Stop Waiting for Others to Regulate You: The Power of Internal Regulation

EP:206 Hey Thrive Community! 💛

This is a conversation that has **personally changed the way I live, parent, and show up in my relationships.**

For a long time, I was constantly looking outside of myself for regulation. I wanted other people to notice when I was overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, or needed support. I expected my partner to know what I needed without me asking. I expected my kids to understand when I was at my limit.

And when they didn't?

I felt frustrated, resentful, and completely depleted.

But eventually, I realized something incredibly important:

**I was waiting for everyone else to give me permission to take care of myself.**

That's where the difference between **external regulation and internal regulation** became such a game-changer for me.

In this episode of **Thrive Like a Parent**, I'm getting real about my own journey and what it looked like to stop depending on external validation and start developing a deeper relationship with myself and my nervous system.

We'll talk about:

🧠 **External vs. internal regulation** and what the difference really means💛 Why we sometimes expect our partners and children to recognize our needs for us🌿 How to check in with yourself before looking outside yourself for answers🗣️ Why communicating your needs is so much more powerful than expecting others to read your mind✨ How self-awareness and self-compassion support nervous system regulation💪 How to become your own biggest supporter instead of constantly seeking permission or validation

And I want to challenge you to try something with me.