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Why You Keep Looking for Permission to Feel What You Feel
Validation seeking is the pattern of relying on external praise or reassurance from others to feel secure or worthy. Many people have learned to automatically invalidate their own feelings because they've absorbed messages throughout their life about which emotions are acceptable and which should be hidden. Learn how to develop self-validation and trust your own emotional experience.
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Woman with hands on forehead practicing self-reflection and emotional awareness for self-validation
When Anxiety Isn’t Proof Something Is Wrong With You
Anxiety can feel like proof something is wrong with you, especially during prolonged stress or uncertainty. This piece explores anxiety as a response rather than a personal failing and outlines a more compassionate way to understand and work with it.
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woman experiencing anxiety and stress at work desk holding head in hands
What Happens When You Stop Fighting Your Feelings
You know that voice that says "I shouldn't feel this way"? That voice is the problem, not the feeling itself. When you judge your emotions, you intensify the pain and keep yourself stuck. Learn how to stop the cycle and actually help yourself feel better.
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Person in winter jacket and knit hat gazing at icy glacier, symbolizing contemplation and emotional acceptance
The SoapBox Podcast with Victoria
People leave themselves out of their own decisions. Self-compassion creates room for real choice, especially for those in military and service communities.
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Retro-style microphone on golden background for The SoapBox podcast featuring Victoria Duarte discussing self-compassion
What Self-Love Actually Looks Like When You’re Still Learning It
Self-love rarely begins with feeling confident. It begins when you stop treating yourself like a problem and start meeting yourself with patience. Here are three simple, grounded practices to help you build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
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A cracked blue heart resting on a textured surface with warm golden light shining through the fractures, symbolizing vulnerability, repair, and emotional growth.
When You Feel Invisible: Self-Compassion Through Words and Touch
Ever feel invisible? When that voice inside repeats, "I don't matter," self-compassion offers a powerful alternative. Discover practical techniques using gentle self-talk and soothing touch to validate yourself, even when feeling unheard by others.
Description of image: A pink heart-shaped stone stands upright among smooth, rounded pebbles on a beach. The heart is balanced against the backdrop of a calm turquoise ocean and clear blue sky, symbolizing self-compassion and love amidst the ordinary elements of life. The soft pastel colors create a serene, peaceful atmosphere
Self-Compassion: Somatic Coach Virginia Beach
Discover simple yet powerful practices that combine gentle touch, mindful breathing, and loving-kindness phrases. These practices offer a way to connect with your body and cultivate self-compassion at your own pace.
The Weight of Self-Judgment
As a mindfulness coach, I notice how easily we fall into patterns of being incredibly hard on ourselves. That voice of self-criticism can be relentless, pulling us deeper into doubt and judgment. Through my work with clients, I've seen how empathy breaks this cycle - not just empathy for others, but the kind we need to give ourselves.