Existing in harmful environments for too long can stifle us in so many ways. They can impact our relationships, work productivity, and overall satisfaction. Even more importantly, it can impact our physical and mental health. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is learning ourselves so well that we know how to navigate these harmful spaces.In this episode of Notes To Our Younger Selves, Nico and Drey switch up the format and do a resource sharing episode with examples of how we’ve used the steps we share to navigate harmful environments. Starting with a question around extending grace to others, we talk about how our own projections can hinder progress. We share about how we’ve used our bodies to navigate spaces, particularly one where you might be the minority in a particular identity. From there we share five steps you can use today to navigate harmful environments you might be in. We share examples of our experiences as leaders in the education and human resources industries as well as what we have learned from them as a way others can take similar actions or learn from mistakes we’ve made. We end the episode talking about how this topic consistently impacts black and brown folxs because of the design of the society we live in.In this episode, you’ll learn:How your body can guide you towards wellness (4:30)Navigating spaces where you are the only one (7:25)Five ways to navigate harmful environments (10:33)How you can use resources at your disposal (20:45)The pressure on black and brown folxs in certain harmful environments (25:50)Questions answered:Where is one area of your life where you could exhibit more grace for other people? (1:20)How have you determined if a particular environment was harmful? (4:15)What is an example of a trigger that you’ve had to work through (13:25)What is an example of a boundary you’ve had to set and how did the process go for you? (17:05)What’s one thing you would tell the version of yourself that’s living in a harmful environment? (28:55)Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/ 

Codependency results as a constant pressure of being tied down to rules that limit us. Whether it is in a romantic relationship, a familial relationship, and/or a friendship, any situation where we don’t fully express ourselves because of limits includes a level of codependency.In this episode of Notes To Our Younger Selves, we explore codependency, what it is, how it shows up, and ways we think about those relationships now. Exploring our early childhood, we share examples of healthy and unhealthy dependency before heading into how unhealthy relationships create detachment. From our conversation on detachment we dive deeper into its impact on intimacy and relationships. We end the episode sharing our thoughts on how embracing self-love as an ongoing process helps reframe codependency in our lives from a place of internal power.In this episode, you’ll learn:Defining codependency and what it means to you (3:40)The impact of detachment on intimacy and relationships (18:20)Learning from codependency, revisiting relationships and victimhood (29:45)Embracing self love as an ongoing process to reframe codependency (45:00)Questions answered:What examples can you draw on from moments in your life where you saw healthy dependency? (6:45)What are your experiences with creating healthy or unhealthy detachment? (14:15)When did you realize you had codependent behaviors? (25:10)How has victimhood played a role in your relationships and friendships (39:15)Resources referenced:“Codependent No More” by Melody BeattieFollow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/ 

Let’s face it. We all could benefit from setting more boundaries and being unapologetic about showing up as our authentic selves. Boundaries are the way that we can set parameters in our relationships that allow us to show up in a healthy way.In this episode of Notes To Our Younger Selves, we explore boundaries, what they are, different types and why they are integral to healing. We share vulnerably about times where we could’ve used boundaries along the way. From our conversation on boundaries we dive deeper into the difference between venting and emotional dumping. We close the episode by integrating four pillars for reparenting ourselves as a way to reclaim ourselves and create the world we envision.In this episode, you’ll learn:Defining boundaries (4:30)Types of Boundaries (14:33)The impact of overthinking & emotional dumping (22:10)The concept of reparenting & its four pillars (29:45)The benefits of using reparenting to create (41:15)Questions answered:What is your relationship with rest? (1:50)What’s the first word or thought you associate when talking about boundaries? (4:30)How do you tell the difference between venting and emotional dumping? (22:10)Where does reparenting and your relationship with the 4 pillars show up in your journey? (31:45)What are some manifestations/creations of your reparenting work? (41:10)Resources referenced:“How to Do the Work” by Dr. Nicole LePeraSet Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover TawwabFollow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/ 

