Episode 16 outlines all the many emotions we feel toward our elves, why we love them, and practical ways to make their existence easier on ourselves.

Yeah, I Went There

16. Elf on the Shelf | Two Moms Discuss

Podcast episode 14 in which I discuss my thoughts on self worth, dehumanizing , political debates, telling our stories, and seeing our purpose in the grand scheme of things.

15. I Actually Am a Special Snowflake

Today I want to outline what it actually means to be a Highly Sensitive Person. It's more than just a description- it's an entire subset of behaviors that classifies the innate sensitivity of 15-20% of humanity. And it matters that we understand it. Check out more from Dr. Elaine Aaron here: https://hsperson.com

14. What a Highly Sensitive Person ACTUALLY Looks Like

It matters that we're talking about the same thing when we talk about Binge Eating Disorder. Today I'm outlining what the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies it. Please don't self-diagnose alone. Pursue a professional who can help you make sure you're identifying your struggle accurately, and who can help you find the support you need to recover. The DSM IV and V outline Binge Eating Disorder as follows: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338301/table/introduction.t1/ 

13. What Binge Eating Disorder Actually Looks Like

PLEASE watch this podcast episode on YouTube. There are visuals, and you need to see them if you want this to make sense! Your perspective matters. Your story matters. I hope you're able to find a way to tell it. National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline When You Can't Afford Mental Health Treatment: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-your-adult-child-breaks-your-heart/201707/when-you-cant-afford-mental-health-treatment Mental health services: How to get treatment if you can't afford it: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/mental-health-services-how-get-treatment-if-you-can-t-ncna875176

12. Perspective & Why I Hope You'll Find a Way To Tell Your Story

The episode where I recall forgetting an important day, and how I worked through the mistake.

11. Forgetting Pearl Harbor | Self Talk, Shame & Self-Grace

Did you know I went to three separate doctors over the course of 6+ years asking if I had Binge Eating Disorder? And did you know not one of them thought I did? They said I likely had body dysphoria and I should look into that instead. If I had Binge Eating Disorder, I would have looked different. We all make snap judgements, and most of the time they're innocuous- harmless. But when we're wrong, they cause massive damage and it's time we started looking closer. 

10. Do I Look Sick To You? | The True Cost of Making Snap Judgements Based on Appearances

Today I talk about our body's need for rest when we're sick, and how some sickness lasts longer, but equally requires rest to get over.

09: I Was Sick and Alone | Personal Boundaries, Emotional Health & Binge Eating Disorder

I was joined on the podcast today by my Corey Baker, an author, speaker and health coach. He shared how his thoughts have changed on mental illness and addiction over his life, and it was extremely enlightening. Listen for more!

08: When You Can't "Just Stop" an Addiction | Mental Illness and Choice with Corey Baker

I have felt an extreme amount of shame over my struggle to connect with people, but more recently I've come to terms with it and I am in now in the process of healing and coping in my day to day life. Subscribe to my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/carrieljp Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/carrieljp

07: I Have Crippling Social Anxiety

I sat down multiple times last week to film the story of my faith crisis, but I just couldn't and this is why. Also, I'm writing a book.

06: My Faith Crisis, a Book Announcement & Why You Should Just Let People Tell Their Stories

