About this episode
In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with D'Layne Benson about navigating burnout, self-abandonment, and the transformative power of breathwork for overwhelmed women. D'Layne shares her journey from the ski resort town of Haley, Idaho, highlighting the impact of over-functioning as a nurse, the emotional toll of family demands, and the personal reckoning brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This conversation is packed with actionable insight on nervous system regulation, finding joy, and creating boundaries—key lessons for anyone feeling stretched too thin.D'Layne Benson is a former nurse turned nurse coach and breathwork facilitator, devoted to helping perfectionist, people-pleasing, and overachieving women move from overwhelm to balance, joy, and self-acceptance. Based in Idaho, she draws on her own experience of burnout, family caregiving, and personal growth to support women in uncovering their patterns and building tailored strategies for healing. D'Layne offers both group breathwork classes and one-to-one coaching, specializing in trauma-informed, transformative methods for nervous system regulation.Main Topics Covered:Caring for others vs. caring for yourself: How self-abandonment develops and shows up in high-achieving womenThe realities of burnout as a nurse in rural and pandemic-era IdahoUnderstanding the freeze response and nervous system dysregulation beyond “fight or flight”Breaking patterns of people-pleasing and perfectionism, especially at midlifeThe intersection of personal upheaval (career, health, family illness) and hormonal changes (perimenopause)How breathwork can foster insight, healing, and tangible emotional releaseSteps for moving from overwhelm to joy: list-making, boundaries, and intentional transitionsThe value of finding fun, building presence, and redefining achievement beyond productivityQuote from the Episode: "I was trying to control my husband, I was trying to control my stepson, I was helicopter momming him, I was trying to control my in-laws, I was trying to control my parents. I was trying to control every aspect of life. ... While I felt the control was giving me safety, it was actually the thing that was keeping me from living a beautiful life and thriving." — D'Layne BensonTimestamps: [00:00:06] Welcome to The Ar
