Ever leave a therapy session feeling completely exhausted, emotionally exposed, or wondering, “Is this even working?” 🛋️💔
You entered this journey looking for an immediate exhale, but instead, it feels like the volume on your emotions just got turned up.
Here is the truth: Feeling worse does not mean you are failing. It means the deep work is beginning.
True healing doesn’t unfold at the speed of light—it unfolds at the speed of safety. It is a layered, non-linear journey of cleaning out old wounds so they can finally heal cleanly from the inside out. In this powerful episode, we peel back the curtain on the invisible signs of emotional growth and dismantle the biggest myths about mental health, faith, and progress.
What We’re Breaking Down in This Episode:
The “Feeling Worse” Paradox: Why hitting emotional resistance and uncovering hidden patterns (like using distractions to escape feelings of inadequacy) is actually a sign of profound momentum.
Faith & Therapy: How to navigate the spiritual tension of vulnerability and embrace the truth that seeking support doesn’t mean your faith is weak—it clarifies it.
The Myth of the Finish Line: Why healing isn’t a race to a perfect destination, but a sustainable practice of becoming more honest and compassionate with yourself.
Between-Session Care: Practical grounding exercises to soothe your nervous system when the emotional heavy-lifting follows you home.
Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s just a quiet pause before you react, a boundary you finally set, or the grace you give yourself to rest.
Are you ready to stop rushing your process and trust your pace?
Brought to you by The Rising Muse, LLC. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and join our community growth challenge as we hit our next milestone! 🎧🌱
(And How Faith, Awareness, and Compassion Can Help)
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with someone you love, feeling completely misunderstood, disconnected, or more alone than before?
When tension rises, intimacy and understanding seem to vanish in an instant. But what if the breakdown isn’t because you’re bad at expressing yourself? What if it’s rooted in something much deeper—your nervous system’s natural response to threat and trauma?
In this video, we are breaking down the complex biology of why communication falters during conflict, and how you can use your faith and emotional awareness to stay connected when conversations get hard.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The Body First: How your nervous system triggers fight, flight, freeze, or fawn modes before a conflict even starts in your mouth.
The Power of a Holy Pause: Practical ways to live out James 1:19 (“quick to listen, slow to speak”) when your physical nerves are completely frayed.
Recognizing What Lies Beneath: How hidden wounds, unmet needs, and shame hijack dinner-time disagreements and turn minor issues into major fights.
The Grace-Filled Script: A simple, 10-minute boundary trick to use when you’re too overwhelmed to think straight, ensuring you protect your relationship instead of pushing each other away.
Key Takeaway: The most mature person still experiences moments of immaturity when emotions activate their survival response. The key isn’t being perfect—it’s learning how to regulate.
Conflict is inevitable, but disconnection is a choice. You don’t have to navigate these hard conversations alone. Watch the video to learn how to transform your conflicts into opportunities for deeper connection, grounded presence, and courageous love.
In this episode of “Thrive by the Rising Muse,” hosts Naty and Veda explore the profound topic of healing the inner child. This conversation is not just about revisiting the past but about embracing the journey to emotional and spiritual wholeness. Naty and Veda share personal stories and insights, reminding us that the inner child is the part of us that holds both joy and pain, shaping who we become.
Understanding the Inner Child
Naty and Veda explain how childhood experiences, both joyful and painful, influence our adult lives. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging these memories to facilitate healing and personal growth. Steps to Healing: The episode outlines practical steps for healing, including acknowledging hurt, reparenting oneself, and setting boundaries. Naty and Veda share their personal journeys of forgiveness and the freedom it brings. Spiritual Insights: Drawing on scripture, they explore how faith and God’s love play a pivotal role in the healing process, providing hope and restoration.
Join us for this heartfelt episode as we explore the path to healing and thriving. Tune in to “Thrive by the Rising Muse” and embark on your journey to wholeness.
Subscribe now to stay updated on our latest episodes and follow us on social media @TheRisingMuse for more insights and inspiration.