I believe sharing my stories of pain and shame are as imperative to my survival as the air I breathe. I am not afraid to talk about the ugly stuff, the broken stuff, the controversial stuff, and the stuff that has rocked my dearly-held and often outdated systems of belief. I'm not afraid of the pain, because it's in the sharing and the wrestling and the discussing that I've found my inner strength. And I want you to have that too. . I am not the hero in my story, I'm just one player. When I share my stories of pain, there will almost always be another person on the other side. But there are no villains in my story either, just other players, players who also have stories of pain and shame. I believe that we have become so ashamed of and uncomfortable with the pain inside ourselves, that is has festered and become so rotten the only natural conclusion we've come to is to dehumanize anyone who disagrees with us. Contrary to what our president wants us to believe, most of us aren't bad to our core. We're in pain, and we're not talking about it in a way where we can all sit at the table, validated in who we are and the stories we carry. But it doesn't have to be that way. . I've been making YouTube videos since January of 2014 documenting my journey through recovery from an eating disorder and mental illness, practicing minimalism to simplify my home and life, budgeting, parenting, homemaking, carpentry and furniture making, interior design and entrepreneurship. I've documented the things that have made me feel good- the things I've tried that I naturally wanted to try again. I've also documented the things I thought I was supposed to do, and convinced myself I wanted to do, but couldn't keep up in the long run. It's been a long, inconsistent journey full of both pain and shame and joy and healing. But, it's led me to where I am today, which is stronger, healthier and happier than I ever knew possible. . And I want you to have that too. . I have never done affiliates or sponsorships; I am basically an anti influencer. I don't want to sell you anything. I want you to grow as a person and to be happier and more fulfilled in who you are and in what you already have. I'm giving all this away for free so that you will trust what I'm saying without the influence of financial gain. For that reason, will you please consider subscribing, and sharing my content on your social media platforms? I want to keep creating, but I cannot do it without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. . You are a good person, and you are worth loving. Don't you ever forget it.

05: I Drank To Numb my Pain, and Now I Can't Tell My Story

This is the audio from a YouTube video I made in 2014 about how to create a productive schedule while also caring for yourself. I just happened to revisit it recently and it was surprisingly helpful. Hear what I think about it now, and why I think 25-year-old Carrie got it all so right. . Watch the video I referenced on youtube (but I'm warning you, it hurts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM3MivWUdtY . I believe sharing my stories of pain and shame are as imperative to my survival as the air I breathe. I am not afraid to talk about the ugly stuff, the broken stuff, the controversial stuff, and the stuff that has rocked my dearly-held and often outdated systems of belief. I'm not afraid of the pain, because it's in the sharing and the wrestling and the discussing that I've found my inner strength. And I want you to have that too. . I am not the hero in my story, I'm just one player. When I share my stories of pain, there will almost always be another person on the other side. But there are no villains in my story either, just other players, players who also have stories of pain and shame. I believe that we have become so ashamed of and uncomfortable with the pain inside ourselves, that is has festered and become so rotten the only natural conclusion we've come to is to dehumanize anyone who disagrees with us. Contrary to what our president wants us to believe, most of us aren't bad to our core. We're in pain, and we're not talking about it in a way where we can all sit at the table, validated in who we are and the stories we carry. But it doesn't have to be that way. . I've been making YouTube videos since January of 2014 documenting my journey through recovery from an eating disorder and mental illness, practicing minimalism to simplify my home and life, budgeting, parenting, homemaking, carpentry and furniture making, interior design and entrepreneurship. I've documented the things that have made me feel good- the things I've tried that I naturally wanted to try again. I've also documented the things I thought I was supposed to do, and convinced myself I wanted to do, but couldn't keep up in the long run. It's been a long, inconsistent journey full of both pain and shame and joy and healing. But, it's led me to where I am today, which is stronger, healthier and happier than I ever knew possible. . And I want you to have that too. . That's my goal. Enjoy. . I have never done affiliates or sponsorships; I am basically an anti influencer. I don't want to sell you anything. I want you to grow as a person and to be happier and more fulfilled in who you are and in what you already have. I'm giving all this away for free so that you will trust what I'm saying without the influence of financial gain. For that reason, will you please consider subscribing, and sharing my content on your social media platforms? I want to keep creating, but I cannot do it without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. . You are a good person, and you are worth loving. Don't you ever forget it.

04: How To Create The Perfect Schedule

I outline all the things I tried to overcome my Binge Eating Disorder. I tell you what worked, what didn't, how I've changed and what I do now. I haven't had the feelings of a compulsion to binge in nearly four years, since I started doing the last item on this list. Listen for more. . Watch this episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/vyznqkO3bX4 . I believe sharing my stories of pain and shame are as imperative to my survival as the air I breathe. I am not afraid to talk about the ugly stuff, the broken stuff, the controversial stuff, and the stuff that has rocked my dearly-held and often outdated systems of belief. I'm not afraid of the pain, because it's in the sharing and the wrestling and the discussing that I've found my inner strength. And I want you to have that too. . I am not the hero in my story, I'm just one player. When I share my stories of pain, there will almost always be another person on the other side. But there are no villains in my story either, just other players, players who also have stories of pain and shame. I believe that we have become so ashamed of and uncomfortable with the pain inside ourselves, that is has festered and become so rotten the only natural conclusion we've come to is to dehumanize anyone who disagrees with us. Contrary to what our president wants us to believe, most of us aren't bad to our core. We're in pain, and we're not talking about it in a way where we can all sit at the table, validated in who we are and the stories we carry. But it doesn't have to be that way. . I've been making YouTube videos since January of 2014 documenting my journey through recovery from an eating disorder and mental illness, practicing minimalism to simplify my home and life, budgeting, parenting, homemaking, carpentry and furniture making, interior design and entrepreneurship. I've documented the things that have made me feel good- the things I've tried that I naturally wanted to try again. I've also documented the things I thought I was supposed to do, and convinced myself I wanted to do, but couldn't keep up in the long run. It's been a long, inconsistent journey full of both pain and shame and joy and healing. But, it's led me to where I am today, which is stronger, healthier and happier than I ever knew possible. . And I want you to have that too. . That's my goal. Enjoy. . I have never done affiliates or sponsorships; I am basically an anti influencer. I don't want to sell you anything. I want you to grow as a person and to be happier and more fulfilled in who you are and in what you already have. I'm giving all this away for free so that you will trust what I'm saying without the influence of financial gain. For that reason, will you please consider subscribing, and sharing my content on your social media platforms? I want to keep creating, but I cannot do it without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. . You are a good person, and you are worth loving. Don't you ever forget it.

03: My Deepest Shame & How I Recovered From Binge Eating Disorder

Self care is about survival, but it's being leveraged online and in social media ads to make you mindlessly consume instead. Listen for more. . I believe sharing my stories of pain and shame are as imperative to my survival as the air I breathe. I am not afraid to talk about the ugly stuff, the broken stuff, the controversial stuff, and the stuff that has rocked my dearly-held and often outdated systems of belief. I'm not afraid of the pain, because it's in the sharing and the wrestling and the discussing that I've found my inner strength. And I want you to have that too. . I am not the hero in my story, I'm just one player. When I share my stories of pain, there will almost always be another person on the other side. But there are no villains in my story either, just other players, players who also have stories of pain and shame. I believe that we have become so ashamed of and uncomfortable with the pain inside ourselves, that is has festered and become so rotten the only natural conclusion we've come to is to dehumanize anyone who disagrees with us. Contrary to what our president wants us to believe, most of us aren't bad to our core. We're in pain, and we're not talking about it in a way where we can all sit at the table, validated in who we are and the stories we carry. But it doesn't have to be that way. . I've been making YouTube videos since January of 2014 documenting my journey through recovery from an eating disorder and mental illness, practicing minimalism to simplify my home and life, budgeting, parenting, homemaking, carpentry and furniture making, interior design and entrepreneurship. I've documented the things that have made me feel good- the things I've tried that I naturally wanted to try again. I've also documented the things I thought I was supposed to do, and convinced myself I wanted to do, but couldn't keep up in the long run. It's been a long, inconsistent journey full of both pain and shame and joy and healing. But, it's led me to where I am today, which is stronger, healthier and happier than I ever knew possible. . And I want you to have that too. . That's my goal. Enjoy. . I have never done affiliates or sponsorships; I am basically an anti influencer. I don't want to sell you anything. I want you to grow as a person and to be happier and more fulfilled in who you are and in what you already have. I'm giving all this away for free so that you will trust what I'm saying without the influence of financial gain. For that reason, will you please consider subscribing, and sharing my content on your social media platforms? I want to keep creating, but I cannot do it without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. . You are a good person, and you are worth loving. Don't you ever forget it.

02: Self Care for Mental Health | Surviving Depression, Anxiety & Binge Eating Disorder

Inner Strength doesn't come from eliminating your weaknesses. It's comes from owning them.