A Well Cared For Human: self-love strategies for transforming your pain into power

What’s Keeping You Overwhelmed, Overworked, and Undervalued

Author James Clear said, “"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The only problem is that most systems that dictate our lives are not built by us, let alone for us.
In this episode, host Kory discusses how systemic structures impact our relationship with ourselves and our ability to nurture the four pillars of wellness: body, mind and emotions, spirit, and connection. Kory explains how societal expectations, particularly within American culture, often undermine our self-care efforts. From productivity pressures affecting our physical health to consumerism influencing our mental and emotional state, Kory details how these systems manipulate our well-being. Despite systemic challenges, Kory emphasizes the importance of investing in self-care and cautions against self-blame. Learn more about Kory and her work at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Gratitude When Life Is Hard: 3 Practices to Be Thankful for Yourself

Gratitude can feel impossible when life feels chaotic, uncertain, or overwhelming — and yet this is when we need it most.
In this episode, we explore why gratitude often feels out of reach during stressful seasons, and why shifting your practice inward (toward gratitude for yourself) is one of the most powerful healing tools available.
I share three simple, grounding practices that help you:
Build internal stability when the world feels unpredictable
Strengthen resilience and emotional safety
Reconnect to your worth, enoughness, and inner strength
Experience gratitude as empowerment — not performance
This episode is a gentle invitation to honor where you are, celebrate who you are, and remember that gratitude begins with you.
Note: This podcast shares ideas for personal development, reflection, and healing. It is not a substitute for professional mental-health support.

Shifting Fear Through Self-Belief and Curiosity

Remember how fun it was to be scared as a kid? Haunted houses, scary stories, and Halloween thrills made fear feel playful — even exciting. But as adults, fear often feels heavier: anxiety, doubt, and self-criticism replace curiosity and courage.
In this Halloween-inspired episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum shares two powerful tools for transforming fear: self-belief and curiosity. You’ll learn how to reframe fear as an opportunity for growth instead of paralysis, and how to bring back the light-hearted bravery we once had as children.
Plus, Kory introduces her newest release, Final Cut — a chilling new collection of Halloween ghost stories — and other spooky reads to keep you company this season.
Tune in to reconnect with your courage, rekindle your curiosity, and remember that fear doesn’t have to control you. Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Are You Addicted? If You’re at Risk, Here’s What You Can Do About It

Addiction can take many forms: substances, screens, shopping, work, or even relationships. In episode 141 of A Well Cared For Human, your host Kory opens up about her personal journey of overcoming several addictions over the years and share the five practices that helped her break the cycle.
You’ll learn:
What addiction really looks like (and how to spot it in your own life)
The mindset shifts that make recovery possible
Five simple, compassionate steps to start healing
How to rebuild trust with yourself along the way
This episode was made with love and lived experience, but it is not a substitute for professional help. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a qualified mental health or addiction professional. 💙

5 Ways to Use Play for Better Mental Health

Most adults forget to make time for play — but play is one of the most powerful (and free!) mental health tools we have. In this episode, Kory explains why play matters, how it reduces stress and sparks creativity, and five simple ways to add more play into your daily life.
If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or craving more joy, this episode will give you lighthearted, practical tools to reset your mind and reconnect with what makes you feel alive.
💛 Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com💙Join Kory LIVE for a Virtual Play Date on YouTube: Thursday, Sept 25 at 8PM ET

Why Birthdays Feel So Emotional (and what happened to me this year)

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

Do you think TOO much?

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

How to Shine: be fully, authentically YOU

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

You're Not Broken - Just Disconnected (This will help)

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

Meditation isn't the only way

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/korymarieDownload 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