Let us know what you enjoy about the show! What would your day feel like if the pressure to prove eased by even ten percent? In this guided meditation, we open a gentle, grounded space to notice the quiet expectations that hum beneath the surface—the subtle “I should have” and “I need to” messages that drain focus and blur what truly matters. Rather than arguing with these stories, we meet them with curiosity. We trace where they come from—family, culture, industry—and ask a simple but powerful question: Do these expectations still belong to me? Using a clear, vivid image, each expectation appears as a small card you can name and set down. Performance pressure. Perfection myths. Approval-seeking. Fear-rooted rules. You choose where they go—a bowl, a river, a fire—and with each exhale, you practice releasing the need to meet every demand. The breath becomes a tool for nervous system calm: inhaling to create space, exhaling to soften attachment. As the body unwinds, relief or uncertainty may arise—and both are welcome. This is a practice of clarity without judgment. From that new spaciousness, we listen for values that feel true right now —presence, kindness, courage, steadiness, creativity. One value may rise to the surface and settle like a compass. From there, we ask a practical, human question: How might I live from this value just a little more today? The answer can be small and still powerful—a slower morning, a kinder email, a boundary that protects your focus. This meditation is for anyone ready to release urgency, soothe the nervous system, and move from external approval toward internal alignment. Press play when you’re seeking calm clarity—and notice the value you choose to lead with today. If this practice supports you, consider subscribing, leaving a brief review, or sharing it with someone who could use a gentler pace. If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated! Support the show 🌟✨📚 ** Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities '** 📚✨🌟 Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇 🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC 🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?** 🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com 📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/ 💖 ** SUPPORT THE SHOW :** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME 🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern** 🔗 [Listen on Spotify] https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg
