Episode #14
Mental Self-Care episode 14
Mental Self-Care with Kat McCartie Pam Van Nest talks with Kat McCartie a board-certified integrated neurosomatic practitioner, about mental self-care, the inner critic, and the beliefs that quietly drive burnout, overthinking, and self-overriding. The conversation centers on how awareness and pause create choice, and how changing internal narratives can help people rest, decide, and live with more compassion.This is an interview with two substantive speakers: Pam Van Nest frames the self-care lens, and Kat McCartie brings the main teaching on mental self-care, toxic independence, and updating the beliefs underneath our habits. Key topics In this episode, Kat defines self-care as the act of recognizing that you matter as much as everyone else, not as a selfish indulgence. Pam and Kat discuss toxic independence and how the belief that you must do everything alone can become a barrier to support and recovery. Kat explains mental self-care as everything happening inside the head, including thoughts, imagery, inner dialogue, shoulds, and unconscious narratives. The conversation explores the pause as the first step in self-care, especially when an automatic reaction starts to take over. Kat shares how identifying the belief underneath a reaction helps reveal whether the pattern still serves you or needs to be updated. Pam connects the discussion to self-compassion, noting that understanding how her own mind works helps her respond more kindly to herself and others. The discussion uses the cards open-mindedness and aspire to show how curiosity and belief in others can improve communication and reduce reactivity. Kat shares examples from parenting and everyday misunderstandings to show how assumptions can distort meaning and create unnecessary tension. The episode examines doubt as an inner saboteur that often appears when identity beliefs and current behavior are out of alignment. Kat describes her goal of helping high-achieving women move from override and self-doubt into alignment, where the inner critic becomes an ally. Notable quotes Copy “I love myself enough today that I’m going to take things that are important to me because I matter as much as everybody else.” Copy “The pause.” Copy “When we heal ourselves, we help heal other people and it creates this beautiful ripple effect.” Action items Notice when your mind shifts into shoulds, overthinking, or self-criticism. Pause before reacting and ask what need the pattern is trying to meet. Check whether the belief driving the reaction still serves you. Practice open-mindedness by asking for more context before assuming intent. Choose actions that reflect alignment, not obligation or fear. To reach Kat you can email her at katmccartie@gmail.com To buy Making The Time card deck, email me at pvncoaching@gmail.com or go to my website www.pvncoaching.com shop. Music by uppbeat.io The path we walk by Alyex
