Mindfulness and Inner Change: Why Self-Care Works Better Together with Maria Van Der Maaten

What if the discomfort of inner change isn’t something to escape, but an invitation to listen? On The Mindful Journey, host Swati and sociologist Maria Van Der Maaten explore navigating change with patience and awareness. Maria shares how a wellness plan built on doing it all alone left her stuck in guilt, why she now sees self-care as something we’re meant to do together, and how small, realistic practices beat rigid, quick-fix plans. About the Guest: Maria Van Der Maaten is a community development practitioner turned sociologist who has spent 20 years working with smallholder farmers in rural Latin America. She is also a certified wellness coach exploring community care. Key Takeaways: Quick-result expectations keep us cycling through starting and quitting. Ask “why” until you find the deeper goal behind the number. Shift from chasing goals to building an identity. A busy mind during meditation is normal; short sessions still count. We’re social beings, so try doing self-care with others. Give yourself the grace you would give a friend. Connect With Maria Van Der Maaten: Website: https://mariavdm.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariavandermaaten Instagram: search “Maria Van Der Maaten” Episode Chapters (approx.): [00:00] Welcome to The Mindful Journey: when something inside asks for attention [01:30] Meet Maria: from rural Latin America to a wellness reckoning [05:00] Stuck in the Mud: why self-care alone wasn’t working [08:00] The Biggest Misconception: quick results and fad cycles [11:00] From Goals to Identity: asking why until you find the real goal [14:00] When Meditation Feels Loud: finding a practice that fits you [18:00] Community Care, Joy and Grace: wellness as a shared practice 🎙️ Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? Send me a direct message on PodMatch. 👉 DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik 🌱 About Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Global Mental Wellness Podcast Network - focused, credible, no more identity clutter. 👉 Subscribe and be part of this healing journey. Refer a Guest Know someone who would be a great fit for one of our podcast shows? Email us at [email protected] with the subject line “Refer a Guest.” Requests without this subject line cannot be catered to. Support Our Podcast: Support this Podcast 📬 Contact & Links Brand: Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Contact Us Based in: India & USA 🎧 All Podcast Shows 🤝 Be a Guest 📩 Newsletter Substack 👉 Join the LinkedIn Community 📌 Disclaimer - This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements. If you have concerns about any content, please contact us here By listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here. #podmatch #healthymindbyavik #podhub.club #themindfuljourney #mindfulness #innerchange #communitycare #selfcare #meditation #habitchange #identityshift #selfcompassion #slowliving #wellnessjourney #personalgrowth