{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a17787e83dd9b6e113b98c8/6ace93cb9fea6e0a64e59fbd?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Ep 16: Mindful Self-Compassion When You're Navigating Grief and Body Betrayal","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6a17787e83dd9b6e113b98c8/1791923125502-eac401d7-0b9c-4395-b32d-c6255c03126d.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>How do you show yourself compassion when you&#39;re grieving, struggling with infertility, or feeling betrayed by your own body?</p><p>In this solo episode of <em>The Red Thread</em>, Shreyasi explores the emotional weight of IVF and IUI, the many layers of grief that can accompany fertility treatment, and why self-compassion can feel impossible when you&#39;re experiencing disappointment, anger, or frustration with your body.</p><p>From grieving the life you imagined to navigating unsuccessful treatment cycles, fertility challenges can change how you see yourself and your relationship with your body.</p><p>Shreyasi shares a gentle, practical approach to mindful self-compassion that begins not with forcing positivity, but with acknowledging your feelings, recognizing your struggles, and finding small ways to care for yourself.</p><p>This episode is a reminder that you don&#39;t have to love how you feel to treat yourself with kindness.</p><h2><strong>In This Episode We Explore</strong></h2><ul><li>The different layers of grief experienced during IVF and IUI</li><li>Grieving lost expectations, timelines, and imagined futures</li><li>How fertility treatment can change your identity and relationship with your body</li><li>Feelings of body betrayal, frustration, and self-blame</li><li>Why mindful self-compassion can feel difficult during infertility</li><li>Learning to identify and acknowledge your emotions without judgment</li><li>Using a Feelings Wheel to better understand what you&#39;re experiencing</li><li>Creating small moments of self-care on emotionally difficult days</li><li>Building a simple, sustainable mindful self-compassion practice</li></ul><h2><strong>Resources Mentioned</strong></h2><p><strong>The Feelings Wheel</strong></p><p>Sometimes the hardest part of processing emotions is finding the words to describe what you&#39;re feeling.</p><p>In this episode, Shreyasi introduces the Feelings Wheel, a visual tool that can help you identify and name your emotions, particularly when you&#39;re experiencing grief, frustration, or uncertainty.</p><p>Use the wheel during a quiet moment to check in with yourself and explore what&#39;s coming up emotionally.</p><p>Click to view: <u><a href=\"https://www.feelingswheel.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Feelings Wheel — a free tool to help you name what you&#39;re feeling</a></u></p><p><strong>The Red Thread Mindful Self-Compassion Journal</strong></p><p><strong>Coming November 1, 2026!</strong></p><p>Shreyasi&#39;s Mindful Self-Compassion Journal is designed to help women navigating IVF and IUI develop gentle, intentional practices of emotional awareness and self-care.</p><p>The journal offers a way to bring more structure, kindness, and compassion into everyday life during a challenging fertility journey.</p><p>Visit<a href=\"https://shreyasibrodhecker.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> </a><u><a href=\"https://shreyasibrodhecker.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://shreyasibrodhecker.com</a></u> for updates and availability.</p><h2><strong>A Simple Self-Compassion Practice</strong></h2><p>Shreyasi invites you to begin with three gentle steps:</p><ol><li><strong>Pause and notice.</strong> Take five or ten minutes to check in with how you&#39;re feeling. Use the Feelings Wheel if you need help identifying your emotions.</li><li><strong>Acknowledge your experience.</strong> Recognize that what you&#39;re going through is difficult. Allow your feelings to exist without needing to change or dismiss them.</li><li><strong>Offer yourself care.</strong> Ask yourself how you would comfort a close friend in the same situation. Choose one small act of kindness, whether that&#39;s taking a walk, enjoying a warm bath, making a cup of tea, or simply giving yourself permission to rest.</li></ol><p>Self-compassion doesn&#39;t mean your difficult feelings will disappear. It means learning to care for yourself while they&#39;re present.</p><h2><strong>How to Work With Shreyasi</strong></h2><p>Navigating infertility, IVF, IUI, pregnancy loss, or the emotional challenges of trying to conceive?</p>","author_name":"Shreyasi Brodhecker"}