Single Mother Survival Guide

In this week’s episode, I talk about managing emotions. When you’re a single mum, you may encounter twice the stress, twice the frustration, and twice the burnout that traditional father and mother parenting may experience. It is important to tune in and manage your emotions well because you have a huge influence on your child’s development. Learning to manage your own reactions is one of the most important ways you can teach your child how to manage their own emotions. In Episode 311, I discussed emotions and what they are. And today I hope to give you an understanding of how to manage them. I know it is surely easier said than done, but the payoff is huge, for you and your child. I also talk about the difference between emotions and feelings, negative self-talk, the cycle of thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, and quick tips on how to manage your emotions.  Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and

This week we are celebrating our 6th podcast anniversary! Greg joins me on the show this week. It’s just us having a chat on how the show has evolved over the years. We reminisce about our memorable travel moments, past guests and learnings, planning for our wedding, life in Goondiwindi, and Greg’s top relationship tips. Even my daughter pops in to say hello! This show started as a small passion project and it just grew over time, talking to so many incredible guests, and reaching thousands of listeners. I will never get tired of saying THANK YOU for making this show a part of your single mum journey. I am truly grateful! Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too. Or connect with Single Mother Survival Gui

Today I talk with you about emotions. How we live and interact with others is influenced by our emotions. It could even be said that we are ruled by our emotions. We make decisions based on whether we are happy, angry, or sad. It’s important to understand how your emotions are expressed and the impact they have on your actions because they can help us navigate life with ease. In this episode, I talk about the eight basic emotions that we are born with, and how they can stimulate a response in our body that influence our actions, behaviour, and decision-making. I also talk about blending emotions to produce a new emotion. I want you to know that it’s okay to experience any type of emotion, even those that can be difficult to cope with like anger or fear. Understanding your emotions helps us learn how to manage them, and it helps build healthy, satisfying relationships. Listen to the episode to know more! Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen singl

You can probably recall situations in your life that have made you uncomfortable. Right now, you may already be trapped in a cycle of avoidance without even knowing it. Avoidance in general are actions a person takes to escape from difficult thoughts and feelings. It may cause panic and anxiety when not managed properly. And you may find yourself restricting your life as you avoid people, events, and opportunities in an attempt to keep anxiety at bay. This can create an unhealthy and vicious cycle which intensifies over time.   In this episode I will discuss what exactly avoidance is. In order to change anything, you must first start becoming aware of when it’s occurring, so I will also share different types of avoidance coping, graded exposure therapy and other strategies for healthy emotional coping techniques plus breaking the cycle of avoidance. I hope it helps you! Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, t

In this week’s episode, I talk about emotions, managing emotions, and how they can affect our body if we avoid dealing with them. When emotional trauma occurs, there is the choice to either deal with the emotions effectively or avoid them. For many people, avoidance becomes their primary coping mechanism, because the trauma is too painful to deal with at the time. Or it may be because there isn't the capacity to deal with it at that time. Instinctively we want to avoid pain and discomfort and would very much rather avoid facing these emotions head-on. But emotional avoidance, if left unchecked over time, can extend suffering and, in the long run, may do more harm than good. What you resist, persists. In this episode, I talk about what suppressed emotions can do to our body and mind when we don't release them. Listen as I share some tips on how to identify your avoidance coping mechanisms and take steps toward making changes to help you heal. Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE

Moving forward after a crisis can be really tough. And becoming a single mum can definitely be a crisis. A crisis can also be something such as struggling with anger, loneliness, fatigue, financial worries, and a whole array of emotions that you might be going through. And when we’re dealing with a crisis, we might be carrying all the stress ourselves, carrying it on our shoulders, as we embark on this new chapter of our life. In this episode, I share a few tips that can help you move forward when crisis hits. I hope that what I discuss will help you move forward with a plan and with confidence. Know that there are many other single mums grappling with exactly the same issues, and many have come up with creative solutions and are now thriving in life. Build a support system of family and friends that you can turn to for encouragement and support. You've got this! Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips

In this week’s episode, I talk about asking for help. As single mums, we often struggle to ask for help. You might feel you want to do it all, but it can be very exhausting. Others may not have trouble asking for help. But for those of us who do, I share my thoughts on why many of us are reluctant to ask for help. I also talk about practicing discernment on who to ask and when the appropriate time to ask for help is, plus some obstacles that stand in our way when asking for help.  I hope that what I shared today helps you. If you truly are struggling, please ask for help. A lot of people love helping others, be grateful to accept the help you need and pass it forward someday.  Links mentioned in the episode:  To listen to my podcast episode on boundaries, click HERE.  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Vis

