Bed Rotting and feeling stuck in your bed—unable to face the world, mentally, emotionally, or physically?

This episode of Real Over Ideal is your literal step-by-step guide & antidote for bed rotting days -- when your brain says “nope.”

Whether you're in trauma freeze mode, frozen by depression, burnout, or overwhelm, you’ll hear a soothing, practical walk-through for how to move just one step at a time. You’re not broken, and you’re not alone. Start here.

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, your host Vanessa Gorelkin, discusses the challenges of getting out of bed, particularly when feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

She provides a compassionate understanding of the nervous system's role in these feelings and offers practical, step-by-step guidance to help listeners move from a state of inertia to action. The episode emphasizes self-acceptance and the importance of taking small steps towards recovery and daily living skills.

Takeaways

Daily living skills can be overwhelming for many people.
It's okay to feel stuck; you're not alone in this.
Understanding your nervous system can help reduce shame.
Getting out of bed can be a significant accomplishment when you've been stuck and caught up in bed rotting.
Small, practical steps can lead to bigger changes.
You can listen to this episode at your own pace.
There is no wrong way to use this material.
Self-compassion is key when feeling stuck.
Movement can help shift your emotional state.
You are allowed to take things one step at a time.

Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist with 30 years of experience. She is in private telehealth practice-- providing therapy and coaching services nationally and internationally.

To get in touch -- email us at realoveridealpod@gmail.com

Content warning: Episode addresses self-harm.

Summary

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, Vanessa Gorelkin delves into the complex topic of self-harm, exploring its various forms beyond the commonly recognized behaviors.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for self-harming behaviors and introduces tools to help interrupt the cycle of shame and distress. The conversation highlights the need for compassion and professional support while providing resources for those in need.

Takeaways

Self-harm encompasses more than just physical acts.
It can manifest in subtle ways, even in those who seem fine.
Understanding the purpose behind self-harm is crucial for healing.
Self-harm often serves as a coping mechanism for emotional pain.
Common forms of self-harm include emotional sabotage and overworking.
Tools like using a red Sharpie can help manage impulses.
Recognizing patterns in self-harming behaviors is the first step to change.
Compassion towards oneself is essential in the healing process.
Professional help is recommended for those struggling with self-harm.
Resources are available for immediate support and guidance.

Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist with 30 years of experience. She is in private telehealth practice-- providing therapy and coaching services nationally and internationally.

To get in touch: call or text the podcast hotline-- 602-753-7020 or you can email at realoveridealpod@gmail.com

In this episode of Real Over Ideal, host Vanessa Gorelkin discusses the theme of bad decisions, coping, healing after mistakes and resilience. And she tells her all time favorite story about resilience after terrible trauma -- if you know her in real life, you probably have heard this story.

Vanessa tells about a career choice that turned out to be detrimental but ultimately led to valuable lessons and personal growth. (That's a nice way of saying the job was a nightmare because the boss was a toxic abusive micromanager, all her own opinions- obviously.)

The conversation explores the nature of resilience, emphasizing that it is not about avoiding failure but about how we recover and learn from our experiences.

Vanessa also addresses questions about regret and the importance of self-compassion for healing in the face of mistakes, highlighting that resilience includes rest and self-care.

Thank you for listening- it's been amazing to see how far and wide our listeners are from.

*****Please leave us a 5 star review and let us know where on Earth you're hearing the show- this helps us continue to find our audience & keep this podcast going.*****

Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist with 30 years of experience. She is in private telehealth practice-- providing therapy and coaching services nationally and internationally.

To get in touch: call or text the podcast hotline-- 602-753-7020 or you can email at realoveridealpod@gmail.com