Birthdays are supposed to feel joyful, but for many of us, they bring something else: anxiety, self-doubt, or a quiet sadness we can’t quite name.

In this personal and honest episode, I share what my most recent birthday revealed about aging, self-worth, and the passage of time, and how I want to move into the year ahead with more clarity, joy, and compassion.

Whether birthdays fill you with excitement or dread, this conversation will help you see them differently: not as proof of what’s slipping away, but as an invitation to live more fully, right now.

Aging doesn’t have to mean fear, regret, or invisibility. It can mean stepping into wisdom, freedom, and deeper self-love. Your next birthday isn’t a deadline. It' s a doorway into who you’re becoming. Learn more self-empowerment strategies at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Overthinking isn’t who you are—it’s a habit you learned to survive. In this episode, we explore how overthinking and over-intellectualizing often start as self-protection after trauma, but later keep us stuck. Learn why your mind races, how to spot when it’s holding you back, and gentle ways to quiet your thoughts so you can trust yourself and start thriving. Get more resources at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

#overthinking #traumahealing #mindfulness #selfgrowth

Do you ever feel like you’re hiding who you really are? In this episode, we explore why you may fear being seen, how shame makes us play small, and what it takes to finally shine with confidence.

Whether it’s childhood conditioning, imposter syndrome, or just not wanting to “take up too much space,” these fears are real—and they keep so many of us from showing up fully. But the truth is: you’re not too much. You were meant to shine.

You’ll learn:

• What’s really holding you back from being visible

• How fear of judgment or rejection shapes your self-image

• Why “playing small” feels safe—but costs you joy

• How to build the confidence to take up space and speak your truth

This is your permission slip to be bold, to be seen, and to stop shrinking in order to belong. You are worthy. You are powerful. And it’s time to stop hiding.

🌿 Explore more tools for healing + growth: www.awellcaredforhuman.com

EP 136: Journaling for Self-Healing — How Writing Can Help You Reconnect with Yourself

In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, we explore how journaling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship with yourself. Whether you feel disconnected, lost, or unsure of who you are, journaling offers a path back to clarity, self-trust, and inner peace.

✨ Why journaling works for emotional healing ✨ The difference between “just writing” and deep self-inquiry ✨ Prompts to help you explore who you are and what you need ✨ How to use journaling to break patterns and build self-trust

If you’ve ever felt like you’re a stranger to yourself—or if you want to deepen your self-awareness—this episode will show you how to use your journal as a safe space for growth and healing.

Self-healing starts with self-understanding. 💛

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on mental health, healing, and personal growth 📩 Grab your free self-care guide: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6 🌿 More from Kory: https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/ 📸 Instagram: @koryshrum

In this episode, we dive into one of the most common misconceptions about meditation: the belief that it's the only way to be mindful or grow in awareness.

Topics covered: - What mindfulness really means - Why meditation isn’t the end goal - Practical ways to build awareness in daily life - How to stop feeling like you're "doing it wrong"

Meditation is powerful—but it's not the only tool for transformation.

If you're looking for healing, change, or greater peace, this episode will help you understand how awareness works and how to practice it in a way that fits your life. Mindfulness isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.

✨ Subscribe for more episodes on self-care, healing, and personal growth.

👍 Share this episode it with someone who needs it. 💬 Watch the video version on YouTube and comment your current struggles with meditation / mindfulness / awareness and I'll offer more tips if I can! #meditation #mindfulness #healingjourney #awareness #selfcare #awellcaredforhuman #mentalhealth 🛑 Disclaimer: Kory M. Shrum is not a healthcare professional. This podcast is not a replacement for professional treatment or medication. The show and its episodes were created for the purposes of relaxation, inspiration, and entertainment only. If you have any health conditions, please consult a healthcare provider. Learn more about Kory and her work at: 🌿 https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/ Support this creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/korymarie Download your free wellness blueprint (an ebook full of self-care strategies): https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6 Don't forget your freebies (fiction and poetry): https://www.korymshrum.com/free-starter-library

Follow Kory on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koryshrum/ Follow Kory on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/korymarie

Starting over—whether by choice or circumstance—can be terrifying. Maybe you've lost something. Maybe you’ve walked away from a life that no longer fit. Or maybe everything crashed, and now you're standing in the rubble, asking: Where do I even begin?

In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory shares 5 grounded, powerful tips for starting over with grace. You’ll learn how to let go of what’s behind you, build supportive habits, stay patient with the process, and clarify what you truly want next—not what others expect. If you're ready for a fresh start, this episode will help you take your first brave step forward.

💚 Please like, comment, and subscribe to the show. Thank you! 💚

Have a question? Ask Kory! 📧 Email: https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/

💸 Support this creator on Patreon: 🌿 https://www.patreon.com/korymarie

📘 Download your free wellness blueprint (an ebook full of self-care strategies): 🌿 https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6

🎁 Freebies (fiction and poetry): 🌿 https://www.korymshrum.com/free-start...

📸 Follow on Instagram: 🌿 https://www.instagram.com/koryshrum/

Grief isn’t just something we "get over." It's something we learn to live with—and work with. Whether you’re mourning a person, a relationship, a dream, or a former version of yourself, grief can feel overwhelming and isolating.

In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory offers 5 compassionate, practical tips to help you work with your grief—not against it. Discover how to soften your suffering, find meaning in loss, and reconnect with your own resilience. You don’t have to carry your pain alone.

💚 Please like, comment, and subscribe to the show. Thank you! 💚

Have a question? Ask Kory! 📧 Email: https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/

💸 Support this creator on Patreon: 🌿 https://www.patreon.com/korymarie

📘 Download your free wellness blueprint (an ebook full of self-care strategies): 🌿 https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6

🎁 Freebies (fiction and poetry): 🌿 https://www.korymshrum.com/free-start...

📸 Follow on Instagram: 🌿 https://www.instagram.com/koryshrum/

Ep. 132 – Rumination: What It Is, Why We Do It, and How to Stop

Do you find yourself constantly replaying the past or obsessing over worst-case scenarios? You're not alone. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum breaks down the toxic cycle of rumination—what it is, why it happens, and how it quietly steals your peace and power.

Learn why your brain gets stuck in repetitive thoughts, how rumination differs from reflection, and the practical tools you can use today to get unstuck, feel more present, and reclaim your mental energy.

✨ If you're ready to stop overthinking and start living, this episode is for you.

New here? This podcast is your gentle guide to healing, self-awareness, and mental wellness from bestselling author and trauma survivor Kory M. Shrum.

🔔 Follow the show for weekly episodes on emotional resilience, personal growth, and self-care. Looking for your freebies?

Learn more about Kory and her work at: 🌿 https://www.awellcaredforhuman.com/

Support this creator on Patreon: 🌿 www.patreon.com/korymarie

Download your free wellness blueprint (an ebook full of self-care strategies): 🌿 https://dl.bookfunnel.com/lbbppff7v6

Freebies (fiction and poetry): 🌿 https://www.korymshrum.com/free-starter-library

Follow on Instagram: 🌿 https://instagram.com/koryshrum

Thank you for listening! 💚

Show Description

After completing her show Who Killed My Mother? a true crime podcast, Kory received countless emails from all over the world asking:

"How did you heal from everything that happened? How did you move away from all the abuse, trauma, and mental illness to become the (mostly) happy, (mostly) healthy, and (mostly) successful person you are today? How can I be happier, healthier, and more at peace with myself and my life?"

This wellness podcast explores the answers to those questions.

Disclaimer: Kory M. Shrum is not a healthcare professional. This podcast is not a replacement for professional treatment or medication. The show and its episodes were created for the purposes of relaxation, inspiration, and entertainment only. If you have any health conditions, please consult a healthcare provider.