The Page About the First Time I Put Myself First, Really

You know what? Having doubts is okay. Being emotional is okay. Feeling stuck is okay.

Because after a moment of doubt, a moment of confidence will come. After you let your emotions out, you will feel better. After you get stuck, you will always get unstuck.

Always.

In this episode, I share the story of my doubt-and-overthinking-filled struggles to make my brand, program, offers, and website reflect the new direction I’m taking in my business.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [00:42] The two cases that make me feel stuck, helpless, and hopeless
• [02:49] Struggling to clearly express my vision, mission, and values
• [04:34] Step 1: Trying to do it myself, feeling stuck, getting help from a brand strategist
• [06:00] Step 2: Tweaking my offers, getting stuck again, getting support from a sales strategist
• [07:25] Step 3: Sitting down to write the website copy, feeling stuck, helpless and hopeless
• [09:13] A fresh perspective and a good night of sleep
• [12:02] Getting unstuck and feeling inspired to write 

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

The Page About the Sunken Kayak and Family Adventures

The Page About the Mustang Convertible, Parking Brake, and Feeling Badass

How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead

Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

I’m sure you’ve heard this saying before: “Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it.”

There is a different version of this saying, by American writer Laurie Halse Anderson, which I like better: “Be careful what you wish for. There’s always a catch.” And I believe that the catch is in the “why”.

So, in this episode, I want to share with you two stories that were driven by two different whys and how they led to two completely different marriages.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [01:44] The fear-driven wish: my first marriage
• [06:00] Rebuilding my life after my divorce
• [08:08] Trying out eHarmony because “I had to”
• [09:44] Enjoying being a single mom
• [11:27] Reflecting on my failed marriage and what I’d look for in a new one
• [13:17] The abundance-driven wish: a little nudge and my future husband

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
The Page About Freedom, the Tattoo, and Taking Charge of My Life
The Page About the First Time I Put Myself First, Really
How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

What is freedom?

To me, it is about your right to be yourself. It is about letting go of that external pressure that we feel on our shoulders every single day, and finally giving yourself permission to be yourself. It is about openly expressing your thoughts, needs, and desires. It is about standing up for what you believe and pursuing your dreams. It is about being in charge of your life, owning your life.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story about the moment in my life when I was ready to reclaim my freedom, when I was ready to finally become who I am – who I have always been.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [01:05] A frustrating incident from my childhood
• [04:02] My daughter and I moved back in with my parents
• [04:49] Feeling like a guest and like I didn’t have a say in my life
• [06:49] My mom’s disapproval of my sister’s tattoo
• [07:31] When my daughter got sick and I got yelled at
• [09:21] The tipping point: deciding to reclaim my freedom
• [11:42] Getting a special tattoo and starting a new chapter

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
The Page About the First Time I Put Myself First, Really
How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead
Make Peace With Yourself To Create The Impact You Are Here In This World To Create
Navigating Pivotal Moments In Life: How To Get Unstuck and Discover Your Next Step When You Feel Lost
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

What do we usually do when we want things to go perfectly? We come up with a plan, right?

But sometimes, things just don’t seem to work in our favor, no matter how hard we try. And we say, “screw it”, and we give up. But then, somehow we end up with the best possible outcome – something completely unexpected, but that makes our day!

In this episode, take a trip to Belize with me as I tell you about a family adventure that didn’t really go according to plan, and how instead it turned out to be so much better.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [01:05] Spending time together as a family is important for us
• [02:33] The plan: snorkeling as a family in Belize
• [03:22] 2 big problems and 1 possible but complicated solution
• [05:13] The frustrated search for alternatives
• [06:02] We go for the kayak but there’s no fish to be seen
• [07:15] And… we almost sank our kayak
• [09:39] Getting back to shore safely: an unexpected adventure

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead
Live Your Life to the Fullest! 6 Reminders for Our Daily Lives I Brought Home From My Family Vacation
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life
Ask Olena: My Proven Strategy to Actually Unplugging and Enjoying a Family Vacation

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

We are often hesitant to set priorities because we feel that once we choose one thing over the other, it automatically means that it’s more important, period. And especially when it comes to prioritizing “work” over “life”, or “life” over “work”, this choice seems to be impossible to make, or it causes feelings of guilt and shame.

And then we force ourselves to an impossible task – to do everything at once.

In this episode, I’m sharing a story about a time when everything got thrown at me all at once, all of which were equally important (family, work, and vacation), and I had to make some hard choices.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [01:15] High expectations for our much-awaited vacation
• [02:37] Life throws some wrenches in my plans
• [04:07] Everyone is clamoring for my attention all at once
• [06:21] How I took back control and navigated my clashing priorities
• [08:32] Finding peace by making choices aligned with my values

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life
Embracing Life's Contradictions: Juggling Parenting, Solitude, and Motivation

My 5 favorite tips on how to be productive without overwhelm - getting LESS done can actually help you achieve MORE

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

Sometimes you spend years building your perfect life, or what you think is your perfect life. And then something happens, it all falls apart and it feels like your life is over now - because everything you’ve been working towards is not there anymore. But in fact, it might be not the end, but the beginning of your unique life.

In this episode, I share with you the first time in my life when I ever really put myself first. It’s the story of the decision I made eight years ago to file for divorce.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [01:01] I thought I had it all sorted out
• [01:26] When I realized something was wrong
• [03:15] How NOT fine my marriage was
• [04:53] Realizing I deserve better but being full of doubts
• [06:35] The opposite of love 
• [08:11] The turning point

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead
Reflecting on What It Means to Be The Best Parent For Your Kids
Navigating Pivotal Moments In Life: How To Get Unstuck and Discover Your Next Step When You Feel Lost
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

We often measure our success, or how cool and bold we are by the specific actions we take, and by the results of these actions. And if for some reason we fail, we immediately start doubting ourselves and our worth.

In this episode, take a trip to Hawaii with me and learn how I went from super embarrassed and beating myself up to feeling badass, proud, and ready to laugh about it.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [00:56] Convertibles and the real California dreamin’
• [01:42] Planning our incredible trip to explore Hawaii
• [02:55] The adventure begins with a beautiful bright orange Mustang convertible
• [03:49] I’m new to driving and make a stupid and embarrassing mistake
• [07:35] Sometimes all you need is a nudge to help you see the forest, not just the trees, and remember you’re already cool and badass

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

Ask Olena: Why Feeling Stupid and Feeling Badass Go Hand in Hand (and It is The ONLY Way to Mastery)
Live Your Life to the Fullest! 6 Reminders for Our Daily Lives I Brought Home From My Family Vacation
Ask Olena: My Proven Strategy to Actually Unplugging and Enjoying a Family Vacation
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

Sometimes we think that what we want is perfection. But really, what we are looking for is to be able to share our joy and excitement with someone we love - to experience it together, and to create new memories, together.

Today's page of the Breverie Handbook is all about one realization that came to me on a Sunday evening in December as I was decorating our Christmas tree.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [00:59] One day I look forward to every holiday season
• [01:51] My vision for the absolutely perfect Christmas tree
• [03:29] Our Christmas ornaments shopping adventure
• [05:53] It’s time to decorate the Christmas tree with my family
• [09:30] It was never really about perfection

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Reflecting on What It Means to Be The Best Parent For Your Kids
How To Actually Let Go Of Control And Take Charge Of Your Life Instead
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

Telling personal stories is the most powerful and most understated self-discovery and personal growth tool ever invented.
It's like a handbook. Your memories and life stories are like pages in your very own life manual, and all you need to do is be willing to look through those pages, read through them, and learn from them.
Sharing your personal stories out loud is like making a peace pact with yourself. Once you let it out, once you give yourself permission to let it out – something that you kept deep inside for so long – it liberates you.
And it begins to finally make sense. Your life, your deepest thoughts and desires, your wildest dreams and aspirations, your biggest fears and doubts – you begin to get it.
My name is Olena Mytruk, and it took me a while to learn the power of storytelling. But once I discovered it, I never looked back.
I invite you to join me on this adventurous and inspiring journey as I flip pages of my Breverie Handbook trying to figure out what it really takes to be a hardworking, passionate, multifaceted woman in today’s world.

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!

Over the years, I learned that by telling our stories, we’re not just helping others – we are helping ourselves. Telling stories is the best self-discovery and personal growth tool ever invented. That’s why storytelling will be at the heart of the podcast as it goes in a new direction.

In this episode, I am sharing how ten strangers and a secluded farm helped me discover the power of storytelling, and what the next direction of this podcast is going to be like.

EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

• [01:30] How I used to feel about telling my stories
• [03:32] Then there was this in-person retreat
• [04:58] My first date with the power of storytelling
• [08:51] What sharing your personal stories can do for you

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
A Life Worth Living: Embrace Your Whole Self To Achieve Your Goals And Dreams
“Just do it!” The Worst Advice for Overcoming Fear (And What You Should Do/Say Instead)
Life Design 101, Part 1: What Does It Really Mean to Thrive in Life

JOIN BREVERIE CIRCLE:
Weekly newsletter for brave, multifaceted women that are ready to embrace who they are, maximize their time and energy, and shine in both career and motherhood (as well as any other life endeavor they choose to pursue) – SIGN UP.

CONNECT WITH OLENA:
Instagram: @thebreverie
Email: olena@thebreverie.com
Website: thebreverie.com

SUPPORT THE SHOW!
Haven't left a review yet? All you need to do is go to Apple Podcasts (HERE). Thank you in advance for your support, it means the world to me!