Here's The Thing: A Beginner's Guide to Adulting

This week, we’re continuing our February theme of relationships, and I’m diving into a skill that I promise will serve you for the rest of your life: boundaries.I know—sometimes that word feels heavy. It can sound like conflict, ultimatums, or pushing people away. But in this episode, I’m breaking it down in a way that feels clear, calm, and actually empowering. Using one of my favorite metaphors—building houses—I’ll show you how boundaries aren’t walls meant to shut people out… they’re more like fences that define and support the space you’re creating in your life.We’ll talk about:Why most relationships don’t actually need boundariesHow people-pleasing creates problems that honesty could have preventedThe difference between controlling others and committing to yourselfWhat a healthy boundary really sounds like (hint: it’s calm, not dramatic)How to handle tough dynamics with friends or parents in a grounded, adult wayIf you’ve ever said “yes” when you meant “no,” stayed quiet to keep the peace, or felt resentment building because you weren’t honest about what you wanted—this episode is for you.Boundaries aren’t about changing other people. They’re about deciding how you show up. They’re about clarity, self-respect, and staying in relationship without abandoning yourself.And next week, we’re going even deeper into people-pleasing and why it makes boundaries feel so hard in the first place.Connect with me! Make sure to go follow me on Instagram @wendykimbercoaching and click the link in my bio to schedule an appointment with me, grab my free weekly email, or watch my videos on YouTube, and more!🎧 If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who’s navigating adulting right alongside you.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, I want to talk about a different kind of love—the kind that exists in families.Family relationships can be complicated. We don’t get to choose our teammates, and many of us grew up on very different “teams” with different coaching styles, roles, and expectations. As adults, though, those relationships don’t have to stay the same.In this episode, I use a simple sports-team analogy to help you think differently about your family dynamics. We’ll talk about how family roles change in adulthood, how to focus on what you can control, and how to show up with more clarity, calm, and intention in relationships with parents and siblings.You’ll learn how to:Redefine your role in your family without waiting for anyone else to changeImprove communication with parents and siblings as a young adultBuild healthier family relationships by changing your thoughts, not just your reactionsPractice a more grounded, emotionally mature kind of loveFamily love isn’t always chocolates and flowers. Sometimes it looks like boundaries, consistency, and choosing how you show up—even when the dynamic isn’t perfect.Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoy the episode. 💛Connect with me! Make sure to go follow me on Instagram @wendykimbercoaching and click the link in my bio to schedule an appointment with me, grab my free weekly email, or watch my videos on YouTube, and more!🎧 If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who’s navigating adulting right alongside you.

February is the month of love, so before we talk about dating, friendships, or family, I want to start with the relationship that impacts all of them—the relationship you have with yourself.In this episode, I’m talking about self-acceptance in a real, grounded way. Not the “just think positive” version, but the relationship that happens in your head every single day: how you talk to yourself, how you judge yourself, and how you show up for yourself when life feels messy or uncomfortable.We’ll explore why you don’t need to fix or reinvent yourself to grow, how your thoughts shape your experience of who you are, and why understanding yourself with curiosity creates lasting change. I’ll share practical ways to build trust with yourself, soften your inner dialogue, and grow without shame.If you’ve ever felt behind, stuck, or frustrated with yourself—or if your inner voice sounds more like a critic than a friend—this episode is for you.You are the one person you’ll wake up with every day of your life. Learning how to be on your own side changes everything.As always, remember: you’re doing better than you think you are.Connect with me! Make sure to go follow me on Instagram @wendykimbercoaching and click the link in my bio to schedule an appointment with me, grab my free weekly email, or watch my videos on YouTube, and more!🎧 If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who’s navigating adulting right alongside you.

If you’re heading into 2026 feeling excited, overwhelmed, motivated, exhausted—or honestly, all of the above—this episode is for you. 💛 In this powerful pep talk, I’m wrapping up our January goal-setting series by reminding you that you are already doing what life coaches call massive action, even if it doesn’t feel glamorous right now.We’ve spent this month talking about goals, self-sabotage, time management, and mindset, and today I want to send you into the rest of the year confident, encouraged, and ready to take bold steps forward. I talk about why massive action is the stage of life many young adults are in right now, why “I’ve never done this before” is a sneaky thought that holds us back, and how your ability to adapt—especially in a fast-changing, tech-driven world—proves that you already know how to figure things out.You’ll hear inspiring stories, including lessons from Olympic legend Wilma Rudolph and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, plus relatable examples that show why progress doesn’t require perfection—just willingness. This is the episode to come back to when the semester feels heavy, the goal feels too big, or you’re wondering what you signed up for.Save this one. Re-listen when you need it. And remember: you are capable, resilient, and more prepared than you think. You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. 🎧✨Connect with me! Make sure to go follow me on Instagram @wendykimbercoaching and click the link in my bio to schedule an appointment with me, grab my free weekly email, or watch my videos on YouTube, and more!🎧 If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who’s navigating adulting right alongside you.