This week on the show, I have Isabelle Silbery joining me. Isabelle is a reality TV star who shined into the limelight as one of the members of ‘The Silberys’ in Gogglebox Australia. She is the youngest member of ‘The Silberys’ alongside her mother (Kerry) and grandmother (Emmie), bringing multi-generational women’s relationships and voices to TV screens every week. They have recently written a book called Out of the Box, a memoir where they share their most personal memories and lessons learned. She also writes for Body+Soul, Mamamia and Kidspot about all the things people are thinking, but not saying. Sex, motherhood, love, divorce, and relationships – nothing is off-limits. Isabelle is a social commentator, writer, and philanthropist. She is an investor in social impact projects, driven by collaborative, purpose-driven thinking that leads to connection and social change. Day to day, she is a domestic goddess and mumma to her seven-year-old son – her most important job of all. In this episode, Isabelle talk

In this week’s episode, I talk about boundaries from a single mum's perspective. This is a very difficult time for many single mums as they transition to single or co-parenting after separation. Having healthy boundaries enables you to learn to say no to situations that do not align with your values. Today I discuss some traits of someone with rigid boundaries and someone with healthy boundaries and I talk about the types of boundaries. I know it can be tough at first to put boundaries in place, especially if it is new to you, but if you do it right, boundaries will allow you to set your priorities and it will give you time to do the things that are more important, resulting in a more manageable life PLUS help your self-esteem. I hope this episode encourages you to set your boundaries and helps you gravitate toward people who respect your boundaries.  Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their

In this week’s episode, I talk about worry and how to manage it. As mums, we can all relate to feeling worried at one time or another.  We tend to have a lot of things on our plate as we juggle issues that come with separation, home, and work-life. In this episode, I talk about the different things we often worry about and I share tips on what we can do to deal with worry, and specifically five ways we can manage our worries. I also talk about the difference between rumination, anxiety, and worry.  I hope that this episode helps you turn your worries into more productive thoughts and helps you realise that you have the power over how you handle the stress that comes with being a mum.  Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the

In this week’s episode, I talk about habits and how they can be used as part of your goal-setting process. I believe that setting goals can help create the life that you want. These habits that I talk about have helped me achieve many of the goals I have set for myself, and because of that, I am able to live life more purposefully toward the life I want to live. Today I introduce ten habits that will help you align your intentions with your future vision, so you become the person you want to become. May you put all these habits into action and keep yourself on track with your eyes on the prize – becoming the best version of yourself. Links mentioned in the episode:  Listen to Episode 88 – Goal setting for single mums – HERE. Join Thrive Tribe HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email

In this week’s episode, I talk about decision-making and the questions you can ask yourself to help you reflect when you are making your decisions. Getting into the habit of asking yourself these reflection questions can help you gain clarity and creates that inner dialogue to help you examine your own thoughts and feelings before making the tough and big decisions that will need to be made when you are going through divorce or separation. Along with sharing these questions for you to ask yourself and reflect upon, in this episode I also share what to be mindful of so you can avoid self-sabotage, along with some actions that support decision-making. It is my hope that this episode helps you become more intentional about setting aside time for reflection in order to help be aware and build confidence when making big decisions. Links mentioned in the episode:  Listen to Ep 301 – Four biggest mindset mistakes that can affect your decision-making - HERE. Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book –

In this week’s episode, I talk about the four biggest mindset mistakes single mums can make when making decisions and some tips on how to avoid them. Do you recognise one or more in yourself right now?  It's something I’ve identified in many of my single mum coaching clients.  It is my hope that this episode helps you overcome these mindset mistakes, helps you explore all your options, and ultimately directs you to the best possible outcome for your situation. Links mentioned in the episode:  Join the Thrive Tribe waitlist HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too. Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.

