In Episode 233 – Not So Happy Mission Memories, I'm diving into a topic I know so many missionaries and returned missionaries quietly carry: the moments from the mission that didn't feel joyful, spiritual, or "life-changing" in the way we were told they would. In this episode, I talk openly about disappointment, unmet expectations, mission culture, emotional complexity, grief, and the real challenges that come when people—including mission presidents, companions, district leaders, roommates, or members—don't show up the way we hoped they would. I also share more about the new article I wrote for the Church and why this emotional work matters so deeply, especially with the recent age-change for sister missionaries.

I walk you through five gentle but powerful themes for healing: finding safe support, grieving unmet expectations, exploring your inner narrative, understanding others through compassion, and offering yourself the same gentleness that the Savior offers you. Together, we'll talk about reframing your mission experience, processing emotions instead of avoiding them, navigating disappointment, creating new meaning, and how faith, agency, and emotional resilience help you move forward with confidence. Healing doesn't mean condoning what happened—it means reclaiming your power, your peace, and your future.

Whether you're freshly returned, years post-mission, preparing to leave, or supporting someone who served, this episode will help you feel seen, validated, understood, and reminded that transformation often comes through the messiest parts of our story. You are not behind. You're not broken. And you're never alone as you sort through your not-so-happy mission memories.

As always, if you found this episode helpful, I want to invite you to subscribe if you aren't already, share this episode with your friends and missionaries you know, and write a review. I know this work will help LDS missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

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5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE

Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE

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