Delusional By Choice
Welcome to Delusional By Choice! šļø
Iām Dayanara, your host, sharing the messy, real moments of my life. At 28, Iām a college student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Class of 2026 š) majoring in Sociology and minoring in Psychology. As I dive into understanding the human mind, Iām using everything I learn to navigate lifeās ups and downs.
This podcast is all about embracing ādelusionā as a tool: life doesnāt always go according to plan, but we always get to choose how we show up. Each episode is like an open journalāraw, real, and filled with psychological insights to help you grow.
If youāre looking for authentic conversations and practical advice on relationships, mental health, and personal growth, youāre in the right place. Letās figure out life together! āØ
Episodes
30 episodes
Money Money Money
Spoiler alert: money has a long history of losing purchasing power over time. Translation: simply saving your money and hoping for the best is not exactly a winning retirement strategy.I am not a financial expert, so think of this episod...
When āDo What You Loveā Starts Feeling Impossible
Lately, Iāve been asking myself how do you actually love what you do?Because somewhere along the way, I lost that version of me who felt sure about it.In this episode, Iām getting honest about what itās like to lose that spark, what pas...
Letās talk about sex(ed) baby!
Sex ed. We all got it, some of us survived it, and some of usā¦ well, letās just say it left a lot to be desired. In this episode of Delusional By Choice, I break down why sex education really matters, who is supposed to be teaching it,...
Tried To Run From My Problems Turns Out I'm Too Slow
After taking some time away, I'm back with a conversation about the heavy stuff thatās been weighing on me lately: loneliness, fear, pulling back from people, losing confidence, and that stuck feeling that comes with self-doubt.If youāve...
Sorry I Ghosted You, Itās Me, Not You
Sorry I ghosted you! Life got a little wild between school, juggling a million things, and just trying to keep my head above water. But guess what? Weāre finally catching up, and Iām ready to spill everything.In this episode, Iām diving ...
Popcorn Thoughts
This episode is dedicated to the thoughts that donāt just visit. They move in, rearrange the furniture, and blast their playlist at full volume. You know the ones. The thoughts that pull up a chair, make themselves at home, and demand your full...
Mind on Repeat
If your brain loves reruns of awkward convos or that one thing you said in 2016, welcome home. In this episode, weāre spiraling intentionally into why we ruminate. Iām sharing some real-life āouch-but-trueā reflections on how childhood...
Feel It, Then Flex Your Gratitude
Dumpster fire on a rollercoaster? Yeah. But guess what? Gratitude and being present are ride-or-die tools, and Iām here to remind you (again) because we all need it. Honestly? These two have been the only things ke...
Memory: A Scrapbook on Shrooms
Letās be real ā sometimes we scroll through old photos and feel a weird mix of envy and cringe. Like āUgh, I miss herāā¦ until you remember she was spiraling over a situationship, chasing validation, and running on espresso shots and vibes.<...
Addicted to the Bare Minimum
Ever caught feelings from a āwydā text? Thought the universe was sending signs? Babeā¦ itās not fate ā itās dopamine in heels, unhinged and unsupervised. This episode is your official intervention. Weāre calling out the brain chemical behind you...
Main Characters Have Meltdowns Too
Welcome to your villain origin storyābut like, the healing kind. š This episode is your permission slip to burn it all down (metaphoricallyā¦ mostly) and stop clinging to people, habits, or versions of you that have expired. Inspired by...
Cat's Out of the Bagā¦ Just Kidding ā Just My Business
In this episode, Iām pulling back the curtain on some personal stuff Iāve been hesitant to share. The catās out of the bagāwell, kind ofāand Iām diving into the unknown. My career is... well, what career? And does anyone have any tips on living...
The Beauty of Lifeās Plan B
Life doesnāt always stick to the script ā and sometimes those unexpected plot twists leave us wondering, What now? In this episode, my guest opens up about how she once pictured the āperfectā life: marriage, three kids, and a cozy home...
Whatās Your Brainās Diet?
Why does change feel so damn hard? Itās not just youāitās science. In this episode, weāre breaking down why your brain resists change (even when you want it), how the right people in your circle can actually help, and the ...
Permission to Fail Is Permission to Grow
UGH. The pressure to set big goals and do all the things can leave you feeling drained, defeated, and stuck, right? Trust me, Iāve been there. We get caught in the hustle, but hereās the thing: growth isnāt about being perfect. Itās ab...
Am I Overreacting Or Are They Testing me
Ever feel like your emotions are running the show? In this episode, weāre talking all about emotional reactivity and boundaries ā what they really are, and how to set them without feeling like youāre on defense all the time. Sometimes we think ...
Outsmarting Your Own Impulses
In this episode, we explore how willpower, self-control, and self-discipline can help you stay grounded during lifeās toughest moments. Building on Freudās iceberg model, I break down how these tools shape our decisions and how awareness can pr...
My Lifeās in Shambles, But at Least I Have Freud
The end of 2024 hit me hard, leaving me in a dark mental space with a storm of emotions āmany of which contradicted each other. Stuck, confused, and searching for clarity, I turned to Freudās Iceberg Modelāexploring the Superego, Ego, and Idāto...
Breaking the Rules Youāve Created for Yourself
In this episode, we explore the self-imposed āfalse rulesā that keep us from taking chances and growing. From limiting beliefs about our abilities to fear of failure, these invisible barriers hold us back in big ways. Iāll share how recognizing...
Youāre Still Breathing, So Chill
In this episode, we dive into the art of not taking life too seriously. If youāre still breathing, guess what? Youāve still got time to find joy, heal, and ask for what you truly want. Enjoying the ride matters more than chasing perfec...
Navigating Grief This Holiday Season
Grief during the holidays can be especially hard. In this episode, we talk about the emotional challenges of navigating loss during a time meant for joy. Our guest, Quintin, shares his personal experience with grief and offers valuable insights...
Tis the Season for Questions
Letās dive into some thought-provoking questions! The goal? To get your brain buzzing and spark some curiosity. Iāll answer a few, but leave others hangingābecause sometimes, the best insights come from the questions weāre still thinking about....
Let Go of the Outcome, Embrace the Process
In this episode, we dive into the stress that creeps in when we believe we can't handle a situation. It's all too easy to get overwhelmed by the pressure of needing to "get it right" or rushing toward the outcome. But here's the twist: focusing...
The Era of Doom Scrolling
Discover how to reclaim years of your life, uncover the hidden reasons behind your spending habits (hint: it might be a trauma response), and get surprising tips for saving on Christmas gifts. Donāt miss this episode packed with insights to hel...
Love Language: Whatās Your Style?
Whether youāre looking to strengthen your relationships or deepen your self-awareness, this episode offers valuable insight on five love languages. Check these articles for more in-depth insights on love languages discussed in this...