Medium Lady Talks: Burnout Recovery for Millennials and Mothers

Episode 157: The Scroll Reflex: Finding Sensory Rest in a Noisy World

Series: Phone Free Fall – Scroll Less. Live More.
Keywords: phone addiction, sensory rest, digital wellness, mindfulness, motherhood burnout, nervous-system regulation, overstimulation, real rest, millennial moms, self-care
Summary :In Episode 157 of Medium Lady Talks, host Erin Vandeven takes listeners deeper into the Phone Free Fall series—exploring why so many of us instinctively reach for our phones and how that reflex keeps us from real rest.
Building on last week’s episode Welcome to Phone Free Fall, Erin reveals that scrolling isn’t a failure of willpower—it’s a learned nervous-system shortcut. Our brains use screens to numb when we’re overstimulated and to spark when we’re bored. The result? We rarely let our senses slow down long enough to truly feel alive.
This episode introduces sensory rest, the practice of noticing how your body feels when you stop flooding it with input. Erin shares her own experiments with putting down earbuds, sipping coffee in silence, and noticing textures, sounds, and smells as everyday acts of recovery. Drawing on listener poll insights—where nearly half admitted they scroll to “escape and numb”—she explores how to replace that quick dopamine hit with micro-joys that actually restore energy and connection.
You’ll walk away with:✨ A new understanding of the scroll reflex and how to retrain it🧘‍♀️ A simple “one scroll → one sensory moment” experiment to try this week🪞 Three reflection prompts to help you notice when and why you scroll🌿 Ideas for small sensory rituals that make you feel grounded and alive
Because the goal isn’t to delete your apps—it’s to bring quiet, creativity, and curiosity back into your real life.
🎧 Listen now to Medium Lady Talks – Episode 157: The Scroll Reflex & the Art of Sensory Rest💬 Experiment: Replace one scroll moment with one sensory moment.
 
 
The series starts here!
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
#PhoneFreeFall #MediumLadyTalks #SensoryRest #DigitalWellness #ScrollLessLiveMore #MindfulLiving #BurnoutRecovery #RestRevolution #MillennialMoms #SelfCareJourney

Episode 156: Welcome to Phone Free Fall

🪂 Episode 156 — Welcome to Phone Free Fall
Keywords: phone addiction, digital wellness, social media burnout, motherhood and mental health, mindful living, rest, overstimulation, self-care, millennial mothers
Summary :In the first episode of her new series Phone Free Fall, host Erin Vandeven explores the surprising truth behind her biggest barrier to real rest — her phone. Building on the success of The Summer of Real Rest, Erin opens up about how social media, overstimulation, and invisible labor keep so many millennial women from feeling truly restored.
Drawing on new research from Her Index 2025 and JAMA Internal Medicine, Erin connects the dots between burnout, digital clutter, and the steep decline in mothers’ mental health. She offers honest reflections on the addictive pull of social media, the false sense of productivity our screens provide, and what happens when we trade real connection for the scroll.
This episode invites listeners to join Erin in a gentle experiment: silence your notifications for 24 hours and notice how your attention shifts. You’ll learn how awareness — not guilt — can help you reclaim mental space, sensory rest, and creativity.
If you’ve ever thought, “I know social media is bad for me, but all my friends are in there,” this episode is your invitation to scroll less and live more.
Listen to discover:
Why your phone might be the biggest barrier to rest
How digital clutter mirrors emotional clutter
The connection between social media use and women’s declining mental health
Three reflection prompts to help you notice your phone habits
A realistic way to start your own Phone Free Fall
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
#PhoneFreeFall #MediumLadyTalks #DigitalWellness #MindfulLiving #SocialMediaDetox #RestRevolution #MillennialMoms #BurnoutRecovery #ScrollLessLiveMore

Episode 155: Start Small When You Don't Know How to REst

Have you ever thought, “I don’t even know what would be restorative right now”? You’re not alone. In fact, nearly 60% of women report spending no time on self-care most days, leaving them depleted and unsure how to fill their own tank.
In this episode 155 of Medium Lady Talks, I share a practical way to bridge the gap between knowing you’re exhausted and actually choosing something restorative. Building on Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s 7 Types of Rest, I introduce my simplified BEMS framework, four buckets you can reach for when you’re too tired to think clearly:
Body (hydrate, stretch, nap, walk)
Emotions (cry, laugh, connect with someone safe)
Mind (phone break, music, doodle, brain dump)
Senses (dim the lights, light a candle, step outside)
You’ll hear why decision fatigue makes it so hard to choose rest, what the latest research tells us about the decline in maternal mental health, and how invisible labor and overstimulation drain us daily. (For reference, here’s the JAMA study I mention: Trends and Disparities in Maternal Self-Reported Mental and Physical Health, 2016–2023).
If you’ve been feeling flat, frazzled, or unsure how to restore yourself, this episode will give you a gentle place to start — one tiny action at a time.
✨ Bonus: Patreon subscribers can download the printable Restorative Cheat Sheet that turns this framework into an easy everyday tool - will be Published  on Tuesday Sept 30
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Episode 154: The Restful Reset: Using the Fall Equinox to Welcome What's Next

Feeling the shift from summer to fall? This episode of Medium Lady Talks guides you through my How to Start a New Month workbook — a simple, cozy ritual for reflection, balance, and self-care. Grab your free copy on Patreon and join me in creating a restful reset for what’s next.
The Fall Equinox is the perfect reminder that transitions are worth noticing. In episode 154 of Medium Lady Talks, I’m inviting you to pause, reflect, and reset as we move from the brightness of summer into the slower rhythm of fall. Whether you’re listening on the equinox or months later, this episode will guide you through my How to Start a New Month workbook — a gentle framework for welcoming change with more rest and less hustle.
Together, we’ll explore:
How to reflect on what you already know about the coming season
What lessons and resilience you can carry forward from summer
How to cultivate a cozy, sensory vibe for fall that feels uniquely yours
Simple ways to make small, meaningful plans that honor your energy
✨ Download the free workbook here: How to Start a New Month PDF
If you’re feeling the weight of invisible labor or resisting the darker days ahead, this episode is your invitation to pause, notice, and claim your own restful reset. The equinox may only last a day, but the practice of balance and reflection can carry you through the whole season.
~~~
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
 
This episode marks the end of our “Summer of Real Rest” series a time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
 
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
 

Episode 153: What Can You Put Down (For Now)?

What if the reason you feel so depleted isn’t that you’re not trying hard enough… but that you’re carrying too much?
In episode 153 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin explores the radical question: What can you put down, for now? As we close out the Summer of Real Rest series and transition toward fall, Erin guides you through a playful self-assessment quiz to help you identify the weight you’ve been carrying — and what you can finally release.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why so many women admit to spending 0% of their day on self-care (Her Index survey)
How grind culture convinces us that fatigue = worthiness
Why decision fatigue can feel more comfortable than choosing to rest
The four biggest energy drains: productivity as morality, over-functioning in relationships, white-knuckle mental control, and perfectionism
A fun 3-question quiz to help you discover what you can put down this season
💬 Quotes from the episode:
“Something has to give for you to get that time for yourself. The problem we’re coming from is a zero percent rest rate.”
“You don’t have to burn it all down — but you can’t keep carrying everything.”
“Rest is not quitting. It’s about choosing the margin of space you need to be you.”
This episode is a gentle but firm reminder: rest doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing less — and choosing what to put down.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
 
 
#mediumladytalks #summerofrealrest #restrevolution #burnoutrecovery #selfcareforwomen #mentalrest #decisionfatigue #boundariesarebeautiful #softwork #perfectionismrecovery

Episode 152: Managing End of Summer Grief - How to Find Rest in Transitions

Did you think the best summer of your life would carry you straight into fall with joy and energy—only to find yourself feeling tired, sad, or a little… beige? You’re not alone. Many of us experience the end of summer blues or what I’m calling summer grief.
In this Episode 152 of Medium Lady Talks, I dive into why seasonal transitions feel so heavy, and how to navigate them with intention. We’ll talk about:
The emotional drop that comes with the end of summer and back-to-school season
Why psychologists recognize summertime sadness and even reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
How invisible labor and new routines contribute to stress and burnout for moms and caregivers
Practical strategies using the 7 types of rest (sensory, mental, emotional, social, creative, physical, and spiritual)
How the September full moon and the autumn equinox can be embraced as rituals for balance, release, and renewal
I’ll share real examples from my week, including:
Turning my phone to black-and-white mode for sensory rest
Creating small 20-minute tasks to reset my home for mental rest
Reaching out to my therapist and friends for emotional rest
Saying no to extra commitments for social rest
Building seasonal clothing capsules for creative rest
Exploring moon cycles and equinox reflections for spiritual rest
✨ Takeaway: If you’re feeling the September slump, you’re not broken. Your body, your calendar, and even the cosmos are shifting. Choose one kind of rest, one ritual, or one reframe to meet yourself with softness this season.
🔑 Keywords: end of summer grief, summer blues, summertime sadness, reverse seasonal affective disorder, seasonal transition, autumn equinox rituals, fall self-care, seven types of rest, sensory rest, emotional rest, seasonal burnout recovery
💌 Let’s stay connected:
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady with the kind of rest you’re choosing this September
Share this episode in your stories and tag me so we can encourage each other
And remember: you’re doing such a good job.
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
 
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Episode 151: Embracing the Season Your Life Has to Offer with guest Ashley Gibson

What season of life are you in—and what would it mean to actually honour that season instead of resisting it?
In this episode 151 of Medium Lady Talks, I’m joined by my friend and thoughtful powerhouse Ashley Gibson, who brings a beautiful mix of vulnerability, wisdom, and humour to her story. Ashley is a program management lead in tech, a creative multi-passionate elder millennial, a reformed perfectionist, and a chronic illness warrior. But more than that, she’s someone who’s learning (like many of us) that doing it all is neither sustainable nor required.
We talk about:🥧 The "pie chart of life" and how to make peace with the slices that need to grow—or shrink🌀 Why it's more than okay to change your mind (even about things you once loved)💊 What Ashley learned about identity, health, and shame when her chronic illness flared🔁 Why needing help doesn’t mean failure—and how that belief keeps so many of us stuck🛏️ Redefining real rest as a proactive, intentional practice—not a reward you earn
This episode is part of our Summer of Real Rest series and will resonate with anyone who’s navigating shifting capacity, letting go of side hustles, recalibrating goals, or just wondering why things that used to fit don’t feel so right anymore.
Ashley reminds us:
“You can love something and still let it go. You can be proud of it and still step away.”
We hope this conversation helps you feel seen—and gives you permission to meet yourself exactly where you are.
More About Ashley
Ashley Gibson is a Toronto-based program manager, musical theatre fan, chronic illness advocate, and reformed perfectionist. Online and IRL, she shares openly about navigating life with Crohn’s disease, making intentional shifts in work and identity, and how to live with more joy, softness, and style.
📍Follow her @ashleydtl for travel recs, honest reflections, and vibrant real-life vibes.
Listener Favorites from This Episode
⏱️ 12:30 — Letting go of side hustles & the emotional weight of change⏱️ 22:00 — Why Ginger Spice was Ashley’s first blueprint for self-trust⏱️ 34:15 — Rethinking medication, identity, and the false binary of "sick" vs "well"⏱️ 41:00 — Real rest as the first step, not the reward
Loving the Show?
Tag us @medium.lady and tell us what season you’re in.Leave a review, share with a friend, or just hit play while you’re letting one of your own “slices of the pie” rest a little.
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!
 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 45 - Welcome to Season Three of Medium Lady Reads 
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Episode 150: Mothering Yourself, Recovery and Sobriety with Sober Coach and Author Amy C. Willis

What if the care you needed wasn’t one more task, but a radical act of self-trust?
In Episode 150, I’m joined by Amy C. Willis, sober coach, speaker, and founder of Hol + Well. Amy works with women and queer folks to explore what’s possible in a life free from alcohol—one rooted in rest, boundaries, and real self-care.
We explore the concept of mothering yourself—a tender and transformative practice that helped Amy through early sobriety when she didn’t yet feel worthy of care. This idea ties beautifully into our Summer of Real Rest series, especially for those who are exhausted from being everything to everyone.
In this conversation, Amy and I discuss:
Why “mommy wine culture” is predatory, not empowering
How sobriety and burnout recovery share similar emotional truths
The stigma around choosing to be alcohol-free—even if you don’t identify as “in recovery”
Why we need to dismantle the binary between problem drinking and “normal” drinking
What truly restorative self-care looks like in recovery (hint: it’s not what Instagram tells you)
One of the most powerful things Amy says in this episode is:
“Whatever you’re looking for in alcohol, you’ll actually find in sobriety.”
Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or simply burned out and craving more care—you’ll find so much resonance and reflection here.
Amy’s Resources & Recommendations
🔗 Instagram @msamycwillis
💻 Website: holandwell.com
💬 Join her private Facebook group
📚 Book Recommendation: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri
More from Medium Lady
I’ve been alcohol-free since 2018—not because of addiction, but because alcohol made my anxiety and migraines worse. Still, even naming that choice out loud feels like a big deal. Amy and I unpack why alcohol is still seen as a default, and what it means to make a different choice.
This episode is part of the Summer of REAL Rest series—where we’re talking about sustainable care, nervous system softness, and how to stop outsourcing your well-being.
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Episode 149: Give Your Heart a Break with Some Emotional Rest

Do you ever feel completely drained after “being nice”?If so, you might not need more sleep — you might need emotional rest.
In Episode 149 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin explores how emotional fatigue often hides in plain sight, especially for chronic people pleasers. She shares why people-pleasing is a constant leak on your energy, how it erases your sense of self in relationships, and why emotional rest is one of the most overlooked (but deeply necessary) types of rest.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
What emotional fatigue feels like (and how it’s different from mental fatigue)
Why chronic people-pleasing quietly drains you from morning to night
How to reframe boundaries as saying yes to yourself, not just saying no to others
Why emotional rest means giving yourself permission to not be emotionally available 24/7
The “Pause Button for Your Heart”: a 3-step tool to help you set down feelings that aren’t yours to carry
💬 Quotes from the episode:
“If you identify as a chronic people pleaser, that is a leak on your energy. And it is constant: it is there when you wake up and it is there when you go to bed.”
“A lot of people pleasers don't set boundaries because they think that saying no is mean, or hurtful. But I really think we can see our boundaries beyond saying no to others; more about saying yes to ourselves.”
“If you want to get emotional rest, you're going to have to give yourself permission to not be emotionally available 24/7.”
“What people pleasers do is they empathize so deeply it’s like they become the person they’re trying to keep happy and control. But you unintentionally erase yourself from the relationship."
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 142
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
#mediumladytalks #summerofrealrest #emotionalrest #peoplepleasingrecovery #burnoutrecovery #boundariesarebeautiful #softwork #selfcareforreal #emotionalfatigue #restmindset #podcastforwomen

Episode 148: You're Closer to Rest Than You Think: How I Found Rest in the Middle of a Stressful Work Day

What if the gap between burned out hot mess and well-rested badass is… just five minutes?
In Epidosde 148 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin shares a personal moment from a wildly stressful workday where a handful of tiny, intentional choices helped her find real rest—without escaping, quitting, or checking out. This is a grounded, gentle episode that proves rest is not about perfection. It’s about margin.
✨ Inside this episode:
The story of a high-stress day and the 5-minute pause that changed everything
A live, personal example of mental and sensory rest in action
What happens when you interrupt hustle culture in real time
The return of our favorite themes: moral math, decision fatigue, and the lie that you have to earn rest
A toolkit of 7 Well-Rested Badass questions to help you find relief, even in motion
You’ll also hear reflections that build on:
Ep 144: Sacred Rest & Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Ep 145: Are You Proud of Being Tired?
Ep 146: When My Eye Stops Twitching
Ep 147: The Toxic To-Do List
This episode is proof that you’re closer to rest than you think.
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!  Episode 142
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads