About Our Guest
Lauren Jones is a 21-year-old university student based in Melbourne majoring in Geography. Having been through her own struggles, she is greatly passionate about helping others, building communities, and learning more about the wonders of the Earth. Lauren spends her spare time trying to live as fantastically as possible.
Finding Your Way Back to Yourself After Shame
In this conversation, 21-year-old Lauren Jones shares her journey from shame and isolation to self-compassion and strength. At 17, a devastating betrayal by her best friend triggered years of self-loathing, anxiety, and depression. But her story isn’t just about surviving those years. It’s about discovering what lies on the other side.
Lauren reveals how shame lived in her body as a physical weight, intensified by the instruction to keep silent. Through a week alone in a caravan by the ocean, a nine-day leadership camp where she finally spoke her truth, and the transformative practice of writing compassionate notes to herself, Lauren slowly rebuilt her sense of self-worth.
She explores how finding the right support, cultivating an inner voice of kindness, and giving herself permission to feel joy through swing dancing ultimately released the shame she’d carried for years.
This is a story about what happens when we dare to break the silence, discover we’re not alone, and learn to show up for ourselves with grace. It’s about trusting that healing is possible, even when the path is messy and non-linear.
Lauren’s Tips
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding happiness or relief. Be compassionate to yourself when strategies and tips don’t work. It’s personal, and often the things that help the most are small and gradual.
Finding the right psychologist can take many goes. Don’t feel like it’s your fault if what they’re saying doesn’t click for you - keep going until you find the right one.
Finding an activity that gives you genuine, unfiltered joy (like dancing for me), can give you more energy and zest than rest ever will. Prioritise that spark of happiness as much as you can.
Lauren’s References
Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection
Scroll up to listen to this episode on Substack.
You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and Audible.
Time Stamps
00:00 The Life-Altering Conversation
02:44 Journey Through Self-Doubt and Anxiety
04:38 Finding Self-Worth and Acceptance
06:49 The Spiritual Awakening at Inverloch
09:08 Breaking Through Guilt and Shame
11:13 The Power of Community and Connection
17:07 Realisations at the Leadership Conference
19:20 Sharing My Story: The Importance of Vulnerability
21:24 Releasing Shame and Embracing Joy
26:00 The Transformative Power of Dance
29:30 Permission to Feel Joy
30:42 Embracing Grace and Self-Compassion
34:35 Finding Inner Strength
35:58 Key Moments of Growth
38:58 Looking Forward: Embracing the Future
43:12 Sharing Wisdom and Compassion
45:46 It’s A Wrap
If anything in this episode resonated with you and if you feel like you could use a little extra support, please consider reaching out to trusted local support services in your area. You don’t have to go through it alone.
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