Victoria and I are delighted to share Episode 2 of the Gathering Gold podcast – and, yes, we changed the name! Here’s the description:
In Episode 2, we’ve got news: we changed the podcast name! In the spirit of this shift, we’re talking about course-correcting, finding opportunity within challenge, and the Jungian approach of turning lead into gold. We talk about uncovering buried treasure in our gardens–learning to see our own inherent gifts and goodness rather than projecting it externally. And, we discuss gathering gold from all seasons of life, finding compassion in our struggles, and bringing that compassion to others.
We look forward to reading your comments and, if you feel inspired, please rate/review/share on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Dear Sheryl (and everyone),
My comment will be not exactly on the subject, but I’m desperate to see any insight on my latest anxiety. And I’m scared that it will be lost among other comments under older posts. My problem is feeling GUILTY towards my fiance all the time – and it paralyzes me. It seems to me that deep in my bones I KNOW that I don’t want to be with him, and I’m not able to commit fully, so doing any loving actions makes me think like “you’re lying to yourself and to him”. I went through many comments and one of them triggered me – a girl was saying that she had some kind of anxiety but never felt guilty about being with her boyfriend and living with his parents, so she knew she really loved him. And I feel that I’m using him for my own purpose, especially after I read somewhere that I am prone to be codependent. Something inside tells me to be honest and to leave. I just hope it’s my fear, but maybe it isn’t and I have to face the TRUTH… I will be grateful for any support 😘
Hi Mag, I’m not Sheryl but as a someone going through the same I would encourage you to remember how many of the articles on this site talk about guilt and shame. At one point in my journey I was consumed by guilt all day every day for putting my partner through this. I’ve worked to try and break down some of this shame and I no longer feel quite like that (not every day at least). But also remember that your fiance is an adult who is perfectly capable of making their own choices- I can’t remember which of Sheryl’s articles that’s from, but it stayed with me. For the person who made the comment that triggered this, then that may well be their reality. But it seems to me that the reality for most (if not all) others on here is that shame is a huge part of this anxiety, and for highly sensitive people more generally. If you haven’t already done so, I would really recommend typing ‘guilt’ or ‘shame’ into the search bar, as I found numerous articles there really helpful in normalising my shame and realising that guilt is almost an inevitable part of relationship anxiety. To me, it almost wouldn’t make sense if there was no guilt at all! Sending love x
Dear NM,
Thank you for your response, it made me feel a little comforted. Of course I tried searching “guilt” first, but probably I was in such panic that I overlooked some essential articles and focused mainly on other people’s stories. This is true what you are writing about my fiance and his ability to choose. In fact, we had numerous talks about my guilt and he claims he doesn’t feel used at all! When I’m like “look, I’ve been trying for so long and I’ve been meeting my therapist for 2 years, it’s not working and I’m not making any progress”, he responds “I see the progress in you”. Then I don’t know if there’s really some progress, or maybe he just WANTS to see it? Thank you also for reminding me that someone’s story doesn’t have to be my story, and that it’s all normal. Thank you so much for sharing your feelings and responding when I needed it so much! Lots of love!
Just listened. Love love love Gathering Gold! Especially your description at the end. Now, I’m off to plant some Irises I was gifted. I think they are Golden Irises!!!
Thank you so much, Annette, and how lovely about the irises! 🙂
Sheryl and Victoria,
Thank you so much for today’s podcast. It was absolutely beautiful. So calming and relaxed and flowing in the way it was shared and the content was just pure gold.
Thanks from a grateful listener in the UK. xxx
Thank you so much, Angeline! Your words are gold in our hearts :). xoxo
Sheryl, I want to say is it is wonderful to hear your voice my home again! I listened today while pottering around the house and you felt so close. I felt a profound depth and spaciousness in my heart as I listened to you and Victoria (what a remarkable young woman!), tears of recognition and softening and understanding. I’m going to be a regular and grateful listener.
Your words are the very best way to start my day. Thank you for listening and receiving and reflecting, and I will truly delight in knowing that our voices are with you in Australia :). xoxoxo
Clara, can I ask – are you the same Clara that Sheryl interviewed for her Break Free from RA course a few years ago? 😊
Hi Sheryl please can you advise?
It’s 3am and I’m lying awake here- my brain screaming at me that ‘I don’t want this’ and ‘I’ve made a mistake’ (I’m due to be moving in with my partner in weeks- we’ve signed the contract.) I can’t escape this and feel like giving up. This has been 2 years of my life.
Hi SJ, I don’t have any advice but I just want to send you love ❤️
Hi SJ,
I thought I would share my experience since your story reminded me so much of me. Moving in with a partner is a huge transition and one that caused me a ton of anxiety years ago. Mine wiped me off my feet a few weeks after moving in, and because I didn’t understand it, I actually went back to my parents house for about a week because I was in such a panic. I thought for sure we had to break up because I didn’t feel the way I should feel. This was 6 years ago, and since then we got married, have grown our family and are looking for our next home. I fully anticipate another round of panic will set in this time too, but that doesn’t mean it is a mistake. Sending you love, strength and clarity!