Lessons, Low Self Esteem and Love Is Blind UK with Tom Stroud

In this episode, Taylor interviews Tom Stroud, a contestant on the Netflix show Love is Blind UK.
They have a waffle about the importance of mental health and the impact of internet trolls.
They also delve into their personal experiences with low self-esteem and the role of therapy in their lives. Tom shares how his childhood experiences shaped his view of himself and his relationships with others. They explore the concept of ego and the lessons learnt from their respective journeys.
In this conversation, Tom and Taylor discuss the dangers of having a biassed support system and the importance of seeking honest feedback. They also explore coping mechanisms, such as therapy and journaling, and the misconceptions around self-care practices. They delve into the impact of social media on mental health, the challenges of being in the public eye, and the need for authenticity.
Tom shares his reasons for applying to a reality TV show and the lessons he learnt from the experience. They discuss the power of music as a coping mechanism and share their favourite songs. The conversation concludes with a reflection on ego and the importance of having open and honest conversations

[@julest5767]

it broke my heart when Tom and Maria stumbled on the issues that broke them up. I felt like they really loved each other and were well matched and each contributed to seeing how they didn't align but forgot how each really paired well with each other. For example, Maria really embodied the humility and prioritizing family that Tom needed to be reminded of and Tom was really good at being that strong provider that Maria wanted. They could have done well with therapy, IMHO. The explanation from Tom that he didn't want his daughter to think a man paid for everything rang so hollow with me. Children grow up and make so many of their own decisions about things and they are influenced by their peers. Maria had already moved so far away from many of the trapping of her culture that she is a blended culture person, IMHO based only on seeing her on a TV show.

[@sarajinki]

Loved this conversation!

[@cookeechoc8824]

I'm a woman and going through exactly the same situation that Tom described, with my mother. Same problem with the fluctuating ego - either low self-esteem or massive ego. I've been heart-broken my whole life over this situation.

[@adrianadavis1848]

What a beautiful podcast episode - unique to the usual surface level conversations these LIB participants get.

[@MGold00]

Tom needs to grow up. Men r providers (breadwinner) & protectors. Clearly ur father was not their to teach that. And Maria was not expecting u to do everything for her. She has her own business.

[@dukesheshou6801]

u don't get to decide what men should be

[@user-rs3qn9vp3q]

Too much laughing, whyyy do podcasters think this is cute! Pls just get on with it

[@NomaKhabo]

Whilst he may have gained the ‘empathy’ and ‘compassion’ he thinks he got from his mother, it doesn’t change the fact that there are things he missed from not having a father figure in his life, such as being prepared to be a provider and a breadwinner. There are lessons a mother cannot provide which a man can. None of it is his fault that he had a single mother and no sensible father figure in his life. Nevertheless, I think he is at risk of replicating his father’s absence and potentially not being a provider, just based on seeing the way he handled the whole Maria and Tash dating process: 1. Him and Maria’s values were mismatched from the outset and he should have realised that then called it a day from that point. She was also at fault because she used her sexual energy as a thirst trap and it succeeded for her, even though short lived. Which is a dynamic that happens in real life not in the pods, hence we end up with broken relationships and single parent household. Him and Tash were very matched based on modern values, but it seemed to be something he overlooked in the pods when Maria’s sexual energy took over. 2. Love triangles are always a red flag and it should have been a red flag for Maria seeing how he was in deep connection with two women at the same time. Even Cameron himself the king of Love is Blind has said in the past love triangles don’t make sense and you have to question the seriousness of the people involved. Again, love triangles happen in real life and they don’t tend to turn out well, they result in broken families. It’s ironic and fascinating that the superficial dating app dynamic he described in London is what he ended up bringing to the pods.