This week’s episode is very special for two reasons – It’s my 300th episode, woohoo! This is the first time I have my partner Greg joining me on the show! In this episode, Greg and I chat about dating, new relationships, and the blending of families.  We cover: How we got back into dating after separation. Things to consider before dating again. Setting boundaries when dating. The top 3 words to describe what we’re looking for when dating. The importance of having a thorough discussion on blending two families as the relationship progresses. The challenges I encountered with making big changes in life such as moving in together. Sharing parenting responsibilities in blended families. And our top tips when it comes to dating and relationships. In this raw and natural episode, you’ll hear unfiltered parts of me and Greg just having fun talking and sharing stories and experiences with one another. I hope you can relate to the things we discuss and that it helps you gain new perspectives when it comes to dati

In this week’s episode, I discuss finding joy in your everyday life. I often get messages from other single mums out there who tell me how lucky I am that I found my happiness and that I have support from my loved ones in my single mum journey. What many people don’t understand is the importance of having the right mindset. Going through separation or divorce can really bog you down; it is a difficult time. But know that you have a choice. Your ex is not in control of what you do with your life now. Your ex is not determining your current state of mind. You are in a position to keep your chin up, find your sparkle and ride the waves as you work on improving your circumstances, or be engulfed with negative thoughts and energy. No matter what your situation. Be kind to yourself. In this episode, along with talking about the importance of having the right mindset, I also discuss the importance of forgiving yourself and practising gratitude. Finally, I share a couple of strategies that will help you develop the p

In this episode, I talk about understanding our conflict triggers. A trigger is something that gives us an immediate, intense reaction. They come from within us and are about how we react to a situation. Generally, they come from a real threat, or more commonly, a perceived threat; a FEAR (false evidence appearing real). Conflict triggers are strong emotions that can cause rifts, resentments, and conflict when handled in an unhealthy manner. But when handled in a positive way, they can become an opportunity to grow, avoid potential conflicts and strengthen relationships. It’s beneficial to know when we are being triggered, especially when we’re dealing with an ex, our kids, our work, and other areas of our lives. Today I summarise nine different triggers and a variety of different personality types that might trigger you. I hope that this episode helps you be more aware of your own feelings and encourages you to respond more instead of reacting, and lastly, to communicate clearly and be eager to find solution

In this episode, I talk about the ten steps to take when embarking on the divorce or separation journey and becoming a single mum. Navigating life as a single mum can be, at first, overwhelming. You might be feeling sad, scared, or even relieved. I know it can be scary tackling a new and uncertain future. But life can get even better and you can be fulfilled and thrive in life, even as a single mum!  If you want to hear more, check out a past episode entitled, Top Tips to Look After Yourself As a New Mum (Episode 255). I hope these tips will help you and give you courage as you embark on your single mum journey.  Links mentioned in the episode:  Listen to Episode 144 - How to find or start a local single mums group HERE. Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Gui

In this episode, I talk about what steps to take when taking the high road when going through a divorce or separation. In last week's episode, I talked about taking the high road after separation whilst dealing with heartbreak at the same time. In this episode, we go deeper into the topic of taking the high road. This is really hard to do when emotions are high, especially as you go through the stages of grief. Today I provide you with some action steps to help you take the high road so you can walk away with your integrity intact and head held high as you move forward. I hope these tips help you regardless of whether you have been a single mum for years or if you're a brand new single mum.  Links mentioned in the episode:  Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE. To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

In this episode, I talk about taking the high road after separation whilst dealing with heartbreak and going through the grief cycle at the same time. This tough phase is something I help my one-on-one clients with. I get it, emotions can become intense when communicating with your ex after separation.   There are benefits to choosing your words carefully and respecting your ex (even if they don’t deserve it). Not only does this preserve your dignity, but all communication can be used against you when you go to court.  Taking the high road is operating from a place of being at your best self and choosing to walk away from conflict; it’s focusing on what you have and what you want. It’s about looking at yourself and taking responsibility for your actions rather than playing the blame game.  If you want to hear more about this topic, check out Episode 194 and Episode 293 where I talked about heartbreak. Links mentioned in the episode:  Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.  Download the E-book – Thirtee

This week, I discuss holistic healing. Nowadays it is important to have a healthy approach to all aspects of our well-being - spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional. This is where we can make a change and a lasting improvement in our quality of life.  A holistic approach to healing is something I offer to my clients. This is also something I share with my Thrive Tribe family. Today I will share what has worked for me and the people I work with - the 8 pillars of holistic healing. I hope they help you to live a balanced life too.  Links mentioned in the episode:  Jump on the waitlist for Thrive Tribe HERE.    Download the E-book – Thirteen single mothers share their struggles, top tips, and their favourite things about being a single mother – HERE.   To contact Julia, email: julia@singlemothersurvivalguide.com.   Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide. And join the email list there too.   Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.