What if “feeling good” didn’t mean chasing happiness — but simply feeling at all? In this episode, we’re redefining what it means to feel good by making space for the full emotional spectrum — including grief, seasonal depression, numbness, anger, and those quiet in-between states we don’t always know how to name. Mary unpacks how toxic positivity, people pleasing, and emotional performance disconnect us from our truth — and how to gently return to presence, even when things don’t feel sparkly. You’ll hear: Why presence matters more than pleasure How grief and joy can coexist The Sandwich Metaphor (aka why faking joy backfires) How to stop sorting your feelings into “good” and “bad” The F.E.E.L. Process — a simple framework to help you navigate your emotions with honesty and care Positive Pulse (free resources) - https://Uncustomary.org/Positive-Pulse Merriment Vault (self-love library) - https://Uncustomary.org/Merriment-Makers