Episode Overview

In this short but honest Sanity Check, Aileen and Julie unpack what taking a holiday really means when you're juggling a business, parenting, and the relentless mental load of modern life. From Aileen’s seaside escape in Spain (featuring a surprise meerkat) to Julie’s chaotic family visit up north, both share how even time away doesn’t always mean switching off.

They explore the guilt, the pressure, the impossibility of true rest—and why we need to redefine what a break looks like in this phase of life.

Key Discussion Points

• Why it’s so hard to truly disconnect as a mum and business owner
• The pressure to “use” holidays productively (and the guilt when we don’t)
• How rest might look different now—an hour alone, a change of scene, a walk by the sea
• The 35,000 decisions we make daily—and how even reducing one can feel like a win
• Why redefining rest is essential for our sanity, even if it’s imperfect

Listener Takeaways

• You don’t need to earn rest—you just need to allow it.
• A holiday doesn’t have to look like a postcard to count.
• Even small, imperfect moments of letting go can be enough.
• Stop measuring the success of a break by how rested you feel.
• The mental load doesn’t clock off—but you can give yourself permission to pause.

Join the Conversation

What does a real break look like for you? We’d love to know.
DM us on Instagram or leave us a voice note with your thoughts.
And if you know someone who needs this reminder—send them this episode. 💛

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

This week, we’re diving deep into the menopausal middle—the physical, emotional, and psychological shift that happens during perimenopause. What started as a simple sanity check sparked a huge response from our listeners, so we’re going further.

We’re talking about the silent confusion, the disorienting body changes, the grief, and the unexpected loss of identity that so many of us are experiencing—but rarely speaking about. From belly fat to brain fog, muscle loss to mood shifts, and even a re-evaluation of friendships, we share what’s helped us and why we need to approach this season with gentleness, honesty, and a hell of a lot of grace.

Key Discussion Points

• Why body changes in midlife feel so destabilising
• The silent identity shift behind the weight and wardrobe stress
• The lasting impact of dieting and why strength training matters now
• The emotional toll: grief, confusion, and unexpected loss
• How shifting friendships reflect who we’re becoming
• Our go-to tips for feeling better—inside and out
• Reframing midlife as a transition, not a decline

Listener Takeaways

• You’re not alone—millions of women feel this shift
• This isn’t about willpower—it’s biology and identity
• Small changes can create real relief
• Rest and nervous system care matter as much as protein and training
• This phase may feel messy—but it’s not the end. It’s a becoming.

💬 Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear how this stage is showing up in your life. Are you feeling the shift? What’s helped you feel more yourself again?

Drop us a voice note or DM—and share this with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this Sanity Check episode, Julie and Aileen dive into the hormonal chaos that hits when perimenopause and parenting teenagers collide. It's the messy middle no one warned us about—when your body feels like it’s breaking down just as your kids are ramping up. From brain fog to teen meltdowns, they share the raw, relatable truth about trying to hold it all together when everyone under the roof is riding a hormonal rollercoaster.

🔑 Key Discussion Points:

• The double whammy of navigating perimenopause while raising hormonal teenagers.
• Feeling blindsided by brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, and exhaustion—and not knowing what hit you.
• Why no one prepared us for this brutal life stage overlap.
• How societal narratives (think cranky fairy-tale witches) reflect deep-rooted stereotypes about older women.
• The emotional strength we do gain during this season—and why it’s often overlooked.
• The importance of female friendships and honest conversations to survive this hormonal storm.
• Hope from the other side: what gets better and why it’s not all downhill from here.
• Reframing the chaos as a powerful shedding of what no longer serves us.

💬 Listener Takeaways:

• You're not alone if you're crying in the car while your teen slams the door. This stage is hard, and that doesn't mean you're failing.
• Talk about it—with friends, with us, with anyone who gets it. We need each other more than ever in this season.
• Take heart: on the other side of this storm is clarity, power, and a deep knowing of who you are.
• Be kind to yourself. You’re going through a massive transformation while holding a family together. That’s no small feat.

📣 Join the Conversation:

Have you felt this hormonal collision in your own life?
Leave us a voicemail or email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com.
We’d love to hear from you and share your thoughts in a future episode. 💛

And don’t forget to subscribe, share, and send this to a friend who needs to know she’s not the only one feeling like she’s losing it some days.

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie respond to a heartfelt listener letter asking a powerful question: Why is self-compassion so hard, even when we know it's important?

They explore how deeply ingrained beliefs—from childhood conditioning to societal pressure—can make kindness toward ourselves feel indulgent or even weak. But what if self-compassion is actually the bravest, most radical thing we can offer ourselves?

With honesty, vulnerability, and plenty of relatable moments, they break down the difference between self-compassion and self-indulgence, share personal stories of spirals, shame, and small acts of grace—and offer tangible ways to start flipping the script.

💬 Key Discussion Points

• Why self-compassion is often harder than showing compassion to others
• The voice in our heads: learning to interrupt self-criticism
• How compassion is not indulgence—but strength and support
• Real-life examples of freezing, spiralling, and finding grace
• The difference between pushing through and pausing
• Practical tools for practising self-compassion in daily life

🌱 Listener Takeaways

• Self-compassion isn’t a reward—it’s a lifeline when you're struggling
• You don’t have to earn your worth; it’s already yours
• Small shifts (like noticing your inner critic or putting a hand on your heart) can create big change
• Asking yourself “What would I say to a friend?” can help reframe harsh self-talk
• True compassion empowers us—it helps us move forward, not fall apart

📣 Join the Conversation

What’s one way you could show yourself more compassion this week?

We’d love to hear from you—send us a DM or leave a voicemail. And if this episode resonated, please subscribe, share it with a friend, and help us spread the message that you are already enough.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this Sanity Check episode, we take a closer look at the push and pull between busyness and perceived laziness. Following the response to our episode on exhaustion as a status symbol, we explore the idea of productivity—how we define it, how we tie our worth to it, and how we can start shifting the way we measure a 'good day.'

Key Discussion Points:

• The Productivity Trap: Why so many of us feel like we haven't done enough, even when we've checked everything off the list.
• Invisible Labor & Self-Worth: The challenge of feeling satisfied with productivity when the work is intangible, such as emotional caregiving or simply being present.
• Redefining Success: Shifting from valuing only tangible accomplishments to recognizing rest, connection, and well-being as equally productive.
• Breaking the Cycle: How to challenge old conditioning and give ourselves credit for the unseen but deeply valuable aspects of daily life.
• Practical Reframes: Simple mindset shifts and daily check-ins to ensure we're honoring ourselves rather than just our to-do lists.

Listener Takeaways:

• Productivity isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you feel doing it.
• Rest, connection, and presence matter as much as tangible achievements.
• It’s okay to unlearn the belief that constant busyness equals worthiness.
• Small shifts—like acknowledging your needs each day—can make a big difference.
• You are enough, even on the days where nothing gets checked off.

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear from you! What does ‘enough’ look like for you these days? Drop us a DM or leave a voicemail. And if this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it.

And if you need help to feel like you are enough, download our FREE e-book:

ENOUGH - Just As You Are - https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Thanks for being here—see you next time!

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview:

In this episode of You Keep Me Sane, Aileen and Julie dive deep into the weight of guilt—how we carry it, why we feel it, and whether it’s even the right word for what we’re experiencing. They explore how guilt is often misplaced, ingrained in us from childhood, and tied to expectations that may not even be ours. Is it actually guilt, or is it just sadness, regret, or feeling bad? And how do we begin to let it go?

Key Discussion Points:

🔹 The Difference Between Guilt and Feeling Bad – Are we actually doing something wrong, or are we just reacting emotionally to life’s complexities?
🔹 The Heavy Weight of Guilt – How guilt creeps into motherhood, relationships, work, and even daily decisions like missing a workout or canceling plans.
🔹 Guilt as a Habit, Not a Truth – The societal and cultural conditioning that teaches us to feel guilty for simply existing.
🔹 Constructive vs. Destructive Guilt – When guilt is useful (motivating repair or change) versus when it’s an unnecessary energy drain.
🔹 Practical Steps to Let Go of Guilt – How reframing, self-compassion, and open conversations can help lighten the load.

Listener Takeaways:

• Ask yourself: Have I actually done something wrong? If not, it’s not guilt—it’s just a feeling that needs acknowledgment.
• Challenge ingrained guilt—where does it come from? Cultural norms, childhood conditioning, or societal expectations?
• If guilt motivates positive change, use it. If it just weighs you down, let it go.
• Talking about guilt with someone you trust can strip it of its power.

Join the Conversation:

What role does guilt play in your life? Have you been labeling sadness or regret as guilt? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message or leave a voicemail.

And if you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Remember, you don’t need to carry guilt to prove you care—you are already enough.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

In this episode of Sanity Check, Aileen and Julie dive into a frustrating yet deeply relatable topic—the stubborn menopausal middle. They share their personal experiences of how their bodies have completely changed the rules, making it harder than ever to maintain weight or fit into the clothes they’ve always worn. While they’ve done a lot of work on body image and self-worth, the disconnect between how they feel mentally and what’s happening physically is real. Together, they unpack the emotional, practical, and identity-based challenges that come with these changes—and explore how to navigate this transition with more self-compassion and less control.

Key Discussion Points:

• When the old rules stop working – The diets, workouts, and habits that once worked suddenly have no impact.
• The emotional impact – It’s not just about weight; it’s about identity, confidence, and feeling at home in your own body.
• The unpredictability factor – Weight fluctuations, fluid retention, and how stress and cortisol play a massive role.
• Reframing the focus – Shifting from trying to control your body to prioritizing health, strength, and feeling good.
• Finding what works for you – From mindful movement and stress management to adjusting styles and embracing change.

Listener Takeaways:

• You’re not alone. If your body is changing in ways you don’t recognize, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not the only one struggling.
• Self-compassion over control. Letting go of the need to ‘fix’ your body and instead focusing on what feels good.
• Trial and error is key. What works for one person might not work for another—it's about listening to your body.
• Keep the conversation going. Body changes in midlife aren’t widely discussed, but they should be.

Join the Conversation

Have you noticed changes in your body that feel completely foreign? What’s helped you navigate this transition? We’d love to hear your experiences. DM us or leave a comment—we’re in this together.

💬 Let’s talk about it.

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.

Episode Overview

Have you ever felt like certain people expect more from you than they do from others? Maybe your family still sees you as the one who always shows up, or your friends assume you’ll always make the effort, even when life has changed. In this episode, we unpack the hidden weight of expectations—where they come from, how they get reinforced, and why it’s so difficult to shift them.

We also explore how expectations play out in different areas of life—family, friendships, work, parenting—and why resetting them is so crucial for our well-being. Whether it's learning to say no, setting boundaries, or simply letting go of the pressure to be everything for everyone, this episode will help you reflect on where expectations may be holding you back.

Key Discussion Points:

• Where expectations come from – Why certain people expect more from us than others.
• The role we’ve played in shaping expectations – Have we unknowingly reinforced them?
• Family dynamics – How old roles keep us stuck and why change is hard.
• Friendship & work expectations – How to reset them when life shifts.
• Parenting & expectations – Teaching kids about boundaries while checking our own pressures on them.
• Societal expectations on women – The pressure to be everything and how to let go of what doesn’t serve us.
• Practical ways to reset expectations – Communicating boundaries and updating the version of ourselves others see.

Listener Takeaways:

• Reflect on the expectations in your life—are they fair, and do they still serve you?
• Identify whether you’ve unknowingly reinforced expectations that no longer work for you.
• Learn to communicate shifts in your availability, priorities, or needs.
• Recognize when people are simply taking advantage and how to set firmer boundaries.
• Understand that letting go of outdated expectations isn’t about making others happy—it’s about honoring your own needs.

BetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first month

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch easily.

Links:

• Join our YKMS WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jcjq9gzY26G1f1iSV65auZ
• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/

Download our FREE e-book: ENOUGH - Just As You Are https://www.youkeepmesane.com/shop/

Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

Editor: Allia Lenit Galos

See https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy information

Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.