Building Resilience

What if the quickest way to calm your nervous system didn’t involve meditation, mindset work, or even deep breathing, but just a pen and a few minutes?In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah Davidson shares three simple, science-backed tools to help you gently regulate your nervous system, using creative expression, not perfection. These practices don’t require artistic skill or profound insights. Just a willingness to explore, express, and create a sense of safety in your body.You’ll learn how doodling, gentle journaling prompts, and repetitive shapes can act as regulation anchors helping you shift out of survival mode and into a state of calm, clarity, and connection.Whether you’re overwhelmed, shut down, overstimulated, or just looking for a way to reconnect with yourself this episode will give you three powerful ways to feel a little more regulated in under 10 minutes.✨ Want to go deeper? These are the exact kinds of practices we use weekly inside the Nervous System Journaling Club, a creative, supportive space to build safety and resilience from the inside out.We’ll explore:Visual expression helps externalise internal states.Simple journaling prompts can shift your state.Repetitive patterns (like loops or spirals) create predictability.Containment matters more than perfection.Co-regulation can happen with the page.Every time you meet your system with curiosity, you build resilience.📝 Get My Resilience JournalA guided journal for emotional well-being and nervous system care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Journal...📌 Amazon CA: Buy Here:https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-...🎓 Join the Nervous System Journaling ClubDoodle, journal, and heal in community:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-...Let’s Stay Connected:Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoachingSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletterEnjoyed the episode?Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps more people discover these tools for healing and resilience.

Do you ever feel like you're doing all the inner work, journaling, processing, consuming wisdom, but still not feeling purposeful or alive?In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, we explore a powerful reframe: healing alone isn’t the goal. Living is. Using the metaphors of weeding vs planting and consuming vs creating, we’ll unpack how real purpose isn’t something you chase, it’s something you experience, through small acts of creation and participation.We’ll talk about why so many people get stuck in chronic weeding mode, what happens when we only consume but never create, and how even the tiniest moments of planting can signal safety to your nervous system.This episode is your reminder that healing doesn’t have to be a full-time job, and that joy, meaning, and purpose come from doing, not just fixing. Timestamps 00:00 – That “What’s the point of all this?” feeling 01:00 – Purpose as pressure: why it dysregulates the nervous system 02:15 – The weeding vs planting metaphor 04:55 – Healing = weeding, but what about planting? 06:20 – How your nervous system interprets creation as safety 07:00 – Consuming vs creating: input ≠ output 08:10 – You don’t regulate from what you know, you regulate from what you do 09:10 – Chronic weeding and chronic consuming = dysregulation 10:00 – Regulation through participation, not perfection 10:40 – Let purpose reveal itself through small acts 11:20 – Journaling prompts and where to start📝 Get My Resilience JournalA guided journal for emotional well-being and nervous system care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Journal...📌 Amazon CA: Buy Here:https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-...🎓 Join the Nervous System Journaling ClubDoodle, journal, and heal in community:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-...Let’s Stay Connected:Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoachingSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletterEnjoyed the episode?Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps more people discover these tools for healing and resilience.

What if the most resilient people aren’t the ones who bounce back quickly—but those who allow themselves to break, feel, grieve, and still move forward?In this heartfelt episode, we explore tragic optimism—a powerful reframe introduced by Viktor Frankl—and how it allows us to hold both pain and hope without bypassing either. You’ll learn how real resilience comes not from fixing or rushing, but from the ability to live with the full truth of what is and keep going anyway.We’ll explore:• Why “bouncing back” is a cultural myth• What tragic optimism really means (and what it’s not)• The nervous system’s role in resilience and meaning-making• The 3 Ps of pessimism—and how to unlearn them• Practical tools to regulate your body, reframe your thoughts, and hold space for grief and growth at onceThis is your invitation to stop striving to return to “how things used to be”—and instead, build capacity to bounce forward with wisdom, gentleness, and courage.Timestamps:00:00 – Resilient people aren’t the fastest to recover06:55 – When Breath Becomes Air & the phrase “devastatingly beautiful”10:14 – What tragic optimism really means (Viktor Frankl)13:05 – Why it’s not toxic positivity (Brad Stulberg’s take)15:15 – Introducing learned optimism (Martin Seligman)17:32 – The 3 Ps of pessimism and how to flip them20:18 – Why your nervous system must feel safe before optimism is possible23:12 – You can’t access nuance from a dysregulated state25:50 – The nervous system’s role in meaning-making28:36 – Post-traumatic growth: Making meaning, not finding it31:45 – What it means to hold both pain and hope33:58 – How to actually practice tragic optimism36:10 – Step 1: Reframe with “both/and” language37:15 – Step 2: Befriend your nervous system, not fight it38:48 – Step 3: Hold space for others with “Tell me more”40:10 – What resilience really looks like: bouncing forward41:50 – Why regulating isn’t about avoiding pain—it’s about holding it43:30 – Final thoughts: You can be devastatingly beautiful too📝 Get My Resilience JournalA guided journal for emotional well-being and nervous system care📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aXvnLQ5iNMBUxzQYYcrgjg.AteqhnbvcWMthzgND7lwUxHbtn59LfW9Y7jqFUK9X-M&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1751362532&sr=8-1&th=1📌 Amazon CA: Buy Here:https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F?th=1🎓 Join the Nervous System Journaling ClubDoodle, journal, and heal in community:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1Let’s Stay Connected:Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoachingSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletterEnjoyed the episode?Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps more people discover these tools for healing and resilience.

