We're kicking off Season 9 and peeling back the layers of self-love beyond the social media-worthy indulgence and pampering. Throughout my coaching practice, I've noticed a common thread weaving through clients' distress - the reluctance to acknowledge their basic needs. In this first episode of our self-love season, we explore why having needs doesn't make you needy.In this episode:Why many of us struggle to identify and meet our own needs How natural self-prioritization gets conditioned out of us The plant metaphor: why we wouldn't judge plants for needing specific conditions A simple experiment to identify your personal requirements for thrivingWe've been socialized to believe having needs equals being needy - so we've learned to operate without them. But this suspension of disbelief has distressing side effects: shame, guilt, resentment, and burnout that erode our best intentions.When we look to the natural world, we see that all living things have specific requirements to flourish. We would never withhold essentials from plants and animals and expect them to thrive. We were born understanding this - no infant comes into the world without self-advocacy. But somewhere along the way, through upbringing and social conditioning, we collected experiences that changed our beliefs.Join me in this exploration of reclaiming the wisdom of your own nature and learning to honor what you need to truly flourish.Ready to transform your relationship with self-love? Learn about the path from burnout to clarity designed specifically for professionals navigating sustainable success at mybreathingmind.com.My Breathing Mind Podcast is created for professionals navigating stress, burnout, and the journey back to peace and purpose. All episodes are written and produced by Ruth Kao Barr, burnout specialist, leadership & wellbeing coach.