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Listen "Episode 143: The Soft Work of Healing – Why Feeling Good Is Part of the Process"
Episode Synopsis
This episode is your permission slip to stop grinding and start healing—gently.
In this heartfelt episode of Medium Lady Talks, Erin shares a deeply personal talk on reclaiming “soft work” as a vital part of healing. Inspired by a moment with her therapist and delivered originally at the Say It Like You Claimed It event with Jam Gamble, this message is a reminder that you can’t recover from burnout by doing more hard work.
Instead, you need softness.
🪷 Erin breaks down:
What “soft work” is and why it matters (think: joy, rest, nature, play)
Why soft work activates the vagus nerve and heals the nervous system
The limiting beliefs that make rest feel unearned or frivolous
The science behind why kindness and pleasure help you recover
How to reprogram your brain to notice joy again
Whether you’re exhausted from doing everything “right” or just need a moment to feel seen, this episode will help you soften into the truth: you are not broken. You’re just overdue for joy.
📚 Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Women Who Work Too Much by Tamu Thomas
Reclaim Yourself by Dr. Thema Bryant
What It Takes to Heal by Prentis Hemphill
Fiction from Kennedy Ryan, Tia Williams, Kiley Reid, and Toni Morrison
💬 Ask yourself: What kind of soft work have I been craving?
💬 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!
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: [email protected]
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
Key Words: #softwork #burnoutrecovery #restasresistance #nervoussystemhealing #mediumladytalks #mentalhealthawareness #joyishealing #radicalrest
In this heartfelt episode of Medium Lady Talks, Erin shares a deeply personal talk on reclaiming “soft work” as a vital part of healing. Inspired by a moment with her therapist and delivered originally at the Say It Like You Claimed It event with Jam Gamble, this message is a reminder that you can’t recover from burnout by doing more hard work.
Instead, you need softness.
🪷 Erin breaks down:
What “soft work” is and why it matters (think: joy, rest, nature, play)
Why soft work activates the vagus nerve and heals the nervous system
The limiting beliefs that make rest feel unearned or frivolous
The science behind why kindness and pleasure help you recover
How to reprogram your brain to notice joy again
Whether you’re exhausted from doing everything “right” or just need a moment to feel seen, this episode will help you soften into the truth: you are not broken. You’re just overdue for joy.
📚 Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Women Who Work Too Much by Tamu Thomas
Reclaim Yourself by Dr. Thema Bryant
What It Takes to Heal by Prentis Hemphill
Fiction from Kennedy Ryan, Tia Williams, Kiley Reid, and Toni Morrison
💬 Ask yourself: What kind of soft work have I been craving?
💬 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!
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: [email protected]
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
Key Words: #softwork #burnoutrecovery #restasresistance #nervoussystemhealing #mediumladytalks #mentalhealthawareness #joyishealing #radicalrest
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