Lemons and Pineapples

Episode 3: How to get Comfortable with the Discomfort of Being Alone - with Anna Zannides

Emma O'Brien Season 2 Episode 3

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Have you ever felt incredibly lonely? Perhaps you’re currently single and desperately wishing you weren’t, if so, this episode is for you.

Being alone, especially when you don’t want to be, is excruciating, but the irony is that when you learn to enjoy your own company, your life can change for the better.

In this episode my guest, break-up coach and Buddhist, Anna Zannides shares her journey to aloneness and unpacks exactly what it takes to feel at peace with yourself regardless of your relationship status.

Episode highlights:

  • The difference between being lonely and being alone
  • Why there’s societal shame directed at single people
  • The power of learning to enjoy your own company
  • How ‘not wanting’ is key to inner peace
  • Avoiding the trap of a relationship that’s convenient
  • Using negative emotions as signals
  • Finding peace by sitting with the very thing that’s not peaceful
  • The physical toll of unhappiness
  • A relationship reality check
  • Reading resources: ‘The Biology of belief’ - Bruce Lipton, ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ - Bessel van der Kolk, ‘When the Body Says No’ - Gabor Mate


Navigating the journey of self-validation rather than seeking external validation has been a recurring topic on the podcast and this episode puts another interesting spin on this powerful topic.

Visit Anna’s website: www.annazannides.com

Buy Anna’s book ‘How Did I get Here’ on Amazon here.

Connect with Anna on Instagram @annazannides here.

If you’re done playing small and ready to lead yourself — you’re in the right place.

I’m Emma O’Brien — Martha Beck trained and certified life coach, HeartMath practitioner, and shamanic healer helping high-achieving women stop second-guessing themselves and finally trust their own voice.

Through nervous system re-calibration, strategic coaching, and deep energetic work, I help you move from self-doubt to self-trust so you can create a life you actually want to be in — no external approval required.

🌀 Want to work together?

Explore the 6-week Nervous System Reset, 1:1 coaching, or Shamanic Soul Retrieval sessions here: emmaobriencoach.com

Questions or ready to chat?

DM me on Instagram @emmaobriencoach
or book a free connection call HERE.