Unbecoming Ourselves (with Heather Schenck)
In this episode, I talk to Heather Schenck about her book, *Unbecoming Ourselves*, which explores the journey of transitioning from harmful self-perceptions to a more accurate and less judgmental self-assessment. We discuss how clinging to labels, like "good mom" or "nurse," creates suffering by binding us to expectations, and how this striving for external validation often stems from a deep-seated feeling of not being enough. Key takeaways include the idea that both positive and negative labels can be chains, the importance of questioning our ingrained tendency to categorize ourselves and others, and the realization that perfectionism is a trap that hinders growth. Heather shares practical advice on how to begin "unbecoming" by zooming out to gain perspective, watering seeds of compassion, and approaching self-improvement with curiosity rather than the pressure of perfection. This episode offers a secular approach to understanding the self, emphasizing that personal growth is a continuous process, not a destination, and encouraging self-compassion as a more effective motivator than shame.
