The Glow-Up Era: 12 Habits to Leave Behind for Your Highest Self
Welcome back to She Thrives with Stef Barti, an empowering podcast helping women step into their fullest expression, live their best lives, and thrive unapologetically.
Today’s episode is a spicy one.
We’re diving into 12 things you need to stop doing this year if you’re serious about your ultimate glow-up.
This is about releasing guilt, reclaiming your power, and stepping fully into the woman you’re becoming.
And stick around—there’s a special message from Spirit at the end.
I’ve got my incense burning and my oracle cards out. The vibe is different today… and I’m here for it.
1. Stop Feeling Guilty for Protecting Your Energy
If you’re new here, protecting energy is my number one non-negotiable.
People will latch onto your light, especially when you don’t realize just how powerful it is.
So if you’re feeling drained, chances are someone’s been siphoning from you.
No more over-explaining or apologizing for having boundaries.
If someone can’t meet you where you’re at, let that be their journey—not your burden.
2. Stop Feeling Bad for Needing Solitude
Some of us genuinely recharge in solitude.
If you’re anything like me, being alone is not a luxury—it’s essential.
You don’t need to feel ashamed for needing space to hear yourself again. That’s your medicine.
3. Stop Apologizing for Taking Your Time to Respond
We’ve gotten used to this instant reply culture, but that’s not sustainable for everyone.
My phone lives on Do Not Disturb.
It’s not about ignoring people—it’s about preserving my peace.
Let people know how you move.
Communicate your pace.
Honour your nervous system.
4. Stop Feeling Ashamed About Your Personal Life Choices
People love to insert their opinions, but your life isn’t a community project.
You’re allowed to make mistakes, pivot, and choose what’s best for you—even if others don’t get it.
You don’t need outside validation to feel good about your path.
Let’s normalize trusting ourselves.
5. Stop Struggling Alone—Ask for Help
I get it.
Asking for help can feel awkward, especially if you’re used to being the strong one.
As a deeply independent person, I used to feel resistant too.
But here’s the truth: we weren’t meant to do it all alone.
Hire the help.
Ask the question.
Lean into your support system—paid or otherwise.
6. Stop Hiding Your Spirituality
I grew up Catholic.
Nowadays my spirituality is so expansive—it includes spirit guides, the Akashic Records, ancestral wisdom, and more.
I had a full spiritual awakening in Bali, and ever since, I’ve felt no shame about my beliefs.
Spirituality is deeply personal, and if you’re exploring yours, trust that you’re not alone. We’re in a collective awakening.
You can also book a reading with me if you would love some help navigating your own journey.
7. Stop Giving Unsafe People Access to You
Not everyone deserves access to you.
Just because someone wants your energy doesn’t mean they get to have it.
You’re allowed to remove yourself from situations or relationships that don’t feel safe or aligned.
It’s not rude. It’s necessary.
8. Stop Pouring from an Empty Cup
You can’t thrive when you’re constantly depleted.
Filling your own cup first isn’t selfish—it’s the foundation of everything.
This is the work of reparenting yourself and reconnecting with your inner child.
If you’re on that journey, I have a free guide to help you reconnect with your inner child.
The feminine power you seek? It starts there.
You’ll find the link below. 🫶🏾
9. Stop Feeling Guilty for Eating
Eating is not something you need to justify or apologize for. I know how tricky this topic can be, especially with diet culture still alive and well.
But you’re a human being. You need nourishment.
Of course, strive to be mindful and loving with your body—but please, stop shaming yourself for being hungry or for indulging reasonably.
10. Stop Hiding Your Joyful, Unique Hobbies
If your idea of fun doesn’t match the mainstream—so what?
I’m a dancer, but I don’t like clubbing.
People think that’s weird. And I couldn’t care less. 🤷🏽♀️
You don’t need to explain your joy to anyone. Whether it’s knitting, gardening, or staying home on a Friday night with tea and a book, own it.🤭
11. Stop Saying Yes When You Mean No
As a recovering people pleaser, this one is huge.
I used to say yes out of guilt or obligation.
Now?
My default is no—unless it truly lights me up.
There is so much freedom in honoring your “no.”
Your peace will thank you for it.
12. Stop Dismissing Your Intuition
You know.
You’ve always known.
But somewhere along the way, you were taught to second-guess yourself.
No more.
Your intuition is a superpower—and the more you listen to it, the more it speaks.
Start listening. Trust your nudges. They’re guiding you home.
A Message From Spirit
Before we close, I want to share a card I pulled for us today.
Spirit is saying:
“It’s time to come home to yourself. Everything you’ve been looking for is already within you. Trust yourself. Protect your peace. You are safe to glow.”
Let that land.
If this message resonated with you and you’re looking for honest, supportive guidance, I offer Tarot Readings, Soul Readings, and Akashic Records sessions.
These one-on-one sessions are a space to explore what’s present in your life, gain clarity, and receive grounded insight for your next steps. You’re welcome to book a session whenever you’re ready.
With love,
Stef Barti
Host of She Thrives with Stef Barti Podcast
Feel free to share this post with anyone who might benefit from it. And remember, you are a unique, beautiful creation, worthy of love and joy every day of the year.
P.S. If you’re looking for a community of like-minded women who are passionate about wellness, somatic healing, spirituality, and adventure, I’d love for you to join the Thriving Girlies Newsletter below. My goal is to create a safe space for women who want to grow together in these areas.
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Additional Resource to help you slow down
Feminine embodiment & Self Love Practice
I created my “Unleash your Feminine Power” to help you really start diving into your own unique power.
In this course, you will learn to connect with your body through some very sensual movements.
There is no fancy choreography to worry about. I really wanted to make this as simple as possible.
The goal is to give you a somatic practice that you can implement into your daily routine in order to start embodying your authentic self.
It is high time we start prioritizing our relationship with our own body too.
Because in order to be truly happy and content in life, I really believe you need to strike for a balance.
That means feeding your soul, your heart, your body.
And this is the goal of my ” Unleash your Feminine Power“.
The beautiful thing is that once you start getting in touch with that fire within, it only grows from there.
This energy will go on to light up your path, simultaneously guiding you through life.
So in a way, it is your own inner guiding compass. 💕
Get in Touch with your feminine today through the self love embodiment practice
ps. Don’t forget to join the conversation over on the podcast and the girlies club so you don’t miss anything 🫶🏾
More Feminine Energy Resource
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Women Self Love Wellness Retreat
I am so passionate about women empowerment. Everything I do is based on this. I want to see more women embrace their authentic selves. Trust me life gets so much better.
That’s the main focus of my self love women retreat. In this Wellness retreat, we go deep. I really love to connect with my fellow sisters.
That’s why I only do small groups of 10-12 women.
This retreat is an invitation to embody your feminine and to dive into radical self love. Growth and shedding past limiting beliefs is the focal point.
We do this through various workshops, wellness practices such as breath work and lots of somatic movement.
As a dance teacher, of course we will also be using the power of dance and music to process, release and shed things that are holding us back so we can be born again.
Welcome to our transformational retreat where the focus is all on YOU.
Not only that, but we do it in style and comfort.
Our next retreat is in a breathtaking villa on the beautiful island of Gozo Malta. We will be staying in our own private villa.
And did I mention our own private chef? with our own private pool 🤭.
It is the perfect time to slow down and prioritize yourself.
Also, don’t forget to stay in touch for my Bali self love women wellness retreat, for pure feminine embodiment and lots of dancing also.