Elena lives in Moscow and has a podcast and a very popular blog. She is an avid reader, and often translates best sellers written in English into Russian. Elena talks about her fear of not feeling good enough, and not being perfect enough to be on the podcast, but she realized that we have more things in common than our differences. This is an incredibly insightful and rich conversation, and Elena talks about how she manages intrusive thoughts. Elena demonstrates such a high level of self-acceptance, and she shares the books that have helped her develop these skills.

HIGHLIGHTS

Elena talks about feeling not good enough or not perfect enough to be on the podcast
Even though we may have different cultures, language, experiences, etc., we all have similarities that we share
Emotions are universal
Elena has had to learn how to manage intrusive thoughts.
- She acknowledges how her brain is wired
- She allows herself to be
Elena has learned to remind herself that “I’m not ok, and this is ok.”
CEN Childhood Emotional Neglect is common in immigrant families
Elena believes that many millennial parents are striving to provide a good life, but they are not fluent in emotional language
If you are angry, after 90 seconds, the anger will dissipate, or it will be with you for 13 years
I can change how I respond
Women can get angry. It can mobilize us to take action
“I’m not ok, but this is ok.”

GUEST BIO

Elena Truskova (Lenochka) works as a (project manager at IT company named Yandex, it’s kind of Russian Google, really good place to work), she also has a blog with 500+ visitors per day, a weekly kitchen-talk podcast, an Instagram and a blog in a Telegram app with 3200+ followers (similar to WhatsApp but there are blogs without comment sections — a gift for HSPs! No criticism!). She also helps with book translations and also holds online creative writing workshops. She’s an avid reader—she reads 150-200 books a year.

PODCAST HOST

Patricia Young hosts the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive, and works with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) helping them to understand their HSP traits, and turning their perceived shortcomings into superpowers. Patricia is passionate about providing education to help HSPs and non-HSPs understand and truly appreciate the amazing gifts they have to offer. Patricia works globally online with HSPs providing coaching. Patricia also facilitates online groups for HSPs that focus on building community and developing skills (identifying your superpowers, boundaries, perfectionism, dealing with conflict, mindfulness, embracing emotions, creating a lifestyle that supports the HSP, communication and more).

LINKS

Elena’s Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgetenot/

My separate cat Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/fayeeena/

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/elena.truskova

https://tipsfromonerussianbear.blogspot.com — my small blog about non-touristic Russia that doesn't update lately but there are lots of old posts I wrote that still are valid

https://www.spottedbylocals.com/saintpetersburg/author/elenatruskova/ — my articles for Spotted by Locals website about non-touristic spots in my city that could be interesting for a visitor (everything is kept up to date on this website/app)

RESOURCES

Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers

by Karyl McBride

I Think Too Much: How to Channel Intrusive Thoughts

by Christel Petitcollin

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents—Lindsay Gibson PsyD

Pema Chodron-- https://pemachodronfoundation.org/

Brene Brown-- https://brenebrown.com/

The Highly Sensitive Person Dr. Elaine Aron

Patricia’s Links

Website--www.unapologeticallysensitive.com

Facebook-- https://www.facebook.com/Unapologetically-Sensitive-2296688923985657/