You’ve done the work.

You’ve built the habits.

You’ve pushed through the discomfort.

So why does it still feel like you’re not fully that person yet?

In this episode, we break down the final (and often hardest) step of personal growth:

taking full ownership of who you’ve become.

Because becoming the new version of you isn’t about doing more —

it’s about deciding you already are that person.

1. Why you’ll never “feel ready” to become your next version
2. The gap between doing vs. being
3. Why the “messy middle” feels so uncomfortable
4. Fear of success and identity shifts
5. How to stop waiting for permission
6. Letting go of your old story
7. How to fully embody your new identity

You don’t wait until you feel confident.

You decide, today, that this is who you are.

There’s a gap between:

1. Doing the habits
2. Being the person

That gap feels uncomfortable because your brain is catching up to your actions.

When you say:

1. “I’m trying to be disciplined”
2. “I’m trying to be confident”

You reinforce that you’re not there yet.

Instead:

1. “I follow through”
2. “I take care of my health”

If you’re waiting for validation…

You’ll stay stuck.

Ownership happens when you decide:

“This is who I am now.”

Every time you say:

1. “I’ve always been like this…”
2. “I’m just not that kind of person…”

You reinforce the old version.

Let it go.

Ask yourself:

1. What would future me do here?
2. What would the version of me I’m becoming choose?

Small decisions = identity reinforcement.

There is no final version of you.

There are seasons of:

1. Becoming
2. Being
3. Expanding again

And learning to sit in the “being” phase is just as important.

You’ll notice:

1. You trust your decisions faster
2. You stop over-explaining yourself
3. You recover quicker from setbacks
4. You feel more calm and grounded
5. It starts to feel… normal

That’s when it clicks.

What would it look like to fully own this version of me?

If you’re stuck in the gap and want support:

👉 https://www.fiveyearyou.com/coaching

We work with you 2:1 to help you:

1. Break through identity blocks
2. Build confidence
3. Fully step into your next level

You don’t need another breakthrough.

You don’t need more proof.

You just need to own who you’ve already become.

If you loved this episode, share it with someone who’s in their “messy middle” right now 💫

If you’ve been doing the work, making changes, and still asking yourself…

“What if I’m wrong?”

This episode is for you.

Because one of the hardest parts of growth isn’t starting —

it’s staying on the path when doubt shows up.

👉 Coaching: https://www.fiveyearyou.com/coaching

1. Why doubt shows up when you’re actually growing
2. The myth of certainty (and why you’ll never feel 100% sure)
3. The difference between being off track vs. uncomfortable
4. How to recognize real signs of alignment
5. Why you don’t need external validation to stay on your path
6. How to build self-trust without constant reassurance

You don’t get certainty first…

You get clarity after you take action.

Growth removes predictability — and your brain will resist that.

That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

It means you’re doing something new.

Even when things aren’t perfect, there’s an internal steadiness.

You’re not forcing everything — opportunities, people, and ideas start to align.

Even if others don’t understand your choices, you know they’re right for you.

Your actions feel aligned with who you’re becoming.

You feel resistance — but it doesn’t stop you.

Small habits start sticking. You show up more often as your future self.

Being on the right path does NOT mean:

1. You feel confident all the time
2. You have certainty
3. You see immediate results
4. Other people understand your decisions
5. It’s easy

Discomfort is part of alignment — not proof you’re off track.

Most people don’t lack direction…

They lack tolerance for uncertainty.

Small daily actions build confidence in who you’re becoming

Every time you seek reassurance, you weaken your own voice

You don’t need proof yet — just momentum

Focus on effort, consistency, and how things feel

1. What felt aligned today?
2. Where did I trust myself?
3. What small step did I take forward?
4. What nudges or signs did I notice?

You don’t need full certainty to be on the right path.

You just need:

➡️ A direction that feels aligned

➡️ The courage to keep going

➡️ And the willingness to trust yourself

Catherine:

First garage sale + thrifting day of the season 🛍️

Andrew:

Finding small signs of alignment (like his “dime moments”)

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who’s questioning their path right now 💫

Apply for Coaching:

https://fiveyearyou.com

Feeling anxious and need it to stop… fast?

In this solo episode, Andrew breaks down exactly what’s happening in your body during anxiety — and gives you simple, practical tools to calm it down in real time.

No overcomplicated strategies.

No “just think positive” advice.

Just real, science-backed ways to regulate your nervous system and feel better quickly.

If you’ve ever:

• Felt tightness in your chest, throat, or stomach

• Experienced racing thoughts you can’t shut off

• Needed immediate relief from anxiety

• Tried to “think your way out” and it didn’t work

This episode will give you a step-by-step reset you can use anytime.

WHAT WE COVER:

• Why anxiety feels so intense and urgent

• The fight-or-flight response explained simply

• Why you can’t think your way out of anxiety

• The difference between real danger and perceived threat

• How your nervous system creates anxiety loops

• Why awareness is the first step to calming down

HOW TO CALM ANXIETY FAST OPTIONS:

1. Breathe (First Always)
2. Inhale for 4 seconds
3. Exhale slowly for 6–8 seconds
4. Repeat for 1–3 minutes
5. Move Your Body
6. Walk, shake your hands, jump, or change environments
7. Release the built-up energy in your system
8. Ground Yourself
9. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method or name objects around you
10. Remind your brain: “I am safe right now”
11. Reframe Your Thoughts
12. Ask yourself:
13. • What actually happened?
14. • What am I imagining?
15. • What evidence do I have?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

You don’t calm anxiety by thinking your way out.

You calm it by regulating your body first.

Anxiety is not a sign something is wrong with you.

It’s your body trying to protect you.

The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety —

It’s to learn how to move through it faster.

TRY THIS:

Create your own “Anxiety Reset Routine”:

• Breathe

• Move

• Ground

• Reframe

Practice it when you’re calm so it’s easier to use when you’re not.

NEXT EPISODE:

How to Set Boundaries (Without Triggering Anxiety)

Because growth and boundaries often go hand in hand.

Connect With Us:

Website & Coaching:

https://fiveyearyou.com

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/fiveyearyou

Email:

hello@fiveyearyou.com

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs a reset today.

You’re not broken.

You’re human.

And you can bring yourself back to calm. 💛

We’ve all been there.

You say something awkward…

You replay a conversation over and over…

You start imagining worst-case scenarios…

And before you know it, your brain is running a full disaster movie.

In this episode, we’re talking about what spiraling really is, why your brain does it, and how to stop it before it takes over your entire day. how-to-stop-spiraling

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in anxiety loops, catastrophizing about small moments, or doubting yourself after an interaction, this episode will give you practical tools to break the cycle.

We discuss:

• What “spiraling” actually is and why it happens

• How your nervous system searches for threats when you feel unsafe

• The connection between triggers and anxiety loops

• Why growth and personal development can make spiraling more likely

• How spiraling can pull you back into old habits and behaviors

• Practical ways to calm your nervous system when a spiral starts

• Questions to ask yourself to separate fear from reality

Spiraling usually starts with a triggering moment.

Something small happens—an awkward interaction, criticism, or uncertainty—and your brain begins trying to predict every possible threat.

Your nervous system enters hyper-arousal, and suddenly you may experience:

• Racing thoughts

• Catastrophizing

• Self-doubt

• Emotional replays of past events

• Fear of rejection or losing belonging

Your brain isn’t broken.

It’s trying to protect you.

You might notice yourself:

• Replaying conversations repeatedly

• Assuming the worst-case scenario

• Questioning your identity or decisions

• Over-analyzing someone else’s reaction

• Feeling tense or physically activated

• Doubting your progress or growth

Spiraling often happens when you’re trying something new or growing, because new behavior creates vulnerability.

Andrew shares three immediate ways to interrupt a spiral.

Change your environment or body state.

Try:

• Standing up and moving rooms

• Walking outside

• Splashing cold water on your wrists

• Cooling the back of your neck

Your body needs to calm before your mind can.

Spiraling causes shallow breathing.

Reset your nervous system with slower breaths.

Try:

• Box breathing

• A deep inhale through the nose

• A small “sip” inhale

• A long, slow exhale

Longer exhales signal safety to your nervous system.

Simply say:

“I’m spiraling right now.”

Labeling the experience reduces emotional intensity and helps your brain step out of the loop.

Once your body is calmer, ask yourself:

• What is actually happening?

• What am I assuming?

• What evidence do I have?

• What story am I telling myself?

Most spirals are built on assumptions, not facts.

To prevent spirals long-term:

• Pause before reacting

• Give your brain 7 seconds to process

• Talk to a trusted person for a reality check

• Journal your thoughts instead of replaying them

• Protect your boundaries during personal growth

Remember: every thought you have is not the truth.

Spiraling doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It usually means you’re stretching into something new.

Growth creates vulnerability.

Vulnerability can trigger anxiety.

But awareness helps you break the loop.

You don’t need to eliminate spiraling completely.

You just need tools to recognize it and move through it faster.

At the end of every episode, we share something bringing us joy.

Cat’s Glimmer:

Getting unexpected one-on-one time with her daughter during a week off from swimming.

Andrew’s Glimmer:

Going to a Winnipeg Jets game with his dad and son.

Small moments of joy matter.

Next we’re talking about:

The Boundaries That Protect Your Growth

Because becoming your future self often requires protecting your energy and your progress.