. These activities encourage open communication in a fun and interactive setting, allowing children to absorb safety concepts more effectively. The goal is to equip children with the tools they need to thrive in the digital world.
The Impact of Parental Relationships on Mental Health
The discussion highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health, especially in the context of familial relationships. Personal experiences reveal that distancing oneself from toxic family dynamics can improve overall well-being. Choosing to lessen contact with parents or relatives can be a necessary step for preserving one’s mental health. This choice is often viewed as countercultural, challenging the notion that familial bonds should always come first.
Childlessness and Societal Pressure
The podcast addresses societal expectations surrounding motherhood and the pressure women face to have children. A personal narrative illustrates how the fear of being seen as 'broken' for not wanting children can be emotionally burdensome. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, showing that individuals can choose not to conform to family or societal pressures regarding childbearing. By creating a community of support, listeners are encouraged to discuss and share their own experiences with choosing a child-free life.
Self-Discovery Through Healthy Boundaries
Developing healthy boundaries is critical for personal growth and self-discovery. The conversation explores how engaging in self-awareness practices helps individuals recognize when familial relationships are causing distress. Real-life experiences illustrate how setting boundaries can lead to empowerment and a deeper understanding of one's worth. By prioritizing oneself, individuals can create space for healing and foster more meaningful connections in their lives.
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith talks with life coach Angèle Cristina about breaking the cycle for YOU without being a parent. You can find Angèle here: https://www.instagram.com/angelecristinaofficial/profilecard/?igsh=dG5rOHQ2OHhxdm9l
If you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum