In this candid and transformative episode, Andrew and Catherine challenge the conventional notion that being selfish is inherently negative. They explore how prioritizing your own needs isn’t about being self-absorbed, it’s about self-care, maintaining your energy, and ultimately showing up as the best version of yourself for the people you love.

Through honest discussion and personal examples, they delve into the importance of setting boundaries, replenishing your “bucket,” and redefining selfishness as a vital practice for well-being.

• Redefining Selfishness: Shifting from the negative connotation of selfish to embracing self-care and putting yourself first.
• Distinguishing Selfish from Self-Absorbed: Understanding that caring for yourself doesn’t mean disregarding others; it’s about nurturing your own well-being first.
• The Bucket Metaphor: The idea that if your energy “bucket” is empty, you can’t effectively support others, emphasizing the need to refill it regularly.
• Setting Boundaries: Recognizing when to say no, even if it feels uncomfortable, to avoid burnout and preserve your mental, physical, and financial health.
• Practical Examples: Real-life scenarios from parenting, work, and daily routines that illustrate the challenges and benefits of being selfish in a healthy way.

1. Practice Self-Care Daily: Dedicate time to replenish your energy—whether it’s through a quiet moment with your favorite book or a simple break to enjoy a cup of coffee.
2. Set Clear Boundaries: Identify situations where you tend to overextend yourself and commit to saying “no” when necessary to protect your well-being.
3. Use the Bucket/Number System: Regularly check in with yourself using a metaphorical “bucket” or a simple scale to gauge your energy levels and adjust your commitments accordingly.
4. Communicate Your Needs: Share with your loved ones when you need a moment for self-care, reinforcing that taking care of yourself benefits everyone in the long run.
5. Reframe Your Mindset: Remind yourself that prioritizing your needs isn’t selfish in the negative sense—it’s a crucial practice for maintaining your overall health and capacity to help others.

Andrew’s Aha Moments:

• "When you’re empty, you can’t fill anyone else’s bucket. Self-care is about ensuring you have the energy to show up for the ones you love."
• "Being selfish isn’t about not caring—it’s about caring for yourself so you can care for others in a meaningful way."

Catherine’s Aha Moments:

• "I used to be the ultimate people pleaser, but learning to put my needs first has been a game changer for my mental and physical health."
• "Sometimes you have to say no, even if it feels like you’re letting someone down, because protecting your energy is essential."

• Catherine: Shared her delight in wearing a pair of bright, fun earrings, a gift from Andrew, that perfectly reflect her vibrant personality and remind her of the joy in embracing her true self.
• Andrew: Expressed his gratitude for the podcast itself, highlighting how the process of creating and sharing these conversations fuels his energy and passion for living a fulfilled life.

Connect with Us:

• Visit Five Year You for more insights and coaching resources.
• Follow us on Instagram

In this uplifting episode, Andrew and Catherine reframe the notion of “starting over.” Instead of viewing life’s unexpected pivots—whether it’s returning to work, diving back into the dating scene, rebuilding a business, or recovering from personal setbacks—as a complete restart, they remind us that every new beginning is built upon a foundation of experience. The conversation emphasizes that our past choices, even the missteps, equip us with wisdom and resilience, turning each transition into the next chapter of our personal journey.

• Reframing Life Transitions: Recognizing that what may seem like a fresh start is actually an evolution built from your accumulated experiences.
• Learning from the Past: Embracing every decision and setback as a lesson that guides you toward better choices in the future.
• Mindset Shifts: Exploring abundance versus scarcity mindsets and how they influence your willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
• Gratitude and Growth: Appreciating the value of each experience—good or bad—as a stepping stone to personal and professional growth.
• Practical Examples: Discussing real-life scenarios, from rebuilding a home or business to navigating relationships, that illustrate the power of starting from experience rather than starting over.

