Ep. 14: Why Self Improvement Feels Worse Before it Gets Better

About this episode

Megan Waldrep discusses the challenges of self-improvement and personal growth, emphasizing that progress often feels harder before it gets better.

Today, I’m talking about something that comes up for all of us on a self-growth journey...the feeling that you’re somehow going backwards. You start doing all the “right” things like meditating, journaling, moving your body, and showing up for yourself. But instead of feeling better, everything feels harder. I’ve been there. We talk about: Why self-improvement can feel worse before it feels better What’s actually happening when your mind feels busier than ever The “wave” pattern of growth (and why it’s not linear) How each low point isn’t failure—it’s strength-building Why awareness is the real work The connection between emotional growth and “adding weight to the bar.” Letting go of perfection and embracing real, human progress I also open up about my personal journey through addiction and healing, and how showing up again and again (and again and again) completely changed my life. You're not alone, no matter where you are on your journey. Let's dive in. Let's connect on IG: @megan.waldrep FREE: Simple tools to reset your focus and energy anytime, anywhere: Get The Calm Compass through this link or visit meganwaldrep.com/newsletter

People in this episode

Host: Megan Waldrep

Topics covered

• self-improvement
• personal growth
• mental health
• emotional growth
• addiction recovery
• mindfulness

Keywords

• self-improvement
• mental health
• personal growth
• addiction
• mindfulness
• journaling
• meditation
• emotional growth

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• Ep. 21: Minisode - The Missing Piece is to Feel It in Your Body (Here's How To Do It) · May 27, 2026 · 11 min
• Ep. 20 The Trick for Choosing Better Thoughts · May 20, 2026 · 10 min
• Ep. 19: Minisode - How to Catch the Thought and Break the Spiral · May 13, 2026 · 8 min
• Ep. 18: How Your Thoughts Are Quietly Shaping Your Life · May 6, 2026 · 20 min