3549: I Hope You Feel Small: The Surprising Upside of Unselfing by Rachel Macy Stafford of Hands Free Mama

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Education, Mental Health, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness

4.6 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 April 2025

⏱️ 10 minutes

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Summary

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3549: Spending time in nature and reconnecting with cherished childhood places can offer a profound shift in perspective. Rachel Macy Stafford reflects on how revisiting her aunt and uncle’s home after decades helped her rediscover the power of "unselfing," turning attention outward to embrace the beauty of the world beyond personal worries. By zooming out, immersing in nature, and appreciating life's vastness, we can find strength and clarity in unexpected ways. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.handsfreemama.com/2023/08/25/i-hope-you-feel-small-the-surprising-upside-of-unselfing/ Quotes to ponder: "This card reminded me of your long driveway. Every time we pulled into the driveway leading up to your house, my heart raced with excitement and happiness." "At home, I tended to make myself the center of my own universe, so naturally, everything felt big and overwhelming. But at my aunt’s house, I was immersed in the beauty of nature using all of my senses." "Experiences that refresh our energies, calm our anxieties, and nurture our well-being are more accessible than we might think." Episode references: The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch: https://www.amazon.com/Sovereignty-Good-Iris-Murdoch/dp/0415253993 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before we start, please check out our new podcast, Good Sleep. Have you ever noticed how a calm mind
0:05.4	can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast,
0:10.2	Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a
0:15.2	peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting.
0:22.1	They can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep. So press play on good sleep tonight
0:28.1	because a good tomorrow starts with a good night's sleep. Just search for good sleep in your podcast
0:33.8	app and be sure to pick the one from Optimal Living Daily.
0:45.0	This is Optimal Living Daily. I hope you feel small, the surprising upside of unselfing by Rachel Macy Stafford of HandsfreeMama.com, and I'm Justin Mollick reading to every day covering
0:51.0	happiness, productivity, self-help, minimalism, and more. So with that, let's get
0:56.5	right to it and start optimizing your life. I hope you feel small, the surprising upside of
1:06.5	unselfing by Rachel Macy Stafford of handsfree mama.com.
1:12.4	Exactly one year ago, I came across a greeting card that struck me in a way no card ever has.
1:19.1	There was no text, just a colorful, hand-drawn sketch of a square house with a chimney.
1:24.5	The house was nestled on a hilltop that could be reached by a long, winding drive.
1:29.3	A hot air balloon happily drifted in the blue sky over a trio of hills. I immediately bought the card
1:35.0	and displayed it on my kitchen counter, hoping the reason I was drawn to it would become clear.
1:41.0	A few days later, the significance hit me like a ton of bricks. The picture reminded me of my
1:47.3	Aunt Jane and Uncle Steve's house in northern Indiana, where I'd spent a week every summer
1:52.3	throughout my childhood. As much as I hated to part with the card, I knew I needed to send it
1:58.6	to my aunt and uncle, now in their 80s, still living in that very same
2:02.4	house. This card reminded me of your long driveway, I wrote inside the card. Every time we pulled
2:08.8	into the driveway leading up to your house, my heart raised with excitement and happiness. I couldn't
	...

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