If you’ve been calling yourself lazy, unmotivated, or inconsistent, this episode is your wake-up call.What if the reason you’re stuck isn’t a mindset problem… but a nervous system one? In this deeply validating solo episode, Leah Davidson explores how procrastination, avoidance, and “invisible resistance” are often signs of a protective nervous system, not personal failure.From ghosting your own business to endlessly “preparing” but never acting, Leah shares powerful insights on how shame, fear, and dysregulation keep you small, and how to reclaim momentum safely, one small step at a time.Whether you’re an overwhelmed parent, frozen entrepreneur, or helper who can’t seem to help yourself—this episode will help you reframe your “stuckness” and offer a gentler, more effective path forward.⸻⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: When “cleaning the junk drawer” means something deeper02:00 – What’s really behind feeling stuck03:25 – Fear masked as logic: the subtle signs04:40 – Shame’s quiet whispers and protective disguise05:52 – The “roommate” analogy for your nervous system08:10 – The myth of perfection in healing work10:25 – Real-life examples: coach, parent, student, executive12:57 – Stuckness ≠ laziness: it’s protection13:45 – Step 1: Curiosity over criticism14:45 – Step 2: Get specific about the emotional fear16:09 – Step 3: Regulate before action17:10 – The Safety Sequence in practice17:58 – Step 4: Start with the smallest possible step19:00 – Step 5: Find your people, especially in messy moments20:00 – Is it resistance—or redirection?21:20 – Sustainable change happens at the speed of safety22:10 – Regulate. Act. Repeat.⸻🧠 Want More Support?📝 Get my Resilience Journal – A guided journal for nervous system care:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🎓 Join the Nervous System Journaling Clubhttps://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1📬 Weekly Newsletter + Free Workshops:https://www.leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletterhttps://www.leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/doodleworkshop📱 Follow me:Instagram & Facebook – @leahdavidsonlifecoaching⸻🗣️ Found this helpful? Like, comment, and subscribe to support more conversations on nervous system resilience and compassionate growth.#NervousSystemHealing #SurvivalMode #YouAreNotLazy #TraumaInformedGrowth #LeahDavidson #BuildingResiliencePodcast

