Seasons of Life Series – Episode 10: Winter: The Wilderness Season 🎙 Guest: LaQuesia Love, LPC-S | Love Therapy Counseling, Dallas, TX

Welcome to the Seasons of Life series! Life moves in rhythms and seasons—some full of warmth and joy, others cold and isolating. In this episode, we’re diving into Winter: The Wilderness Season, a time of uncertainty, waiting, and deep internal work. Whether you’re dealing with loss, loneliness, or just feeling stuck, winter seasons challenge us to slow down, let go, and prepare for what’s next.

Licensed therapist LaQuesia Love, LPCC, joins me to talk about how to navigate this challenging season with mind, body, and soul care. We’ll explore the difference between self-care and soul-care, why winter seasons are necessary for growth, and how to challenge the negative thoughts that often arise. Most importantly, we’ll remind you that this season won’t last forever—spring always comes.

🌨 What is a “winter” season in life? – Feeling lost, stuck, or disconnected 🍂 The necessity of letting things go – Why some things need to die off to make space for new growth 🧠 Challenging negative thoughts – Learning to recognize “fact vs. fear” 💙 Self-care vs. soul-care – Why we need both to get through hard seasons 🌱 Holding onto hope – Even when you can’t see what’s next

✔ Recognizing and challenging negative thought patterns ✔ Giving yourself permission to rest and slow down ✔ Seeking community and support during isolating times ✔ Understanding that growth is happening, even when it’s not visible ✔ Holding onto faith and hope—spring always follows winter

✨ “Winter isn’t just about surviving—it’s about preparing.” ✨ “Your thoughts are not always facts. Ask yourself: Is this fact or fear?” ✨ “Even in this season, something is happening beneath the surface.”

🔹 Connect with LaQuesia Love, LPC-S: www.lovetherapy.group or IG: @lovetherapydfw 🔹 Follow Nicole Green, LPCC: www.bewellwithnicole.com Instagram: @BeWellwithNicoleG 🔹 Subscribe to the Back to Life with Nicole Podcast for more encouragement!

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This podcast provides general information and discussion about personal growth and related subjects. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as professional advice. Consult appropriate experts for advice specific to your situation.

SHOW NOTES

Episode Title: I Will Survive – Navigating Setbacks & Unmet Expectations Series: WHY ME? – Part 3 Hosts: Nicole & Angela Barela, LPCC

Ever found yourself thinking, “This is NOT how life was supposed to go”? You’re not alone. In this final episode of our WHY ME? series, licensed professional clinical counselors, Nicole Green and Angela Barela of Blue Phoenix Therapy, dive into the emotional, mental, and spiritual impact of unmet expectations and setbacks—those moments when life doesn’t unfold the way we imagined.

We’re unpacking why these disappointments hit so hard, how to shift from a “Why Me?” mindset to a place of hope and resilience, and practical strategies for navigating life's detours without losing yourself in the process.

If you’re struggling with a delayed dream, a failed plan, or a season of waiting, this conversation will remind you: This isn’t the end of your story.

✔️ Why unmet expectations feel so heavy and how to process them ✔️ The "Why Me?" mindset—and how to shift it ✔️ How setbacks can be redirections, not rejections ✔️ Practical coping strategies for disappointment and life’s detours ✔️ How faith plays a role in trusting the process

✨ "Life is not a vending machine—you don’t just press a button and get what you want." – Angela ✨ "You are allowed to grieve, but don’t let it stop you from living." – Angela ✨ "Maybe God isn’t saying ‘no’—He’s saying ‘not yet’ or ‘I have something better.’" – Nicole

Quote mentioned in podcast: “The goal is not to have better ways to escape struggle. The goal is to become the person who doesn’t crumble under struggle” - 𝐑𝐚𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬 | 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 | 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡| 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭 IG: @raquel_the_capacity_expert

🔗 [Follow Nicole Green, LPCC on Instagram] @BeWellwithNicoleG 🔗 [Connect with Angela Barela, LPCC on Instagram] @BluePhoenixTherapy 🔗 [Subscribe to the Podcast]

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Until next time… keep showing up for yourself.

Disclaimer: This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice, therapy, or professional support. Please seek professional help when needed.

Episode Title: How Can I Ease the Pain? - The Silent Struggles of Chronic Illness, Injury, and Pain

Episode Summary: When life throws unexpected health challenges our way—whether it’s chronic illness, injury, or ongoing pain—it can feel like we’ve lost control of our own story. These struggles don’t always come with sympathy cards or easy solutions, but they do come with a lot of emotions, questions, and grief for the life we once had.

In this episode of the WHY ME? series, I’m opening up about my own unexpected health diagnosis and how it led me to a full-on “Why me?” moment. We’ll talk about the hidden grief that comes with these silent struggles, how to navigate the mental and emotional toll, and most importantly—how to hold on to hope even when healing feels out of reach.

Whether you’re in the midst of a health battle, supporting someone who is, or just trying to figure out how to cope with life’s unexpected detours—this conversation is for you. 💚

✅ The surprising ways chronic illness, injury, and pain can feel like grief ✅ Why these struggles can be so isolating—and how to find support ✅ How to shift from “Why me?” to “What now?” ✅ Practical ways to take back control of your life, even in hard seasons ✅ Finding purpose and hope when life doesn’t go as planned

💚 Your struggle is real, even if others don’t see it. 💚 Grieving what you've lost is normal—give yourself grace. 💚 You’re not broken, and your life still holds value. 💚 Hope isn’t about waiting for things to get better—it’s about finding light, even here.

💬 Was this episode helpful? Let’s talk about it! DM me on Instagram @BeWellwithNicoleG and share your thoughts. 📩 Know someone who needs this? Send them this episode as a little reminder they’re not alone. 🎧 Subscribe & leave a review—it helps get this message of hope into more ears that need it!

Next Episode: We’ve talked about grief, loss, pain, and the silent struggles that come with the Why Me? moments in life—but now, it’s time to talk about survival. In our final episode of this series, I Will Survive, we’ll explore how to navigate setbacks, unmet expectations, and the detours life throws our way. How do we move forward when things don’t go as planned? Where do we find hope when we feel stuck? Let’s dig into these questions and remind ourselves that survival isn’t just about making it through—it’s about thriving in the process. You won’t want to miss this one!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not a replacement for medical advice, therapy, or professional support. Please seek professional help when needed.