Are you constantly asking, “How long will this take?” and still feeling behind? In this episode, I break down one of the biggest mindset traps holding people back from their goals: giving time all the power. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by busy schedules, new routines, or competing priorities—especially at the start of a new year—this conversation is for you.This episode explores why time itself isn’t the problem and how shifting one simple question can change your productivity, focus, and follow-through. I share relatable stories, practical examples, and a powerful reframe that helps you stop treating time like the boss and start using it as a tool.You’ll learn:Why the question “How long will it take?” quietly steals your momentumHow to reclaim control of your schedule without hustling or burnoutA simple mindset shift that supports better time management and decision-makingThe Pick–Block–Begin method for taking action on what matters mostHow to build trust with yourself through intentional use of your timeThis episode is perfect for students, young adults, and goal-setters who want better time management, more follow-through, and a healthier relationship with productivity—without rigid schedules or pressure.🎧 Listen in to learn how to own your time, set priorities that actually stick, and move forward on purpose.👉 Want weekly reminders and tools to help you stay on track? Sign up for The Coach’s Corner newsletter (linked on my Instagram page) or connect with me on YouTube and Instagram @wendykimbercoaching.Use your time intentionally—and start today.Keywordshow to stop feeling overwhelmed by timewhy I never have enough timetime management for studentshow to manage time with goalsproductivity tips that actually workmindset shifts for productivityhow to prioritize what mattersbuilding better time habits

Do you ever get this close to doing something good for yourself—then suddenly talk yourself out of it?In this episode, we’re diving into why we self-sabotage, why your brain resists change even when you want to grow, and how to stop breaking promises to yourself. If you’ve ever struggled with motivation, discipline, or follow-through, this conversation is for you.You’ll learn:Why your brain is wired to seek comfort, avoid discomfort, and conserve energyHow negative self-talk quietly talks you out of successWhy motivation doesn’t come first—action doesHow keeping small promises builds real confidence and self-trustSimple tools to interrupt overthinking and self-doubtWhy your identity plays a huge role in habits, goals, and follow-throughWe’ll also touch on practical mindset tools like the 5 Second Rule taught by Mel Robbins and how changing your physical and mental state—an idea often taught by Tony Robbins—can help you shift out of self-sabotage in real time.If you’re a young adult navigating goals, routines, school, work, or big life transitions—and you’re tired of talking yourself out of becoming who you want to be—this episode will help you start showing up differently.Because success isn’t about being perfect or fearless.It’s about keeping the promises that matter most—even when it’s hard, even when no one’s watching.💬 Let’s Connect!📸 Follow me on Instagram: @wendykimbercoaching📩 Sign up for my free newsletter The Coach’s Corner for weekly mindset tools and coaching tips: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/180070...🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on my YouTube channel @WendyKimberCoaching.🎧 Perfect for listeners interested in: personal growth, mindset coaching, motivation, self-discipline, confidence building, breaking bad habits, goal setting, and self-trust.If this episode resonates, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs this reminder today.

As we head into a new year, life doesn’t slow down—and neither does time. In this New Year’s episode, we’re talking about how to stop drifting and start navigating your life with intention using goals that actually work.If you’re between 18 and 28 and feeling the weight of big decisions—career, relationships, health, faith, finances—this episode is for you. I walk you through why this season of life matters so much, why goals aren’t just checklists, and how to think forward instead of letting your past define your future.Using a simple (and memorable) river analogy, we break down the SMART goal system in a way that feels practical, encouraging, and realistic—especially if you’ve ever struggled to stick with goals or felt discouraged when results didn’t show up right away.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why life keeps moving whether you set goals or notHow goals give direction in your “Decade of Decision”What SMART goals really mean (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound)Why your brain resists change—and how to work with it instead of against itHow to stay motivated when progress feels slowHow to choose goals that align with your values and season of lifeThis conversation will help you stop floating through another year and start steering toward the future you actually want—without burnout, perfectionism, or pressure.🎯 Your challenge: Choose one area of your life, set one small SMART goal, write it down, and keep rowing—even when results aren’t immediate.Happy New Year, friend. Here’s to a year full of intention, growth, and meaningful progress.💬 Let’s Connect!Comment below: What thought did you catch today, and what did you shift it to?✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if this episode helped you reframe your day!📩 Sign up for my free newsletter The Coach’s Corner for weekly mindset tools and coaching tips: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/180070...📸 Follow me on Instagram: @wendykimbercoaching🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on my YouTube channel @WendyKimberCoaching.#PodcastForYoungAdults #PersonalGrowthPodcast #MindsetPodcast #LifeAdvicePodcast #SelfDevelopment #LifeCoachingPodcast #GoalSettingPodcast #GrowthMindset

As the year comes to a close, many of us feel the pressure to change—set goals, improve habits, and become “better” versions of ourselves. But what if the way we’ve been trying to grow is actually holding us back?In this episode, we’re talking about why you can’t hate yourself better—and why punishment, shame, and harsh self-talk don’t create lasting change. Through a deeply personal story from my family’s health journey after cancer, along with honest reflections on weight, habits, and self-criticism, we unpack why so many of us believe being hard on ourselves is the key to progress.You’ll learn why punishment may stop behavior short-term but never leads to real growth—and what actually does. We’ll explore the power of positive reinforcement, self-love, gratitude, and compassion, and how shifting your inner dialogue can help you build healthier habits without fear or shame.If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of guilt, self-loathing, or “starting over,” this episode is your reminder: lasting transformation starts with kindness. You don’t need to be harder on yourself—you need a better foundation.✨ You can’t hate yourself better. ✨ But you can love yourself into growth.Connect with meMake sure to go follow me on Instagram @wendykimbercoaching and click the link in my bio to grab my free weekly email, The Coach’s Corner. It’s your weekly dose of mindset magic—delivered straight to your inbox!🎧 If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who’s navigating adulting right alongside you.#selfgrowth #selflove #mindsetshift #personaldevelopment #healingjourney #mentalhealthpodcast #positivehabits #goalsetting #gratitudepractice #innervoice #growthmindset #youngadultpodcast