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222: How Do You Actually Choose Yourself?

The Sabrina Zohar Show

Hosted by Sabrina Zohar

38m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

Sabrina Zohar discusses the true meaning of self-love, arguing that it is not about bubble baths or chasing perfection, but about refusing to abandon oneself when mistakes happen. Drawing on Kristin Neff's research on self-compassion, she explains how self-compassion builds resilience and lowers anxiety better than chasing high self-esteem. She shares personal anecdotes, including walking away from a two-month relationship where her partner was unable to communicate or show up, and handling a canceled high-profile client meeting, illustrating how setting boundaries and recognizing one's own worth prevents self-abandonment. She also explores the impact of inner critics, tracing them back to childhood conditioning or parental voices, and offers practical tools for challenging negative thoughts and practicing self-regulation.

  • True self-love means refusing to abandon yourself when you mess up rather than expecting perfection. 1:20
  • Practice self-compassion to build resilience and lower anxiety instead of chasing high self-esteem. 2:19
  • Evaluate early dating by asking how you feel with the person and if they work for you. 5:34
  • Examine self-criticism by identifying whose voice is speaking in your head during moments of doubt. 34:34

Chapters

  1. 0:01
    Podcast Intro and Advertisements

    The episode opens with a series of product advertisements before the host introduces herself and the show.

  2. 0:59
    Defining Self‑Love Beyond Surface Rituals

    Sabrina explains that true self‑love involves refusing to abandon oneself when mistakes happen, not just bubble baths or self‑care day.

  3. 2:17
    Research on Self‑Compassion vs. Self‑Esteem

    She cites Kristin Neff’s study showing self‑compassion reduces anxiety and depression compared to chasing high self‑esteem.

  4. 5:38
    Choosing Yourself in Dating and Relationships

    She offers three questions to ask on dates to assess compatibility and self‑worth, emphasizing the importance of self‑respect.

  5. 25:59
    Podcast Introduction

    Sabrina Zohar opens the episode with a brief welcome and sets the stage for the discussion.

  6. 27:25
    The Role of Boundaries and Self‑Worth in Professional Life

    Sabrina shares a story about a client who canceled last minute, showing how lacking boundaries can erode self‑worth and time.

  7. 34:30
    Tools and Practices for Daily Self‑Love

    She introduces a weekly tool: identifying the voice behind self‑criticism, and a product of the week (Vivo Barefoot shoes) to support mindful movement.

Highlights

  • 2:16

    Self-Compassion Over Self-Esteemdata

    Kristin Neff's research shows that self-compassion leads to lower anxiety, lower depression, and more resilience than chasing high self-esteem.

  • 5:34

    Three Dating Evaluation Questionsstrategy

    Sabrina shares three questions to ask on dates: how you feel with the person, whether they work for you, and if there is enough factual basis to continue.

  • 9:09

    Walking Away From Red Flagsstory

    Sabrina recounts dating a man for two months who avoided intimacy and eventually claimed he wasn't attracted to her personality, leading her to walk away immediately.

  • 15:39

    Proximity and Timing in Datinginsight

    Sabrina argues that proximity and timing matter more for relationships than compatibility alone, and waiting for someone requires them to be in your life at the right time.

  • 18:24

    The Evolutionary Purpose of Inner Criticsinsight

    The inner critic is adaptive, emerging from childhood beliefs that mistakes lead to rejection, and the brain uses criticism in an attempt to prevent abandonment.

  • 21:09

    Brain Response to Self-Talkdata

    Research by Paul Gilbert shows that self-criticism activates the brain's threat system, while self-assurance activates areas involved in emotional regulation.

  • 34:34

    Identifying the Inner Critic's Voicestrategy

    A practical tool for emotional regulation is asking whose voice is speaking when self-doubt arises and identifying where that feeling sits in the body.

Quotes

  • “Self-love isn't just bubble baths and face masks.”
    Sabrina Zohar · 1:15
  • Gator Light 0:09–0:23
  • Bose 0:34–0:55
  • Gatorade Zero 17:00–17:30
  • Lululemon 25:55–26:24
  • Vivo Barefoot 35:35–36:12
  • Lululemon 38:08–38:32

About this episode

What does loving yourself actually look like when it isn't bubble baths, face masks, or affirmations you don't believe? Sabrina breaks down the real difference between self-love and self-esteem, what the self-compassion research says about anxiety and resilience, and why your inner critic isn't your enemy but a survival strategy you learned somewhere. She also tells the story of the guy who said he wasn't attracted to her two months in, why she walked away that night, and how she met her partner five days later. This one covers how to stop self-abandoning in dating, three questions to ask yourself on every first date, why proximity and timing matter more than love, how to find closure after being ghosted, how to rebuild self-worth after getting dumped, and how to set boundaries when someone disrespects your time. If you keep accepting low effort, treating rejection like proof you're not enough, or waiting to feel worthy before you act like it, this is your episode on how to actually choose yourself. Come see me on tour! https://sabrinazohar.com/tour Pre-order Sabrina's book coming out October 2026,⁠⁠ "Why Am I Like This?"⁠⁠ Get your free workbook and access to the companion course after pre-ordering 'Why Am I Like This?' by filling out the form at the bottom of the page at ⁠http://sabrinazohar.com/book⁠ Take the new and improved dating quiz! ⁠sabrinazohar.com/quiz⁠ If you’re ready to slow down, trust your instincts, and break your old dating patterns, the Healthy Relationship Foundations Course walks you through it step-by-step ⁠⁠HERE!⁠⁠ Product of the week! https://amzn.to/4gzWSat Get Ad free ⁠⁠HERE!⁠⁠ Watch on Spotify. Spotify subscribers get fewer ads on my video. Want to work with Sabrina? ⁠⁠HERE!⁠⁠ Get merch for The Sabrina Zohar Show ⁠⁠HERE!⁠⁠ Don't forget to follow ⁠⁠Sabrina⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠The Sabrina Zohar Show⁠⁠ on Instagram and ⁠⁠Sabrina ⁠⁠on TikTok! Video now available on ⁠⁠YOUTUBE!⁠⁠ Chapters: 00:00 What Self-Love Actually Means 03:47 3 Questions To Ask On A Date 05:55 Story Time: Before I Met Ryan 08:59 The Red Flags I Ignored 11:28 When He Said He Wasn't Attracted 13:56 Why Timing Matters More Than Love 16:06 How To Stop Judging Yourself 19:52 Self-Worth After Getting Dumped 23:02 The Client Who Wasted My Time 26:34 Loving Yourself After Being Ghosted Disclaimer: The Sabrina Zohar Show, formerly known as Do The Work, is not affiliated with A. Z & associates LLC in any capacity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

0:00
38:04

9,076 words · 4 speakers

Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

Topics

  • San Diego
  • Why Am I Like This?
  • Zeros
  • London
  • Warwick's
  • Sabrina Zohar.com
  • New York Times Best Selling List

Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated