The Story

In this episode of 'Becoming No Ordinary Woman', Joanna delves into the quiet moments that test our courage, particularly in the face of criticism and self-doubt. She shares a personal story about receiving a one-star review for her podcast, which triggers a deep exploration of her past experiences and the shame associated with them. Joanna emphasises the importance of feeling emotions, understanding the stories we tell ourselves, and developing strategies to overcome fear and criticism. She encourages listeners to embrace their flaws and reclaim their power, reminding them that true freedom comes from facing their fears head-on

Takeaways

·       The quiet moments of courage often test us the most.

·       Criticism can trigger deep-seated feelings of shame and inadequacy.

·       Past experiences can significantly influence our present behaviour.

·       Visibility in our endeavours comes with risks and rewards.

·       Emotions are meant to be felt and processed, not buried.

·       Understanding our inner critic is crucial for personal growth.

·       Reframing negative experiences can help us move forward.

·       Returning to our 'why' can provide clarity and motivation.

·       Courage is a muscle that strengthens with use.

·       Facing our fears is essential for reclaiming our power.

The Strategy

1-     Feel it – Don’t bypass how you feel. Let yourself feel the sting. 

2-     Name it – What story got activated? Is it “I’m not good enough”? “This means I’ve failed”? This is where it is powerful to listen into to what your inner critic is inevitably telling you.

3-     Reframe it – Ask: Is this really about me? Or am I allowing myself to be kept small by someone else’s thoughts, opinions and insecurities.

4-     Return to your why – Anchor back in. In these crunch moments, it is time to remember why you are doing the thing anyway. Why did you start? Who are you doing this for? 

5-     Keep Going Anyway – Courage is a muscle. Every time you show up, you strengthen your resilience. 

The Soul

Here are your journal prompts for this episode:

·       What story do I tell myself when I feel judged or criticised?

·       What would I do if I truly believed I was here to live an extraordinary life and not people please?

·       Who loses out when I stay small to avoid discomfort?

Universal Guidance – The Devil Card

“In the darkness I am free to heal everything.”

This card doesn’t represent evil, it represents the illusions that keep us stuck. The fears, shame, limiting beliefs, and unconscious patterns that quietly run the show in the background. It calls out the ways we give our power away to judgment, to old stories, to unspoken shame, and invites us to reclaim it.

The Devil shines a light on our inner prisons. This card is a reminder that freedom doesn’t come from avoiding the darkness, it comes from facing it. Looking it in the eye and saying: “You don’t get to run my life anymore.”

So if you’re carrying a fear that’s been keeping you quiet, keeping you small, let this card be your invitation to sit with it. Not to judge it. But to see it. To feel it. And to choose differently.

You don’t need to fight your shadows, you just need to walk through them with the light of awareness.

Take what resonates. Leave what doesn’t.

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📸 Instagram: @becomingnoordinarywoman


🌍 Website: www.joannapetrierout.com


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Thank you for listening — and for choosing to become No Ordinary Woman.

See you next week.