Ep 1: The Self-Love Deficit🧘♀️: Why Loving Yourself Last Hurts First
In this episode, we explore the self-love deficit: how emotional neglect, overgiving, and invisible wounds create exhaustion and disconnection, even in high-functioning, successful people.
If you’ve ever struggled with feeling unseen, over-responsible for others, or constantly drained, this conversation will help you find clarity, validation, and practical steps toward healing and choosing yourself again.
Episode Highlights
Key Insight #1:
Self-love deficit isn’t just about low self-esteem, it’s a survival pattern rooted in childhood conditioning. Many of us learned that love must be earned, and that caring for ourselves was selfish. Those lessons follow us into adulthood, draining our peace and joy.
Key Insight #2:
Overgiving activates the brain like addiction and it keeps us stuck. Constantly doing for others can give a dopamine “hit,” making us associate being needed with being loved. But without boundaries, it leads to burnout and resentment.
Key Insight #3:
Confidence is not the same as self-worth. You can be successful, social, and put-together on the outside and still feel empty, lonely, and invisible inside. True self-love is how safe and seen you feel with yourself, not how good you look performing for the world.
Quote Highlight
““You have to stop draining yourself just to keep others from drowning.””
Your Rise Challenge This Week:
For the next 7 days, do one small thing a day just for you.
Say no to something.
Rest before you crash.
Speak up instead of swallowing it.
Write down one thing you appreciate about yourself.
Buy yourself something small and beautiful, just because.
Tag me @TheRiseRoom or send me your story, I’d love to hear how you’re rising.
Encourage sharing: “Tag me @TheRiseRoom or send me your story, I’d love to hear how you’re rising.”
Resources Section
Thank you for stepping into The Rise Room. If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who needs it. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday morning rise.
Step in. Rise up.
References
Codependency Addiction / Self-Love Deficit Disorder Addiction. Radio interview with Suzanne Phillips