Elijah captures his push and pull between craving praise, guarding against rejection, and wanting both connection and independence through a poem. Elliott explains how art can function as therapy—an outlet for emotions we can’t always say out loud, and invites listeners to think about their own safe place to put their feelings.

 In the session, Elijah talks about how insecurity can make him vulnerable to controlling or demeaning “tough love,” and how that affects the power dynamics in his relationships. He shares that he often presents a more stoic public persona, even though he wants to feel more peaceful and authentic, and he’s trying to create a space where he doesn’t have to hide those softer parts of himself.

Elliott challenges Elijah to build self-esteem around what he can control instead of outside feedback. Elijah decides to attach his confidence to effort, discipline, and creativity: writing, reading, drawing, cooking, and building projects, rather than whether other people notice or validate him.

The episode ends with a reminder that anxiety grows when self-worth depends on variables we can’t control, and that small daily habits can move you closer to being your authentic self.

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Read: Change Your Questions, Change Your Future