216: 3 Ways to Start the Process of Letting Go with Susan Casey
In this week’s episode of the Happiness Happens podcast, I have the incredible privilege of diving deep into the human experience and exploring the pursuit of genuine joy. In this special episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Susan Casey, an extraordinary author, podcaster, speaker, and creator. Susan's work revolves around themes of grief, loss, internal well-being, and higher consciousness. Join me as I recount this transformative conversation about discovering true happiness, releasing what no longer serves us, and nurturing a deep sense of self-love.
It all began with a beautiful twist of fate. Susan Casey, a passionate human seeking to start her own podcast, found me on Instagram. Together, we embarked on a journey that would lead us to create a podcast that has since evolved into a vibrant community centered around grief, loss, and personal growth. Susan's presence in my life is truly a shining beacon of light, radiating love and wisdom.
In our conversation, I wasted no time in delving into the core question: "What does happiness mean to you?" Susan's response left me in awe as she emphasized the profound importance of authenticity. According to Susan, true happiness is found when we embrace our most authentic selves, inviting all emotions and experiences to shape our joy. It's about embracing the full spectrum of our humanity, rather than suppressing or avoiding certain feelings.
During our discussion, we explored the dangerous habit of self-invalidation and self-judgment, and the toll it takes on our happiness and connection to self. Susan poignantly revealed how we tend to be overly critical of ourselves, dismissing and judging our own emotions. However, she urged us to practice self-love, highlighting the necessity of embracing all our experiences and offering ourselves the compassion we deserve.
Seeking a deeper understanding, I raised a question about individuals who have experienced trauma or intense pain and how self-invalidation affects their healing process. Drawing upon her expertise as a therapist, Susan brought forth a perspective that resonated with me. She believes that our souls choose specific life paths and experiences for the purpose of growth, healing, and expansion, even if it may be difficult to comprehend at times.
Our conversation then turned towards the concept of letting go and its profound impact on our well-being. Susan eloquently likened our ability to let emotions pass through us to a screen allowing wind to pass through. By avoiding emotional buildup and explosions, we open up space for healing and transformation. Susan emphasized the importance of nurturing a connection with our higher consciousness through practices like meditation, automatic writing, and engaging in joyful activities.
As our enlightening conversation neared its end, I asked Susan for practical steps to incorporate letting go and inviting more happiness into our lives. Her response centered around the fundamental practice of self-compassion. By releasing self-judgment and embracing self-love, we lay the groundwork for growth and transformation. These acts of self-compassion allow us to authentically shine and live a life brimming with joy.
My conversation with Susan Casey was nothing short of extraordinary. In her presence, I discovered the profound essence of happiness and the paramount importance of embracing authenticity. Through self-compassion, releasing what no longer serves us, and fostering a connection with our higher consciousness, we embark on a profound journey of self-discovery, healing, and unbridled joy. I hope sharing this conversation inspires you to wholeheartedly embrace your authenticity and awaken the untapped wellspring of joy within yourself. Remember, true happiness unfolds when we allow ourselves to shine authentically.
In the episode, we get into:
[2:43] What does Happiness mean to Susan
[3:36] Does bypassing hard feelings lead to unhappiness?
[5:09] Why do we have the ability to invalidate ourselves and our feelings?
[7:51] Having more awareness of what decisions really serve us
[11:45] The time we need vs. the time we have
[19:46] 3 ways to start the process of letting go
[26:20] The impact of anger
[28:53] How to create a little more happiness in your day, every day, starting today
About Susan Casey
Susan E. Casey, MSW, MFA, has a diverse professional background encompassing roles as an author, psychic intuitive mental health clinician, bereavement group facilitator, life coach, and podcaster. With over three decades of experience, she has worked in various settings including hospice, in-patient, and home-based environments, primarily with teens and adults. Susan has also provided clinical coaching nationwide to therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, aiming to enhance mental health outcomes. She currently teaches a 6-week online course on grief and loss (L.E.A.P), co-facilitates a grief group for bereaved parents, offers 1:1 grief coaching, and conducts 'One and Done' calls for personalized insights on complex life challenges.
Susan's passion extends to her creative work, where she harnesses the power of storytelling in her podcast, "L.E.A.P Into Light and Healing," rebranded as "Rock Your Shine After You’ve Been Cracked Wide Open" in 2023. The podcast features global narratives of loss and hope, reflecting her commitment to transformative storytelling. Her blog, a personal account of grieving her brother's death, led to her debut nonfiction book, "Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief," which garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards. Rooted in a belief in the unique potential and inner strength of each individual, Susan resides in Maine with her husband Steve and their mini aussiedoodle, Rocky.
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