At some level, most folxs have needs that weren’t met as a child. As we grow older, we might experience events and situations through a lens that enlightens us about these needs.In this episode of Notes To Our Younger Selves, we explore the “Inner Child” and its role in our healing journeys. Additionally we dive into the needs we might have had that went unfulfilled and how we might have formed templates, known as archetypes, of who we thought we needed to be in order to combat the lack in our lives. In this episode, you’ll learn:The definition/meaning of the phrase “Inner Child” (3:50)The impact of racialized trauma on our healing journey and its relationship to the inner child (5:45)The practice, and power, of disengagement (7:55)The inner child, our needs, and relationships (18:50)Archetypes: what they are, examples and their function in our lives (20:50)How you can heal through exploring archetypes (30:00)Questions answered:What has inner child work looked like, and meant, to you? (5:15)Is there an  experience from your childhood where you can vividly remember the pain you felt and how you processed protecting yourself from that pain again? (13:50)What are archetypes, how do they play a role in your life, and what are some examples of archetypes you see in your life? (20:50)What were some things, people, or situations you idealized or wished for in childhood that you thought would have met your core needs? (39:10)Resources referenced:“How to Do the Work” by Dr. Nicole LePeraFollow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/ 

Ego is more than a word to describe overconfidence or cockiness. Everyone has an ego and it’s an integral part of our personality formed in childhood, most often around trauma. Our ego seeks protection at all cost, whether by telling us stories about who/what are or blocking others out. Tune into this episode of Notes to Our Younger Selves, where we dive deep into the definition of ego, meeting our ego and the stories our ego tells us. For this episode we center a text “How to Do the Work” by Dr. Nicole LePera, whom we are not in partnership with, to help guide the conversation and concepts. In this episode, you’ll learn:Societal inequities that hinder the ability to engage in self-actualization and/or healing work (3:50)The ego’s persistent formation in our childhood and the impact of disconnection and shame (11:08)Meeting your ego (12:50)Stepping back and reassessing who you are without your ego (28:45)The danger of projections and our ego’s desire to protect (39:45)Questions answered:What was your first definition of ego? (5:20)What core belief from your youth activated your ego the most? (26:55)What is one thing you wish you could’ve heard or would like to tell a previous version of yourself that was consumed by ego stories? (44:40)Resources referenced:“How to Do the Work” by Dr. Nicole LePeraListen to David Goggins explain his concept of “the governor”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIbwsMAfVdcFollow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/ 

The power of storytelling is that people connect with your story by hearing theirs through yours. Your story is something that is unique to you. It is a compilation of the experiences in your life that shape your thoughts and beliefs that influence how you act. Listen in on this Notes to Our Younger Selves episode as we share our stories starting from our earliest childhood memories through adolescence and challenges we had to navigate through along the way. When we go deep, we can reframe traumas and failures as lessons to enable healing. When we share our story, we encourage and empower others to share theirs. In this episode you’ll learn:Experiences of a child growing up with parents from different racial backgrounds (3:00)Leaving home for school for the first time and the experience of feeling othered (5:16)The experience of losing a parent at a young age and the grief that comes with it (6:53)The impact of constantly moving in childhood and adolescence (11:48)The harm of the adultization of black and brown boys in school (17:18)The formation of agency and your ability to embrace decision making for yourself (31:06)Questions answered:What are some of your earliest memories and recollections from your childhood? (2:57)What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in childhood? (5:09)How do you remember your home environment during your youth? (8:25)Describe your journey in coming to and processing your identity? (17:13)Can you describe the impact your environment had on your earliest interpretation of society and who you were? (23:45)How do you think your experiences in early childhood and adolescence have influenced the decisions you’ve made in early adulthood? (29:35)Resources referenced Enneagram: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/ Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/ 

Welcome to Notes to Our Younger Selves, a podcast that explores the restorative nature of confronting ourselves, our trauma, and long withstanding wounds so that we can take ownership & accountability for how we’re showing up for ourselves and in our daily lives. Co-hosts Nico & Aundrey Page delve into different chapters of their lives by revisiting & reclaiming formative experiences through vulnerable storytelling, deep self-reflection, and sharing literature and text that’s been integral in their ongoing healing journey.In this brief trailer episode, Nico & Aundrey provide listeners a lens into the inspiration behind the show, the journey they're going to take listeners on, and who this show is for. Join us for the ride, as we seek to build community and contribute to the shifting narrative on what it means to be authentic, vulnerable, and the best version of yourself!Follow the Show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notes_podcast/ Follow Nico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopage__/ Follow Drey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drey.page/