Skip to content

Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Are You Living Your Life, Or Someone Else’s?

Home
Podcasts
Are You Living Your Life, Or Someone Else’s?

Good to see you,

Have you ever paused to wonder whether you truly want the life you’re living and if you’re living YOUR life, or if you’re just following someone else’s expectations?

This week, I joined Relatable Wisdom to talk with Wisdom Okonkwo about the deeper meaning behind the phrase, “you can be anything you want to be.” We explored how that idea can inspire growth, but also how it can create pressure and confusion, especially when family expectations and self-doubt get in the way.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why it’s so important to listen to your life experience

  • How external pressures can cloud what you actually want

  • What happened when an 80-year-old found a new spark through photography

  • How the “read, reflect, respond” process can open hidden doors

  • What it really means to honor your unique path

If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure about your direction, I hope this conversation helps you feel seen and supported.

🎧 Listen to the Podcast Episode

Rooting for your growth,

Signature

Get the Book on Amazon

Listen to More

Explore more episodes on healing, connection, and personal growth through honest conversations and shared experiences.

More Podcast Episodes

Talk With Me!

I’d love to hear your stories.

Email me to share your experiences.

Want to connect in a session?

Schedule an Appointment

related blog post by Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Read more of my stories and reflections

A man in the city reading about practicing compassion and protection for the homeless, symbolizing emotional growth and loss of adult identity in Maryland and DC.
September 26, 2026

The 3 P’s for Men | Redefining Masculinity and Emotional Connection

Procreation, Provision, Protection, and the Emotional Disconnect Manhood has long been defined by three cultural imperatives: procreation, provision, and protection. But what happens when these roles discourage emotional connection? For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how traditional expectations shape men’s relationships, and how we can rewrite the
Read My Post
Dr. Gloria K VanderhorstBy Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
A person in a garden full of artichoke, reading about Growing Up Alone in a Digital World symbolizing emotional growth and seasonal reflection through therapy in Maryland and DC.
September 26, 2026

Video Games | The Emotional Cost of Growing Up Alone in a Digital World

The Hidden Emotional Cost of Growing Up Alone in a Digital World I write this for the numerous 20‑somethings who consistently tell me they spent their childhoods playing video games alone in their rooms. The imagery is heartbreaking, but the social and emotional consequences are life altering. They come into
Read My Post
Dr. Gloria K VanderhorstBy Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
One of the teachers journaling about the meaning of the word “like” with mental clarity on a Sunday in the new year, symbolizing language evolution and emotional expression in Maryland and DC.
September 21, 2026

Body Movement, Mental Clarity, and the Case for Making Time

EXERCISE Body Movement, Mental Clarity, and the Case for Making Time Exercise isn’t just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and creative. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how movement supports not only health but insight, problem-solving, and emotional resilience. Have you had your annual physical? Do you get a
Read My Post
Dr. Gloria K VanderhorstBy Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
A person studying their mental storage locker and thinking about the reason you snap, symbolizing emotional unpacking and trauma recovery in Maryland and DC.
September 19, 2026

The Real Reason You Snap at the People You Love

Featured Interview with Stacey Chillemi Hello, I wanted to share a recent interview I participated in with Stacey Chillemi titled The Real Reason You Snap at the People You Love. One of the central themes of this conversation is that many of our strongest reactions are not solely about what
Read My Post
Dr. Gloria K VanderhorstBy Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst