Blog 8: Identity, Purpose, and the Power of Pause (Episodes 22–24)

Published on 17 May 2025 at 11:07

Personal Reflections

Episodes 22 through 24 hit close to home. I’ve spent so much time attaching my worth to how visible, productive, or 'on top of things' I seem. But this podcast helped me see that stepping away from hustle culture and social media performance isn’t failure—it’s healing. For the first time, I gave myself permission to just be.

Real-World Example

Taeyeon has repeatedly shown that growth isn’t about external validation. Her journey from Girls’ Generation to solo artist has been filled with vulnerability, especially in songs like 'Dear Me' and 'Fine.' She doesn’t chase trends—she shares her truth. These episodes reminded me that authenticity and purpose aren’t destinations—they’re practices rooted in wholeness.

Image credit: https://quotefancy.com/quote/1698014/John-Spence-Learn-to-love-yourself-first-instead-of-loving-the-idea-of-other-people

Unique Insights

The reframing of purpose as a process—not a fixed point—felt liberating. These episodes emphasized that value isn’t tied to output, and that rest is not a reward—it’s a right. Learning to track my energy instead of my to-do list and ask myself what brings peace rather than applause was life-changing. I also appreciated how the podcast unpacked the science behind dopamine and online validation. It all made so much sense.

Practical Takeaways

Take a social media detox and journal what emotions come up.
Reflect on what lit you up at different stages of your life to spot purpose patterns.
Redefine success in your own words—not society’s.
Try calming music like 'Epiphany' (BTS), 'Paradise' (BTS), and 'Evergreen' (Yebba).