In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Social media feeds are filled with curated lives, impressive achievements, and seemingly perfect moments. It’s natural to feel like we’re falling short when we see others shining. However, it’s crucial to remember that comparing ourselves to others can undermine our self-worth and distort our perception of success.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10
The Illusion of Comparison
When we compare ourselves to others, we often focus on their highlight reels while overlooking our own progress and achievements. Everyone has their struggles, insecurities, and setbacks—things that are rarely shared in public forums. It’s essential to recognize that behind every seemingly perfect photo or achievement, there’s a unique story filled with challenges and growth.
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” — Galatians 6:4-5
Understanding Your Value
Each person has their own path, shaped by individual experiences, strengths, and passions. Instead of measuring your worth against someone else’s success, take time to reflect on your journey. Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating your milestones can foster a sense of fulfillment and help you appreciate your unique contributions to the world.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10
Shifting Your Mindset
When you recognize your inherent value, you can begin to cultivate a healthier mindset. Here are some strategies to help you shift your focus:
Practice Gratitude: Regularly remind yourself of what you’re thankful for in your life. This can help shift your focus from what others have to the abundance in your own life. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Set Personal Goals: Define success on your own terms. Set goals that resonate with your values and aspirations rather than those imposed by societal standards. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
Limit Social Media Exposure: Consider curating your social media feeds to follow accounts that inspire and uplift you. Unfollow those that trigger feelings of inadequacy. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
Cultivate Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. Acknowledge your struggles without judgment. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
Engage in Self-Reflection: Spend time contemplating your strengths and areas for growth. Journaling can be an effective tool to track your progress and remind yourself of your journey. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5
You Are Enough
Remember, you are better than you think you are. Your worth is inherent, not defined by comparison. Embracing your individuality allows you to cultivate confidence and authenticity. When you stop comparing yourself to others, you open the door to self-acceptance and a richer, more fulfilling life. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” — Psalm 139:14
Ultimately, the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance is ongoing. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, not a copy of someone else. Celebrate your uniqueness, for that is where your true strength lies. You have a remarkable journey ahead, and it’s entirely yours to embrace.
Are you seeking a way to find peace amidst life’s inevitable pains and challenges? Join us in our latest podcast episode as we delve deep into the essence of forgiveness—a journey from resentment to liberation.
On our most recent episode of Thrive by The Rising Muse we guide you through a profound conversation on forgiveness. With engaging and relatable storytelling, we explore how forgiveness intersects with faith, family, and mental health, offering transformative insights along the way.
We start by defining forgiveness through the lens of the American Psychology Association (APA), which describes it as an intentional process of letting go of anger and resentment while embracing empathy and compassion. They emphasize that forgiveness is not necessarily about reconciliation but about freeing oneself from the burden of bitterness.
There are 4 types of forgiveness:
Forgiving Others: The most common form, where you forgive someone who has hurt you.
Self-Forgiveness: Often the hardest, where you learn to forgive yourself for past mistakes.
Forgiving Circumstances: Letting go of resentment towards situations beyond your control.
Forgiving God: Acknowledging and processing feelings of anger towards God in times of personal loss or tragedy.
This episode also offers practical advice on how to embark on your own journey of forgiveness:
Acknowledge Your Pain: The first step is recognizing and admitting your hurt.
Gain Perspective: Try to understand the situation from different viewpoints.
Release Resentment: Learn to let go of grudges that weigh you down.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be patient and kind to yourself as you navigate the forgiveness process.
Seek Guidance: Whether through therapy, counseling, or spiritual guidance, don’t hesitate to seek help.
The Spiritual Dimension of Forgiveness
Our hosts discuss the spiritual aspects of forgiveness, referencing various scriptures that underscore the importance of forgiving others as God forgives us. They also touch on the necessity of forgiving God, a concept that might seem controversial but is essential for healing deep-seated anger and disappointment.
Why Listen?
This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with forgiveness. Whether you find it hard to forgive others, yourself, or even God, Naty and Veda provide compassionate and insightful guidance to help you release the emotional burdens that are holding you back.
Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation that promises to uplift and inspire. Tune in to the Thrive podcast and start your journey towards true forgiveness today!
Ready to dive deeper into the topic of forgiveness? Click here to listen to the full episode now.
Naty Matos 