If you’re tired of setting goals that disappear by February, this episode is for you. On the Nearly Normal Podcast, we talk about how to set realistic expectations, replace unhealthy habits, and build sustainable routines that support your mental health — not sabotage it.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why most New Year’s resolutions fail (and what works instead)
• How to build habits that support mental and emotional wellness
• Letting go of all-or-nothing thinking
• Creating goals aligned with your values and lifestyle

This episode is a supportive starting point for anyone looking to improve their mental health, develop healthier routines, and approach self-improvement with compassion and clarity.

Progress over perfection. Always.

The holidays are over—and so is our patience. In this witty and refreshingly honest episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we unpack the post-holiday burnout, emotional exhaustion, and unrealistic expectations that leave so many of us drained and frustrated. From forced cheer and family tension to overspending and social overload, we break down what we’re officially done tolerating after the holidays. Blending humor with real therapeutic insight, this episode offers practical mental health tools, boundary-setting strategies, and mindset shifts to help you reset, recover, and protect your peace.

Family dynamics shape us long before we realize it. In this episode of the Nearly Normal Podcast, we break down dysfunctional family systems and the common family roles many of us grow up playing—such as the caretaker, the peacemaker, the rebel, or the “responsible one.”

Using a mental health and wellness lens, we explore how these roles develop, why they persist into adulthood, and how they impact relationships, boundaries, self-esteem, anxiety, and emotional health. You’ll learn how to recognize your role within your family system, understand its purpose, and decide whether it still serves you today.

Whether you’re navigating toxic family relationships, working on personal growth, or simply trying to understand why family gatherings feel so exhausting, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical tools for change.

Perfect for anyone interested in:

• Mental health & emotional wellness
• Self-improvement and personal growth
• Family systems therapy concepts
• Healing from dysfunctional family dynamics
• Setting healthy boundaries