Life Update: My Transfer, The Wildest Wedding & Why I’m Disappearing
On this episode of the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, host Mari Llewellyn candidly details her IVF journey, from navigating medications and their physical and emotional tolls to prioritizing self-care and mental health support. She shares her approach to social media during this pivotal process, preferring the intimacy of her podcast over unpredictable platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Llewellyn also emphasizes finding solace in joyful activities and loved ones. She describes an alcohol-free celebration at a friend's wedding in Mexico, embracing the magic of the occasion while remaining present and focused on her IVF treatment. Throughout, Llewellyn advocates self-compassion and connection with others who have undergone similar experiences.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 27, 2025 episode of the Pursuit of Wellness
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1-Page Summary
Mari's IVF Journey and Current Experiences
IVF Medications and Side Effects
Mari Llewellyn openly shares the physical and emotional challenges she faces during IVF preparations. As she gets ready for embryo transfer, she undergoes a demanding regimen of medications like progesterone injections, hormonal treatments, and various suppositories. These cause side effects such as dizziness and lack of focus, but Mari stresses self-compassion and recognizes these steps as essential for her journey.
Prioritizing Mental Health
To protect her mental health during this pivotal stage, Mari plans a complete social media break after embryo transfer. While excited about the process, she remains "cautiously optimistic," managing expectations after previous disappointments, as shared by Llewellyn.
Navigating Social Media and Openness During IVF
Preferring the Podcast Over Social Media
Mari finds sharing her IVF journey on her podcast more comfortable than on unpredictable social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. She confides in her "power girls" listeners, citing the need for focus amidst rude, presumptuous comments about potential pregnancy on social media.
Maintaining Privacy Until Later Stages
Despite her usual openness, Mari intends to withhold any pregnancy announcement until after the first trimester due to fears and risks in early stages, as explained by her.
Balancing Self-Care and IVF Demands
Embracing Calm, Joyful Activities
Mari emphasizes incorporating calming, mindful activities like baking, nature walks, and spending time with loved ones to reduce stress during IVF. She recommends treating life as if already pregnant and connecting with others who have undergone IVF for support.
Finding Solace in Hobbies and Loved Ones
Specific activities like baking sourdough, spending time with horses and other animals, and cherishing moments with friends and family provide Mari solace as she copes with IVF demands.
Mexico Trip: An Alcohol-Free Celebration
A friend's wedding in Mexico allowed Mari a joyful respite without alcohol during her IVF process. She pridefully enjoyed the magical festivities while remaining fully present and sober.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a personal wellness journal to track your physical and emotional health during challenging periods. Start by noting daily physical symptoms, mood changes, and any self-care activities you engage in. This can help you identify patterns and adjust your routine to better support your well-being. For example, if you notice increased stress on days you have medical appointments, you might schedule a relaxing activity afterward, like a gentle yoga session or a favorite hobby.
- Develop a custom "celebration kit" for use during significant milestones or challenging times that are alcohol-free and focused on self-care. Fill a box with items like non-alcoholic sparkling beverages, luxurious bath products, a new book, or a puzzle. When you need a pick-me-up or have something to celebrate, you'll have a go-to source of enjoyment that supports your current lifestyle choices.
- Organize a small support group with friends or community members who are also going through similar life challenges. Meet regularly to share experiences, offer support, and engage in group activities that promote relaxation and joy, such as group cooking sessions, craft nights, or book clubs. This creates a sense of community and shared understanding, making the journey feel less isolating.
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Mari's Ivf Journey and Current Experiences
Mari openly shares her experiences with IVF, providing an intimate look into the challenges and emotional moments she faces during her journey to parenthood.
Mari Prepares For Embryo Transfer With Ivf Medications
Mari is undergoing a series of medications in preparation for her upcoming embryo transfer, which includes progesterone shots administered in her buttocks that can be painful and other hormonal treatments like endometrian. In addition to these, she is taking various suppositories, oral medications, and injections.
Mari Experiences Ivf Medication Side Effects Like Dizziness and Anxiety, but Remains Committed to Transparency About Her Journey
She has also been experiencing side effects such as dizziness from the new medications, which leave her feeling unfocused and unwell, especially during her workday. Despite these challenges, Mari stresses the significance of self-compassion during the demanding IVF process. She recognizes the toll the hormones and medications take on her body but remains resolute, acknowledging these steps as essential in her journey towards building a baby.
Mari Plans Social Media Break for Mental Health During Embryo Transfer
To stay in a positive mindset, Mari has decided to take a complete break from social media after her embryo transfer. This decision underlines her commitment to safeguarding her mental health and ensuri ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Mari's Ivf Journey and Current Experiences
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Create a personal wellness journal to track your physical and emotional responses to medical treatments. By documenting your symptoms, mood, and overall well-being daily, you can identify patterns and triggers that may be related to your treatment. This can help you communicate more effectively with your healthcare provider and make necessary adjustments to your care plan.
- Develop a self-care toolkit that includes activities and items to help manage side effects and stress. This could consist of relaxation techniques, such as guided meditations or breathing exercises, comforting items like a weighted blanket or a favorite book, and a list of supportive friends or family members to call when you need to t ...
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Navigating Social Media and Openness During IVF
Mari Llewellyn, while on her fertility journey, navigates the complexities of sharing her experiences online and opts for the safer space of her podcast over the unpredictability of social media platforms.
Mari Finds Sharing Her IVF Journey On Her Podcast More Comfortable Than on Social Media
Mari expresses that sharing her IVF journey on Instagram and TikTok feels too vulnerable due to the unpredictability of algorithms. She is more comfortable discussing her experiences with her podcast listeners, whom she affectionately refers to as the "power girls." Mari also highlights the focus required for her fertility journey and how it led her to pause having guests on her podcast. She emphasizes her dislike for canceling on people and suggests that the variable nature of her IVF journey makes it difficult to commit to interviews, explaining her preference for sharing her experiences through her podcast instead.
Mari Receives Insensitive Comments About Her Fertility Journey
On social media, Mari has encountered insensitive behavior, with people making presumptuous comments about her being pregnant, based on pictures that receive significant attention. These experiences of rude comments and unsolicited speculation contribute to her discomfort with sharing detail ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Navigating Social Media and Openness During IVF
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Create a personal audio diary to document sensitive life experiences, using a voice recorder app to capture thoughts and feelings in a private, controlled environment. This allows you to reflect on personal challenges without the unpredictability of social media reactions and the pressure of public scrutiny. For example, if you're going through a significant life change like a career shift or a health journey, record regular entries to track your progress and emotional state.
- Establish a dedicated support group with close friends or like-minded individuals to discuss personal journeys, similar to Mari's "power girls." This can be done through messaging apps or virtual meetings, providing a safe space to share experiences and receive encouragement. For instance, if you're working towards a fitness goal or dealing with a long-term project, having a small, trusted group to share updates with can offer motivation and accountability.
- Set clear boundaries for social interactions, especially during ...
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Balancing Personal Life and Self-Care During Ivf
As Mari embarks on her IVF journey, she emphasizes the importance of self-care and stress reduction, sharing how she has incorporated calm and joyful activities into her routine for balance and well-being.
Mari Prioritizes Self-Care and Stress Reduction During Ivf
Mari treats the time post-transfer as a sacred period in her life and offers advice to others going through similar experiences.
Mari Finds Solace In Baking, Nature, and Connecting With Loved Ones For Wellbeing
Mari advises those undergoing IVF to engage in calming activities to manage stress. She suggests walking, spending time with animals and loved ones, and developing hobbies like cooking and painting. Embracing changes and preparing for stresses ahead, she recommends treating life as if one is already pregnant and speaks of the benefits of connecting with women who have gone through IVF.
Further, Mari talks about embracing a slower, more mindful lifestyle, which includes baking sourdough, investing time in nature with her horses, and cherishing moments with friends, family, and her animals. Activities like baking sourdough bread and connecting with nature and loved ones offer her solace and help her cope. She also stresses how prioritizing self-care is crucial during the IVF process.
Mari emphasizes that life may be different during this ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Balancing Personal Life and Self-Care During Ivf
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Create a self-care IVF journal to document daily activities and feelings, which can include prompts for gratitude, reflections on therapy sessions, or tracking moments of relaxation to encourage mindfulness and self-awareness during the IVF journey.
- Keeping a journal tailored to the IVF experience allows you to monitor your emotional well-being, identify stress patterns, and find comfort in expressing your thoughts. For example, you might write about a peaceful moment you had while drinking your morning tea or the supportive conversation you had with a friend.
- Designate a "sanctuary space" in your home where you can retreat for quiet time, equipped with comforting items like a soft blanket, calming scents, and soothing music to create a personalized relaxation haven.
- Having a dedicated space for tranquility can serve as a physical reminder to take breaks and practice self-care. You might use this area to meditate, read uplifting stories, or simply sit in silence, away from the usual hustle of daily life.
- Start a "sober celebration" challenge with friends or family where ...
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