Redirection, Resilience and Growth Podcast by Wendy Golden Hey y’all, welcome back to the Rooted Resilience Podcast. I’m your host, Wendy Golden—school psychologist, board-certified coach, and founder of Willow and Oak Resilient Wellness, where we talk about the real side of healing, resilience, and building a life that actually supports your nervous system. And today… we’re going there. We’re talking about what happens when your life doesn’t look like what you thought it would. Being on social media, you see this constantly. Even just out and about, talking to people—you realize so many of us have this idea, this plan… and sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. Because let’s be honest… Sometimes it’s not just a little off. Sometimes it feels like everything shifted at once—your plans, your timeline, your expectations—and you’re sitting there thinking, “Wait… how did I get here?” I know I’ve said that a lot over the last couple of weeks—to myself and to anybody who would listen. But here’s what I want you to understand right off the cuff: When life doesn’t go as planned, your brain doesn’t stay calm and logical. It goes into protection mode. And that’s when we start spiraling. We compare our lives to everyone else. We question every decision we’ve ever made. We try to control everything because something feels out of control. And if we’re being honest… we all like to feel in control—especially when it comes to our lives. That might look different for each person, but at the end of the day, we all want some sense of control. But here’s the thing… We make all these plans, and God is like, “I hear you… but I’ve got something else.” And when life shifts, your thoughts start to sound like: • “I’m behind.” • “I should be further along.” • “I messed something up.” • “This isn’t fixable.” But here’s the truth: Your brain is trying to protect you. It’s just not always telling you the truth. And I’m going to be real with you… There have been moments recently where I’ve looked at my life and thought, “This is not what I planned.” Things shifting. Feeling uncertain. Having to pivot in ways I didn’t expect. And if you’ve ever been in that place, you know—it’s not just frustrating. It’s scary. Because it’s not just about what’s happening… It’s about what it means. ________________________________________ But this is where we have to pause. And shift how we’re seeing it. Because what feels like everything falling apart is often everything being redirected. You’re not behind. You’re in a transition. This is not failure. This is movement. And you’re not starting over… You’re starting wiser. Because hopefully, as you grow and go through different experiences, you’re learning. You’re taking something with you. And sometimes… The life you planned has to fall apart so the life you’re actually meant for has space to come together. Woo… that was good. Let me say that one more time: The life you planned has to fall apart so the life you’re actually meant for has space to come together. ________________________________________ And I truly believe this… When you’ve prayed, “God, lead me. Put me on your path. Use me where you want me to be…” Sometimes He has to remove things. He removes blockers. He removes barriers. He removes distractions. So you can get to where He’s actually trying to take you. And I’ll be really honest… Right now feels uncertain for me. It’s scary. It’s uncomfortable. But I’m in a completely different place than I used to be. Because if this had happened a year and a half ago? I probably would’ve been overwhelmed, anxious, maybe even physically sick… stuck in my thoughts. But now? Through my relationship with Jesus, I truly believe this: He is not going to close one door without opening another one. And a lot of times… It’s better than the one you just walked out of. I’ve seen it in my life before. Times where things didn’t go the way I planned—and what God did instead was better than anything I could’ve imagined. So that’s where I am right now. Now, do I still have moments where my mind tries to go negative? Absolutely. But I’m not listening to that. ________________________________________ So let’s talk about what you actually do in this space. Because I don’t just want to motivate you— I want to ground you. ________________________________________ 1. Regulate before you react When your nervous system is overwhelmed, everything feels worse than it is. Before you make big decisions… Before you spiral… Before you assume the worst… Pause. Breathe. Box breathing works: Inhale for 4 Hold for 4 Exhale for 6 It tells your body—you are safe. And it helps move you out of survival mode and back into a regulated state. ________________________________________ 2. Stop consuming everyone else’s life Comparison is the thief of joy. It will have you thinking you’re failing when you’re just in a different chapter. Even if you and someone else started at the same place… You’re not on the same path. You don’t need more noise. You need clarity. ________________________________________ 3. Focus on what you can control You may not control the full picture right now. But you can control your next step. And that’s where your power is. One grounded decision at a time. ________________________________________ Let’s recap that quickly: Regulate before you react. Stop consuming everyone else’s life. Focus on what you can control. And I’ll say this— Most impulsive decisions made out of fear? You’ll regret them. Pause. Pray. Sleep on it. Then move. ________________________________________ And if you’re in a season right now where things feel off, overwhelming, or uncertain… This is exactly why I created the tools inside Willow and Oak. Because healing isn’t just about mindset— It’s about your environment, your habits, your nervous system, and your daily rhythms. The Rooted Journal helps you process what you’re feeling instead of carrying it. And I’ll be honest—I don’t love the word “journal” either. I’ve never been a traditional journaler. But I’ve always written things down, tracked life, reflected—and that’s what this is. It’s a 90-day guided reset to help you reconnect with yourself, make intentional decisions, and actually take action. It’s not just writing—it’s doing. ________________________________________ The Detox Guide is not just about food. Yes, I talk about nutrition—but it’s about detoxing your environment, your home, and your lifestyle in a way that supports your mental health. ________________________________________ And the 20-Day Reset—starting April 1st— That’s where we walk this out step-by-step. So you’re not just listening… You’re actually changing your life. ________________________________________ You can find everything: 👉 www.willowandoakresilientwellness.com 👉 Or in the link in bio on all social platforms ________________________________________ And I want to leave you with this: If no one has told you this lately… You are not behind. You are being rebuilt. And there is purpose in this season—even if you can’t fully see it yet. Stay wild, stay well… And stay rooted.
