From the things we tell ourselves to how we view our health and worth, patriarchy, colonialism, and capitalism have embedded themselves in our daily lives. In fact, even our most empowered acts of self-improvement can actually be disguised obedience.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into what we've been told and taught about being a woman, being beautiful, being good, and being well, including:

• Recognising how patriarchal, colonial, and capitalist systems impact women's self-perception.

• Understanding cultural deprogramming as a means to reclaim self-trust and authenticity.

• How to reclaim your mind, body, and spirit from systems that have taught us to doubt ourselves.

What if the body was never the problem? What if the betrayal women feel is actually a consequence of a culture that taught them to distrust their own bodies?

These systems have historically whitewashed, greenwashed, purified, sanitised, and commodified the female body.

Colonialism didn't just conquer lands; it conquered the body, dictating that nature was something to be tamed, not trusted.

Patriarchy labelled our bodies as public property, to be judged, modified, and approved, while capitalism saw profit in our insecurities, rebranding oppression as self-care.

Even the modern wellness world, despite its intentions, often becomes another mask of control, promising liberation but selling perfection.

Cultural deprogramming starts when we recognise this spell for what it is. To deprogram is to remember that our rhythms (menstrual, emotional, creative, and ancestral) are sacred.

These aren't flaws to fix but languages to listen to. It's about viewing our bodies not as projects but as places of wisdom.

Women often tell me they want to feel like themselves again. They long for a time when they felt freer, lighter, and more alive, unburdened by the expectations that came with adulthood.

What they truly desire isn't the old body, energy, or face; it's the freedom to be themselves, before they were told how to be.

This longing isn't for who they were but for who they were before external forces moulded them.

The women who had to be small to be loved, endlessly productive to be worthy, and smile through pain.

What they're truly seeking is liberation - not from their past selves but from the constraints that tie them down. It's freedom to belong to oneself and to nature.

Naming the forces that shaped us - white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism - reaffirms that our bodies have always been compasses, not burdens. Healing becomes an act of rebellion, refusing constant striving for truth and belonging to one's natural self.

This work begins with small acts of reclamation, questioning internal self-criticism and reconnecting with nature.

By walking barefoot, allowing sunlight on our skin, or simply eating from living soil, we reclaim our power and rhythms. Speaking about our bodies with new respect and creating rituals of refusal bolsters this reclamation.

Each small act loosens the old spell and opts into authenticity and self-trust.

If this resonates with you, understand that healing is possible. It begins with curiosity, not control, and nourishment, not restriction.

• Visit her naturopathic clinic at apothecabyanthia.com

• Join the Staying Healthy Together Club for a deeper exploration of these practices

• 00:30 Welcome to 'How We Heal'

• 00:55 Understanding Cultural Deprogramming

• 01:58 The Impact of Patriarchy, Colonialism, and Capitalism

• 03:26 Reclaiming the Female Body

• 04:04 The Journey to Self-Liberation

• 06:15 Naming the Forces That Shaped Us

• 08:04 Daily Acts of Reclamation

• 09:55 Conclusion and Next Steps

We often think of seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling as passive processes. But they're also our body's earliest protectors and its most reliable guides. In a world that moves fast and overwhelms easily, our senses quietly signal when to soften, when to brace, and when we are safe enough to connect.

The trouble is, modern life can dull those signals. Constant noise, stress, overstimulation, and disconnection pull us away from the very systems designed to anchor and restore us.

In this episode, we explore:

• How our senses shape safety, presence, and regulation

• Why they become overwhelmed in today's world

• And simple, mindful ways to reawaken each sense so we can reconnect and heal

Our senses are like ancient sentinels, constantly surveying both our internal and external worlds. They whisper whether we are safe enough to connect or if we need protection. As Dr. Stephen Porges illuminates with his polyvagal theory, safety is the cure.

When we are in a safe and restful state, we engage our "rest and digest" mode, which counters the "fight or flight" response. Healing, therefore, is not a passive consumption but a full-bodied, sensory participation.

From the womb, we attune to sound. A mother's voice, the rustle of leaves, or the rhythm of our breathing, these sounds coalesce to create a symphony of life. Hearing involves tuning into tone, rhythm, and nuance, allowing the body to decide if it's safe to connect.

However, modern life bombards us with noise pollution, keeping us alert and eroding our ability to listen both to others and to ourselves. By restoring hearing through stillness and nature, we begin to regulate and heal.

Taste is deeply intertwined with safety and love, evident from a child's first experience at the mother's breast.

Beyond flavour, taste is a compass that guides us to rest and digest. Yet, modern stress and processed foods can dampen this sense. By embracing mindful, seasonal eating and exploring the complexity of flavors, we rebuild trust with our instincts and rediscover joy.

Smell is primal, evoking memories and emotions from deep within. Yet, synthetic fragrances often mask natural aromas, dulling our perception. By rediscovering natural scents around us, we breathe life back into our sense of smell, grounding ourselves in the present.

Sight is more than what meets the eye; it's about connection and belonging. Art and nature, with their beauty, offer us medicine for the soul.

Under stress, our gaze narrows, but by mindfully expanding our view, we invite enchantment and awe - an essential step towards reconnecting with the world.

Touch is our first language, conveying safety and love. It's essential to healing, releasing hormones that foster trust and connection.

In today's world, touch is often replaced by tapping and scrolling, leaving us bereft of its healing power. By intentionally seeking tactile experiences, we remember our rightful place in the tapestry of life.

Rediscovering our senses is a gentle act of reclaiming what it means to be alive. They are the keys to our healing, narrating when to soften, brace, open, or retreat. As we reconnect with our sensory wisdom, we shed layers of numbness and embrace the vibrant aliveness of being fully present.

If you found comfort in these words, please share them with someone who might need a touch of gentleness.

For those seeking deeper understanding, we invite you to join us on a journey of reclaiming health through the wisdom of your senses. Until we meet again, may you listen softly, taste slowly, and allow your senses to guide you home.

• Visit my naturopathic clinic at apothecabyanthia.com

• Join the Staying Healthy Together Club for deeper exploration of these practices
  

• 00:20 Welcome and Introduction

• 00:41 The Power of Our Senses

• 00:56 A Personal Story of Discovery

• 02:23 The Role of Safety in Healing

• 04:11 Rediscovering Hearing

• 05:58 The Importance of Taste

• 10:09 The Primal Sense of Smell

• 13:13 The Significance of Sight

• 15:48 The Healing Power of Touch

• 18:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts