Choosing to Heal with Monica Leigh

Ever since I started sharing more about my co-parenting journey with my ex-husband online, lots of comments and assumptions have been shared, both good and bad, but mostly bad. It blew people’s minds how I’m able to sit down at the same dinner table and still have an amicable relationship with him, then we shouldn’t have gotten a divorce. “You couldn't put your egos aside when you were marrie...

If you have been in therapy for years but you feel stuck, this episode is for you. Have you heard the term “the body keeps score”? That is because trauma gets stored in our bodies, which is why it’s so important to incorporate a somatic approach to healing. You may understand WHY you are stuck cognitively, but you won’t experience true healing until you release the trauma somatically. In this epis...

Here’s the thing: you’re not a horrible person for unconsciously sabotaging your relationship. Your unhealthy habits have nothing to do with who you are as a person but it says everything about your past and what you’ve been through. So in today’s episode, let’s take a hard look at the ways you may be self-sabotaging your relationship and the reasons why you may be doing this. Once you gain a deep...

It’s almost the start of a brand new year, and if you're like the rest of the world, you're probably starting to think about New Year's resolutions or things you want to do differently for 2024. So in today's episode, I’ll walk you through the exercises we’re doing inside the Choosing to Heal Community and Book Club to say goodbye to 2023 and prep for 2024 with intention so we...

This time of year, you’ll see a lot of highlight reels. But let’s be real… a year doesn’t consist of ONLY GOOD. Consider this your dose of what a REALISTIC year can look like, balancing both the good and the hard! Choosing to heal is not a linear path and this year was no exception. In this episode, I share my most impactful experiences from 2023: both highlights and lowlights. In this episode: 02...

Should you do the work and heal unhealthy relationship patterns BEFORE entering a relationship OR can your partner help you heal?  In this episode, I am debunking three common myths about healing in relationships because believing them can hold you back or make you think that your relationship is doomed when it's simply not the case.  I'll be getting vulnerable and sharing some personal...

One of my biggest fears about dating post-divorce was getting into a new relationship only to repeat the same patterns, leading to yet another failed relationship. So is it true that if you move on too soon, you’re unhealthy and your new relationship is doomed to fail? Is staying single the only way to do the work and heal those relationship wounds? In this new episode, I’m sharing my opinion on d...

Splitting time during the holidays, being alone, having your kids away…these are the things most divorced people expect to grieve over post-divorce. But what I didn’t expect to hit me like a ton of bricks was all these much more subtle and nuanced things that I didn’t even think could affect me but they did. It's difficult to not have expectations on how the holiday is going to go when year a...

What sticks out to me so far in my life is how different I feel right now in my 30s compared to when I was in my 20s.  I’ve heard people around me say, “30s are your new 20s” and I feel like it could go one of two ways. First, is that people can view getting older as the worst thing that can happen to them. The second is viewing it as an opportunity to discover new versions of themselves. I’m defi...

When it comes to selecting a book to read, the process can often be overwhelming and intimidating, particularly if you are relatively new to the world of reading and haven't had the chance to explore it extensively. That's why I reached out to Nick Hutchinson, founder of Book Thinkers, a renowned platform dedicated to promoting the love of reading and personal development. I sought his e...

The holiday season can be a stressful time for many, filled with endless obligations and expectations. It can be a difficult season where old traumas and dealing with difficult family members make it really hard to navigate. Not to mention all of the work that goes into events, decorating, meal cooking, basically all of the things. In this episode, I’m sharing practical tips so you can STRESS LESS...

Relationships are all about vulnerability and intimacy, but let's be real, it's not always easy to open up and be truly intimate with your partner. I recently went on a vacation to Jamaica with my partner, Joshua, and it made me realize just how important it is to understand the dynamics of connection and intimacy during trips like these.  In this podcast episode, I want to share with yo...

Many of us find ourselves constantly striving to get things done, to be ahead, and to check off everything on our to-do lists. It’s easy to believe that by accomplishing all your tasks, you will finally feel less stressed and more at ease. However, this mindset often leads to a never-ending cycle of anxiety and guilt when you inevitably fall behind.  In this latest podcast episode, let’s explore t...

Do you ever feel like you're constantly chasing perfection?  Waiting for the right moment to take action or comparing yourself to others who seem to have it all together?  It's a frustrating cycle that many of us can relate to.  In this episode of the Choosing to Heal Podcast, I dive into the downsides of perfectionism and discover how embracing imperfection can bring about personal and...

In today's fast-paced and often disconnected world, it can feel like you’re just floating around, trying to figure things out on your own. But let me tell you, finding a community that's got your back can be a total game-changer. That's where the Choosing to Heal community comes in. It's an inclusive space that understands the power of having people around you who get it – who...

We've all been there: one triggered thought, leads to negative thinking, and before you know it: You make a mistake at work and start thinking that you're a failure. You have a disagreement with your partner and start thinking that they don't love you anymore. You see a social media post about someone else's success and start thinking that you're not good enough. We all kn...

Are you someone who always puts everyone else’s wants and needs before your own? Do you find yourself constantly saying "yes" to things you don't want to do, just to avoid guilt? Are you constantly stressed when you think someone is upset with you? If so, you may be a people-pleaser. People-pleasing is a common behavior where we try to make others happy at the expense of our own nee...

Do you ever find yourself in the same argument with your partner over and over again? Or perhaps there’s distance that has slowly developed over time and you can’t quite put your finger on why. In this episode of the Choosing to Heal podcast, I talk with Brett Nikula, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Life Coach & Founder of Pivotal Approach Counseling & Coaching. We dive into th...

So, you want to start an online brand but there’s just one problem… you’re not an influencer! You don’t have hundreds of thousands of followers so why bother, right? Wrong! In this episode, I’m going to tell you why that’s actually a good thing you can use to your advantage! Press play to hear tips and strategies I have used over the past eight years so you can grow your social media following and...

In this episode, I invite my partner Joshua on the podcast to talk about overcoming fear of the unknown & letting go of control.  When we were doing long-distance in different states, it was tough. We were in a season of limbo for a very long time, not knowing if we’d ever be able to have our forever. But we still chose each other, regardless of the risk of it never working out.  We’ll be shar...

Have you ever received negative comments or criticism that left you feeling upset and triggered? Maybe it's a comment on social media or a critical remark from a loved one. Whatever the source, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of peace and calm when faced with negativity and criticism. But it is possible to overcome these triggers and find inner peace. In this episode, I shared my ex...

It's back to school season, which means schedules are getting busier and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, we'll cover some tips for creating and maintaining work-life balance during this time of year. In this episode: How to time block & plan during busy back to school season How I use a Google calendar to plan, coordinate and stay on schedule How to use the Pomod...

After sharing that that I made a huge decision to divorce, I’ve been getting an increase of questions and curiosity about all of the details surrounding it. How did I arrive at my decision to divorce? How did you find the courage to actually do it? How did I know I was ready to date again? How did I meet my this new guy? What does life look like now? Well, it’s your lucky day, because I’m answerin...

My son Jasper turns 7 on July 23, and it's hard to believe that I've been a mother for 7 years! Time flies by, and as cliché as it may sound, it's undeniably true. However, there's something that seems to weave its way into the lives of every mother: mom guilt. In today's episode, I'm going to share with you seven regrets I have as a mother, some of which I've ne...

Can people change? In this episode, I'm going to be sharing my thoughts and my answer might surprise you.  In this episode: Questions to consider if you want someone to change WHY we want them to change to begin with What happens when you try to change someone What motivates people to change How you may have ended up in a relationship with unmet needs The importance of shared core values in r...