In this episode:

Clarissa opens up about a deeply personal and challenging season in her life—navigating grief, fear, and emotional overwhelm as unexpected hardships pile up. From her puppy's serious health concerns to her mother’s cancer recurrence, Clarissa vulnerably shares what it’s like to face wave after wave of uncertainty.

The Food Shrinks dive into what happens when emotional pain feels relentless, and all the usual tools start to feel... not enough. Together, they explore:

💡How to manage emotional pain when it feels like you’re at capacity
💡The dance between disassociation and anger in response to trauma
💡The silent fears about relapse or returning to old coping mechanisms
💡De-shaming the fear of recurrence and reframing relapse prevention
💡The importance of community and connection when survival mode kicks in
💡How empathic individuals may be significantly impacted by global and personal uncertainty
💡Practical tools for staying grounded, even when the storm feels never-ending

Through candid conversation and dark humor (because, hey, sometimes we need it), the team navigates the murky waters of high-stress seasons and how to “put on your wetsuit” when life feels like an emotional downpour.

Takeaways:
✨ Why acceptance is sometimes more challenging than it sounds
✨ The power of community and skill-building during emotional overwhelm
✨ How loosening shame around relapse fears can actually create more resilience
✨ “Help me to want what I have” – the uncomfortable but powerful prayer for navigating tough times

🎧 Listen now for an honest, raw, and heart-opening conversation on what it means to be human, in recovery, and doing your best when life feels just too heavy.

💌 Listener Q&A is open!
Have a question for The Food Shrinks? Send it to AskTheShrinks@foodshrinks.com and you might hear it answered on a future episode!

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📧 Email: AskTheShrinks@foodshrinks.com
🌐 Website: foodshrinks.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.