1. Reflect on Past Lessons: Take time to list key experiences and the lessons learned from them. Use this as a guide for your next steps.
2. Reframe Challenges: When faced with a setback, ask yourself, “What did I learn from this?” instead of feeling like you’re starting from scratch.
3. Adopt an Abundance Mindset: Shift your focus from fear of the unknown to excitement for the endless possibilities ahead.
4. Celebrate Growth: Acknowledge how far you’ve come and use that gratitude as motivation to embrace new opportunities.
5. Set Positive Expectations: Visualize how your current challenges can lead to unexpected benefits, even if the progress isn’t immediately visible.

Catherine’s Aha Moments:

• "You're not starting over—you're starting from experience."
• "Every choice, every setback, teaches you something that shapes who you are today."

Andrew’s Aha Moments:

• "The first time you do something may not go perfectly, but each time you do it, you’re building on what you learned before."
• "Sometimes being forced out of your comfort zone is exactly what you need to open up to new, better opportunities."

• Catherine: Shared her newfound love for a particular brand of high-protein yogurt, marking a small yet meaningful step in her health journey.
• Andrew: Revealed his excitement about finding beautiful new lamps at a great price—and a personal nod to re-embracing his love for gold, symbolizing a return to his authentic style.

• Visit Five Year You for more insights and coaching resources.
• Follow us on Instagram @fiveyearyou.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical, financial, or personal concerns. Some links mentioned in this episode may be affiliate links. If you make a...

In this insightful episode, Andrew and Catherine dive deep into the dynamics of trust—what it means to build it, how to recognize when it's broken, and the steps necessary to rebuild and strengthen it in our personal and professional lives. Through candid conversation, they discuss trust as the congruence between words and actions, the importance of honoring commitments, and the transformative power of self-trust. Whether it’s being punctual, keeping small promises, or shifting your identity to align with your values, this episode offers a roadmap for cultivating trust from within and extending it outward.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining Trust: Understanding trust as the alignment between intentions, words, and actions.
• Honoring Commitments: The impact of punctuality and consistency on building trust.
• Self-Trust: How building trust with yourself lays the foundation for trusting others.
• Rebuilding Broken Trust: Steps to repair relationships when trust has been compromised.
• Identity Shifts: Cultivating a personal identity that reinforces trustworthy behavior.
• Communication & Boundaries: The role of honest dialogue and clear expectations in nurturing trust.

Actionable Steps for Listeners:

1. Commit to Small Promises: Start by making and keeping small commitments to yourself—whether it’s waking up on time or sticking to a daily habit.
2. Reflect on Your Boundaries: Identify situations where your trust has been broken and decide what behaviors you will no longer tolerate.
3. Practice Honest Communication: Share your expectations and feelings openly with friends, family, and colleagues.
4. Cultivate Self-Trust: Build a new identity around reliability by aligning your actions with your words consistently.
5. Rebuild Gradually: If trust has been damaged, approach its repair like building a bridge—one small, deliberate step at a time.

Quotes:

Catherine’s Aha Moments:

• "For me, trust is when another person’s intentions and their words match their actions."
• "Trust is all about honoring your commitments, no matter how small."
• "You deserve to have relationships where you feel valued and heard—never settle for less."

Andrew’s Aha Moments:

• "Trust is kind of a congruence between your words and your actions."
• "Building trust starts with trusting yourself; once you do, others will naturally follow."
• "When you say you'll do something, you set the stage for who you are—trust is your identity in action."

Glimmers of the Week:

• Andrew: Shared his joy about finding a wealth boat—an item he searched high and low for that now brings him daily inspiration at his desk.
• Catherine: Found a brand-new board game at a thrift store for just three bucks and had a blast playing it with her twins, a delightful reminder of finding joy in simple things.

Connect with Us:

• Visit Five Year You for more coaching resources.
• Follow us on Instagram @fiveyearyou.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any medical, financial, or personal concerns. Some links mentioned in this episode may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through...