What if being “messy” doesn’t mean you’re disorganized—and clutter isn’t the real issue?In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, I’m joined by organizing coach Tracy Hoth for a powerful reframe on what it really means to be organized. Spoiler: It’s not about color-coded bins or minimalist living. It’s about safety, clarity, and knowing where your stuff is—80% of the time.We talk about the nervous system side of clutter, why perfection is a trap, and how “messiness” might be a protective response rather than a personal flaw. You’ll walk away with mindset shifts, practical tips (hello, SPASM method!), and a whole new lens on what organized can actually feel like.If you’ve ever looked at your home, your business, or your life and thought, “I should have it more together by now”—this conversation is for you.⸻Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + Leah admits she might not be that organized02:34 – Meet Tracy: An organizing coach with a nervous system twist05:55 – Why “organized” doesn’t mean minimalist or picture-perfect09:18 – The 80% Rule: A realistic definition of being organized12:43 – Leah’s tiny Toronto home vs. American closets17:05 – You can be organized and have stuff21:17 – Nervous system links: Why some people need more things to feel safe24:30 – SPASM: The 5-step framework for organizing29:49 – The hardest part of getting organized (it’s not what you think)33:12 – The emotional side of purging (guilt, scarcity, memories)38:05 – How to set limits without feeling deprived41:50 – Why baskets and bins aren’t the answer44:37 – Benefits of organizing: Calm, clarity, confidence48:30 – Organizing as a nervous system regulation tool52:11 – What organization reveals about your identity56:05 – How to break projects into doable steps59:40 – Is your “mess” actually protecting you?01:02:55 – Where to start: Mindset before method01:05:23 – Final takeaways + how to work with Tracy⸻🧠 Want More Tools?📝 Get my Resilience Journal to support your nervous system:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🎓 Join the Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1📚 Explore Coaching, Courses, and Community:https://www.leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com📱 Follow me on Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoaching💌 Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: www.leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletter⸻🗣️ Enjoyed the episode?Like, comment, and share! It helps more people find healing through nervous system tools and resilience-building strategies.#Organization #NervousSystem #DeclutterYourMind #TraumaInformedLiving #EmotionalClutter #LeahDavidson #TracyHoth #BuildingResiliencePodcast

That voice in your head that says, "Who do you think you are?" The one that shows up right before you do something brave or bold? It’s not a flaw, it’s a signal , and the way you respond to it might be the difference between staying stuck or stepping forward.In Part 1, Leah Davidson explored where imposter syndrome comes from, how it shows up, and why it’s actually not the enemy. Now, in Part 2, she dives deeper into the how: what those imposter feelings are trying to tell you, how to regulate your nervous system in the moment, and strategies to help you take action even when self-doubt is present.This isn't about "fixing" imposter syndrome, but understanding its roots in your nervous system's protective responses. Leah guides you through practical, embodied strategies to transform the fear of being "found out" into a powerful catalyst for authentic self-expression and sustainable progress. Remember, confidence isn't a requirement to doing things; it's the result of doing them.In this episode, you'll learn:- Why imposter syndrome often signals you're heading in the right direction and doing something that matters to you.- How to reframe imposter feelings as "data, not drama" by getting curious instead of fighting or believing them completely.- Practical nervous system regulation techniques like the Safety Sequence, Box Breathing, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, and Progressive Muscle Relaxation to calm your body and allow clear thinking.- The crucial difference between eliminating imposter feelings and regulating your nervous system to act effectively while they are present.- How to build "general competence confidence" by taking small, consistent actions despite uncertainty, proving to yourself that you can handle challenging situations.The importance of community and seeking examples of others to counteract the isolation imposter syndrome thrives in.This episode is for anyone ready to move beyond just understanding imposter syndrome and actively build the nervous system resilience needed to thrive in their authentic power.—📝 Get my Resilience Journal to support your healing journey:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🎓 Nervous System Journaling Club:https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1—📌 Tags:#ImposterSyndrome #NervousSystemHealing#EmotionalRegulation #GrowthMindset#Resilience #TraumaRecovery#SelfBelonging #ConfidenceBuilding#LeahDavidson #BuildingResiliencePodcast#Neuroplasticity #Authenticity#HealingJourney #PersonalGrowth#SelfDoubt #TakeAction

Do you ever feel like any minute now, someone’s going to figure out you don’t actually belong, even though you do?In this episode, Leah reframes imposter syndrome not as a flaw to fix, but as a signal that you’re growing. Through neuroscience, personal reflection, and powerful analogies (yes, including “bicycle face”), she explores the real reason you feel like a fraud—and why it’s actually a good sign.You’ll learn:• Where imposter syndrome really comes from• What your nervous system is doing behind the scenes• Why new experiences trigger old survival responses• How neuroplasticity explains the discomfort of growth• The 5 types of imposter syndrome—and which ones resonate with youThis is part one of a two-part series that will help you stop spiraling and start honoring the discomfort of doing something meaningful.⸻⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – The fear of being “found out”01:04 – What we’re covering in part one02:05 – Where imposter syndrome originated03:18 – The “bicycle face” analogy (and what it means today)05:09 – What if imposter syndrome is a sign of growth?05:44 – Your nervous system’s job is survival, not success06:54 – Neuroplasticity: why growth feels awkward07:34 – Leah’s personal story: launching her Resilience journal09:02 – Your body reacts to newness like a threat10:08 – Your brain is scanning for patterns—and gets anxious without them11:44 – The 5 patterns of imposter syndrome (by Dr. Valerie Young)12:00 – #1: The Perfectionist13:11 – #2: The Expert14:08 – #3: The Natural Genius15:20 – #4: The Soloist16:24 – #5: The Superhero17:38 – These are survival strategies, not flaws18:22 – You might show different types in different areas of life18:33 – A final reframe: imposter syndrome as a growth signal18:42 – Preview of part two: regulating & taking action19:01 – Closing⸻🧠 Explore More Tools📝 Get my Resilience Journal to support your healing journey:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🧘‍♀️ Join the Nervous System Journaling Club→ https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1🎓 Learn more:→ The Advanced Nervous System Resilience Training: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aXvnLQ5iNMBUxzQYYcrgjg.Ygo_CcAbKDLG3ax4WgUAUannnVgrozTHO0DU3k-rSfw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1748849188&sr=8-1&th=1📬 Stay Connected💌 Newsletter: leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletter📱 Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoaching

Do you replay conversations in your head, second-guess your words, or feel a wave of shame from just one comment or look?You’re not too sensitive and you’re not alone. You’re simply human with a nervous system doing its job to protect you.In this episode, we unpack why you take things personally and what you can do to shift that response. This isn’t about “toughening up” or just thinking positive. It’s about understanding the neurobiology behind emotional reactions and learning how to regulate your state so you can respond with clarity, not collapse.🔍 What You’ll Learn:• How your nervous system interprets disapproval as a threat• Why “story follows state”—and how to shift both• The “slime” analogy for handling criticism• A powerful mindset tool called the “second score”• How to create emotional space between stimulus and response⸻🕰️ Timestamps:03:27 – Why thinking differently isn’t enough03:55 – Survival wiring and neuroception05:20 – Strategy #1: Critique behavior, not identity06:25 – Separate who you are from what you did06:56 – Strategy #2: Reframe criticism as feedback07:44 – The “Slime” analogy for handling feedback10:02 – Brené Brown’s arena metaphor: who deserves your energy?10:52 – Not all feedback deserves full volume11:16 – Strategy #3: Mind reading and nervous system state12:20 – Story follows state: Team Hyper, Hypo, and Resilient13:37 – The Safety Sequence: Regulate before you reframe14:27 – Strategy #4: Track and anticipate your personal triggers15:12 – Strategy #5: Validate your emotions first16:07 – Strategy #6: The Second Score – how you respond matters18:19 – Criticism as a growth opportunity18:40 – Final thoughts: It’s not a mindset flaw—it’s your nervous system⸻🧠 Explore More Tools📝 Get my Resilience Journal to support your healing journey:📌 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mental+health+Journal&hidden-keywords=B0DNRSLV9F&ref=nb_sb_noss_1📌 Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1🧘‍♀️ Join the Nervous System Journaling Club→ https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1🎓 Learn more:→ The Advanced Nervous System Resilience Training: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Journal-Anxiety-Management-Self-Care/dp/B0DNRSLV9F/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aXvnLQ5iNMBUxzQYYcrgjg.Ygo_CcAbKDLG3ax4WgUAUannnVgrozTHO0DU3k-rSfw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mental%2Bhealth%2BJournal&qid=1748849188&sr=8-1&th=1📬 Stay Connected💌 Newsletter: leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/newsletter📱 Instagram & Facebook: @leahdavidsonlifecoaching

You know that moment when someone says something small, but your reaction feels huge? Like, your heart’s racing, your mind is spiralling, and you’re suddenly questioning everything?Or maybe you lose it, and then after think "Oof, where did that come from?"(Or I've often seen others lose it and also wonder, "Oof, where did that come from!")One of my clients recently asked a question that I know so many of us have wrestled with:"If something triggers me today, how do I know if I'm just reacting from an old wound - or it something's actually not ok right now?"Yes. Yes. YES.That’s exactly what this week’s episode of the Building Resilience podcast is all about.We’re diving into:* Why your nervous system doesn’t do timelines* How “story follows state” (and what that really means)* 6 powerful tools to help you sort out what’s now and what’s then* And how to bring compassion no matter what you findNervous System Journaling Club: https://www.skool.com/nervous-system-journaling-club/about?ref=06e003b61b8148ebbafd3a067f3cc2e1#nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemreset