Shadowing Practice: How to Truly Fall in Love with Yourself | Slow English Podcast for Beginner | A1-A2 - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
A2
Hi everyone!
350 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Hi everyone!
2
Welcome back to Podcast and Chill.
3
I'm Leo.
4
And I'm Gwen.
5
It's great to have you with us again.
6
How have you all been?
7
I hope you're taking care of yourselves.
8
Speaking of that, Leo, you sound a bit tired today.
9
Everything okay?
10
Is it that obvious?
11
Yeah, I've been staying up way too late these days.
12
I get home very tired,
13
but then I'm still doing laundry at 11pm because this voice in my head says I need to be getting things done.
14
Then it hits me that I haven't replied to those work emails,
15
so I check my phone to just take a quick look.
16
Next thing I know it's 2am.
17
I'm wide awake scrolling on my phone telling myself,
18
five more minutes, then I'll sleep.
19
Oh, Leo, I understand.
20
We become so busy taking care of everything else.
21
Our jobs, responsibilities, other people's needs.
22
So busy that we completely forget about the one person who needs our care the most.
23
Ourselves.
24
Yeah, I have a feeling so many of us are stuck in this circle,
25
making sure everyone else is okay.
26
But when someone asks, how are you, really?
27
We don't even know how to answer.
28
That makes me wonder, how do you love yourself?
29
I don't mean just the Instagram kind of self-care,
30
but the real, everyday kind.
31
And when you're out of energy,
32
do you know how to be gentle with yourself?
33
Do you know what your heart is asking for?
34
Because I think, I've been treating myself like I'm bottom of the list.
35
Everyone and everything else always comes first.
36
So here's what I want everyone to hear.
37
Whether you're a man or a woman,
38
you deserve to be loved.
39
Especially by yourself.
40
Loving for yourself doesn't mean you're selfish.
41
Taking a break isn't a sign of weakness.
42
Loving yourself is so much more than bubble baths and face masks.
43
It goes much, much deeper than that.
44
Sometimes I worry I've forgotten what that even looks like,
45
how to truly care for myself.
46
I think that's why it's so important we talk about this.
47
Because when you truly take care of yourself,
48
it's incredible how it makes everything different.
49
Your health, your relationships, even the way you show up in the world.
50
Really?
51
How so?
52
Well, when I get enough sleep,
53
eat healthy, and allow myself real rest.
54
I notice my body feel stronger,
55
I get sick less, I have more energy,
56
even my skin looks better.
57
I never thought about it that way before.
58
It helps my relationships too.
59
When I feel happy, I have more patience and can give time to the people I love.
60
That makes sense.
61
For me, if I actually sleep well,
62
I'm way more fun to be around.
63
Exactly!
64
Instead of snapping at people or shutting down,
65
you can respond with calm and kindness.
66
You can actually enjoy connecting with people,
67
not just try to survive them.
68
It's like when your phone is fully charged, everything just runs smoother.
69
Right.
70
But here's what happens when we keep ignoring what we need.
71
We fall into this terrible cycle.
72
You get very tired, then blame yourself for it.
73
Then you make mistakes and feel more upset.
74
You try more but it doesn't help.
75
You're left thinking, Why can't I keep it together?
76
I feel that, but I think some people might be confused about what self-care actually means.
77
Because sometimes my version of self-care is online shopping for things that I don't need or watching shows until 3am.
78
That's such an important point, Leo.
79
There's a huge difference between truly caring for yourself and just escaping or avoiding.
80
Real self-love isn't about giving up on responsibility.
81
It's about pausing to ask,
82
what will my future self thank me for doing today?
83
Sometimes the kindest choices rest.
84
Other times, it's doing the difficult thing like going to bed early or having a tough talk.
85
So it's not just whatever feels good in the moment?
86
True self-care might mean saying no to plans when you're tired,
87
but it's also about saying yes to something better.
88
And keeping the promises you make to yourself.
89
It's deciding, I love myself enough to choose what's truly best for me,
90
not just what's easiest.
91
Like, I respect myself enough to cook a healthy meal even
92
when I'm tired because I know I'll feel so much better afterward.
93
Or setting limits at work even when it's uncomfortable,
94
because you refuse to let work burn you out.
95
Real self-care is investing in your peace,
96
your health, and for a long-term happiness, not just short-term comfort.
97
It's like stepping into the role of your own best friend,
98
someone who cheers for your joy,
99
but also encourages your growth and wants you to be proud of the person you are.
100
But then the question becomes,
101
how do we do that?
102
How do we love ourselves in the right way?
103
Yeah, I think a lot of us know we should,
104
but we don't always know where to start.
105
For me, it starts with something simple.
106
Listen to my body.
107
When I feel that tiredness creeping in,
108
instead of pushing through and telling myself,
109
just one more hour, I actually stop.
110
Even if my to-do list isn't finished,
111
I let myself rest for five or ten minutes.
112
It gives my mind and body a chance to recover.
113
That's hard for me.
114
I always feel guilty when I stop before everything's done.
115
I used to feel that way too.
116
But you don't have to run at full speed every single day.
117
Slowing down is how you go further.
118
Like a marathon, not a sprint?
119
Uh-huh.
120
And it's not just rest.
121
It's also giving your body good fuel.
122
Choosing fresh food over fast food when you can,
123
and adding fruits and vegetables.
124
Drinking enough water so your body actually has what it needs to work.
125
Man, I'm terrible at that.
126
I'll work through lunch and then wonder why I feel awful at 3pm.
127
I get it.
128
But even small changes help.
129
Movement does too.
130
Don't force yourself into hard workouts you hate.
131
Choose movement that feels good.
132
A walk outside, some gentle stretching when you wake up,
133
a bit of yoga.
134
The goal isn't to punish your body into shape.
135
It's to move in a way that makes you feel alive and strong.
136
And sleep!
137
I know I need to work on that.
138
Try going to bed at the same time every night.
139
Put your phone away 30 minutes before sleep.
140
Your brain needs to slow down.
141
The phone thing is so hard though.
142
Just 5 more minutes turns into 2 hours lost.
143
I know it is.
144
But when you started putting sleep first, everything else got easier.
145
Your mood, and even how you handle stress.
146
What about taking care of my mind,
147
like when everything feels too heavy inside my head.
148
That's just as important as physical care.
149
For the mind, maybe try just five minutes of quiet meditation in the morning.
150
Or journaling.
151
Writing all those thoughts out of your head can be a huge relief.
152
I feel like I just need to talk it out.
153
But I hate feeling like I'm throwing my problems on someone.
154
Having someone you trust to talk to isn't a burden, Leo.
155
It's being human.
156
We're not meant to carry everything alone.
157
I guess it has something to do with how I talk to myself when no one else is around.
158
Oh, right.
159
The voice in your head.
160
It can be your biggest supporter or your worst bully.
161
Mine is definitely more of a bully.
162
I make one mistake, I immediately think,
163
you're such an idiot, or can't you do anything right?
164
Leo, you are too hard on yourself.
165
What if, in that moment,
166
you said, I made a mistake, and that's okay.
167
I'm still learning.
168
Or, I'm doing my best with what I have right now.
169
That feels almost too kind.
170
Like, I don't deserve that gentleness.
171
But think about it.
172
If your best friend came to you,
173
upset about a mistake, would you ever call them stupid?
174
Or would you remind them that everyone makes mistakes?
175
I'd definitely be kind to them.
176
So, why not give yourself that same kindness?
177
You deserve to hear gentle, caring words too.
178
Maybe I should try giving myself credit when I do things well, even the smallest.
179
Yes, cheers to the tiny wins!
180
After you finish a task,
181
if it's just washing the dishes,
182
you can say, Good job,
183
I took care of that.
184
And at the end of each day,
185
write down three things you did well.
186
Three things every day?
187
That seems like a lot.
188
They don't need to be big.
189
It could be, I drank enough water today,
190
I was kind to a co-worker,
191
or I called my mom back.
192
The point is training your brain to notice your efforts,
193
not just your failures.
194
Speaking of things that make me feel good,
195
I miss doing things I actually enjoy.
196
When did hobbies become a waste of time?
197
Hmm, when was the last time you did something for the joy of it?
198
Not because it was useful,
199
but because it made your heart feel lighter?
200
I used to love playing guitar,
201
but now I just see it sitting there and think,
202
I should be doing something more important.
203
Leo, the time you use for things you love,
204
like reading, painting, guitar, or gardening, is not wasted time.
205
Those are the moments when your soul can breathe.
206
That's actually really wise.
207
What if you scheduled it?
208
Like, Sunday afternoons are for guitar.
209
That time is yours.
210
Work and chores can wait.
211
You mean making it official?
212
Yeah.
213
If you don't protect it, everything else will.
214
When you finally make time for what brings you joy,
215
for being yourself, your heart will remember what it feels like to truly smile from the inside.
216
And now, I want to ask everyone listening,
217
what's one small thing you do that makes you feel loved by yourself?
218
Maybe it's making your favorite tea,
219
or singing in the car,
220
or taking a long shower.
221
Yeah, share it with us,
222
because maybe your little act of self-love might inspire someone else to find theirs.
223
It's amazing that sharing our journey can light the way for others.
224
It really shows how much our environment and the people around us can shape our habits,
225
for better or worse.
226
Actually, it got me thinking about the people I spend time with.
227
There's a problem with it, right?
228
Yeah, it's just, I have this one friend.
229
Every time we hang out,
230
I come home feeling tired.
231
He always complains and only sees the bad in things.
232
I started to see the world like he does.
233
Oh, Leo.
234
Some people's energy is just.. heavy.
235
It can weigh you down,
236
even when they don't mean to.
237
I know about that, but I feel so guilty even thinking that,
238
because we've been friends for so long.
239
Here's the thing.
240
Their bad thoughts are real for them, but not for you.
241
Those thoughts belong to them.
242
You don't need to carry them.
243
So it's okay to protect myself from that?
244
Absolutely.
245
Saying no when you need to is about respecting yourself, not being selfish.
246
You still can love someone from a distance if being close to them hurts your peace.
247
I really needed to hear that.
248
It makes the guilt feel a little lighter,
249
but it's still hard to act on.
250
Even saying no sometimes feels scary.
251
But every time you say no to something that drains you,
252
you're saying yes to your own well-being.
253
What about online?
254
I catch myself scrolling through bad news and then I feel uneasy the whole day.
255
I know that feeling.
256
We must be careful with bad things we see.
257
Too much bad news or fighting online can stay with you all day.
258
I had to unfollow accounts that made me feel angry or hopeless.
259
Now I follow people who share things that lift me up.
260
Like, there's this baker I follow who creates these cute cakes while talking about learning to accept herself.
261
It's wonderful.
262
I always like musicians.
263
I love seeing artists share their creative process.
264
Watching someone like Bruno Mars create music with pure joy.
265
It reminds me why creativity matters.
266
Really?
267
That's so cool!
268
For me, it's Taylor Swift.
269
It's more than the music.
270
It's her stories, her honesty, and her resilience.
271
Seeing how she handles her career pushes me to be better.
272
Wow!
273
Now that I realize that who we watch and what we listen to really changes how we feel!
274
Yeah!
275
It's not just about avoiding the bad stuff.
276
It's about choosing what inspires you.
277
And it's not only people.
278
Your space matters, too.
279
A clean desk or bedroom makes your head feel lighter.
280
Ah, that explains a lot.
281
When my room is messy,
282
my mind feels messy too.
283
It seems small, but it feels like you're doing a kindness for your future self.
284
Setting them up for a good day instead of handing them a mess to clean up.
285
Do you what is funny?
286
When I'm feeling good about myself,
287
I want to make other people feel good too.
288
Like, I'll text a friend just to tell them I'm thinking of them.
289
That's beautiful.
290
Sharing a bit of kindness,
291
passing on something that made you smile.
292
It goes from one person to another.
293
You're not only making someone's day better,
294
you're also keeping that good feeling in yourself.
295
So for all of you still here with us,
296
take a look around and ask yourself gently,
297
is this helping me or hurting me?
298
Because your peace is special.
299
Choose to spend it on what makes you feel calm and respected.
300
Hearing you say that, it clicks for me.
301
Protecting our peace is also about saying a brave yes to the new things that light us up.
302
That's such a nice way to see it.
303
Can you tell me more?
304
Well, it's like, our comfort zone is cozy,
305
but it can also feel a bit boring after some time.
306
I think an important part of self-love is believing we deserve new experiences.
307
Yes.
308
It can be a tiny, curious step.
309
Like finally signing up for that art class you've always scrolled past online.
310
Or trying a new restaurant,
311
taking a different road on your morning walk.
312
When you try something new,
313
you meet a different side of yourself.
314
Maybe you find a hidden skill,
315
or just remember how fun it feels to start fresh.
316
That good feeling gives you energy.
317
So try one new thing you might enjoy this week.
318
It's a gift for your future self.
319
And I want to say this directly to our friends who are listening right now.
320
If you're thinking, but where do I even begin?
321
That's okay.
322
And that gentle gift I mentioned?
323
It can be exactly that.
324
Something that small.
325
Maybe tomorrow, you drink one extra glass of water.
326
I know change is hard.
327
I still struggle to go to bed early because my body is used to running on 2am.
328
But those tiny wins, they add up.
329
Those small choices are the opposite of what we're often sold.
330
The idea that self-love is something you buy.
331
Like, if I had the money for spa days and vacations,
332
then I could really care for myself.
333
What do you think?
334
Is money the real key to self-love?
335
I'd love to hear your guys' thoughts on this.
336
There's no right or wrong answer here,
337
it's just your own opinion.
338
Because what does truly loving yourself actually look like in your everyday life?
339
Maybe it's different for everyone,
340
and maybe, that's the most beautiful part.
341
Thank you for being with us today,
342
and for giving yourself this time to think about how you deserve to be loved.
343
And remember, just by choosing to be here,
344
you've already taken a step.
345
This is Podcast and Chill.
346
I'm Gwen.
347
And I'm Leo.
348
We'll see you next time.
349
Until then, be gentle with yourself.
350
you
Download App
AI scoring for every sentence you speak
TRENDING
Popular
Context & Background
In this episode of the Slow English Podcast, hosts Leo and Gwen engage in a heartfelt conversation about the importance of self-love and self-care. They address how many of us prioritize our responsibilities, jobs, and the needs of others over our own well-being. Leo shares a personal experience of how he finds himself working late into the night, neglecting his own needs due to a relentless cycle of tasks. This dialogue resonates with listeners as it encourages reflection on their own self-care habits and the significance of truly caring for oneself amidst life's chaos.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- How have you all been? - A friendly way to inquire about someone's well-being.
- I hope you're taking care of yourselves. - An expression showing concern for others' self-care.
- That's obvious! - A conversational way of acknowledging someone's feelings or condition.
- Do you know how to be gentle with yourself? - Encouraging reflection on self-compassion.
- You're bottom of the list. - A phrase indicating you are prioritizing others over yourself.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
To effectively use this video for English speaking practice, you can implement the shadowing technique as follows:
- Watch the video: Start by watching the episode to grasp the overall context and tone of the discussion.
- Listen actively: Play the video again, but this time focus on how Leo and Gwen communicate. Pay attention to their intonation and pronunciation.
- Repeat aloud: Use the shadow speech method; pause the video after each sentence and try to mimic the speakers exactly as they say it. This will help improve your pronunciation and speaking rhythm.
- Record yourself: After a few rounds of shadowing, record yourself repeating the phrases. Compare your recording with the original to identify areas of improvement.
- Practice daily: Integrate daily shadowspeaks into your routine by repeating the phrases during your commutes or other free moments. This consistent practice will enhance your fluency over time.
By following this structured approach, you can effectively improve your English skills while also internalizing the valuable lessons about self-care and compassion offered in the podcast.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
☕ Buy us a coffee
ShadowingEnglish remains 100% free thanks to your support. Server and AI costs are high — your coffee keeps us going! 🙏