If you’ve ever said “I’m fine” when you’re anything but, or said “yes” when every fibre of your being wanted to say “no”, this episode is for you.

People-pleasing can quietly erode your ability to self-advocate, and you might not even realise you’re doing it.

Luan is joined by empowerment coach Belinda Stark to explore why it’s so hard to speak up, how to spot the signs that you’re slipping into people-pleasing mode, and what it really looks like to set boundaries that honour your needs without guilt or apology.

It’s a warm, insightful and laugh-out-loud conversation about taking up space, letting go of guilt, and learning when to give fewer f**ks - so you might want to pop your headphones in if little ones are around.

In this episode we explore:

• What people-pleasing looks like
• Why saying “I’m fine” can be a red flag
• The guilt many women feel around setting boundaries
• Belinda’s NFA method: a simple tool for asking for what you need
• How to soften your “no” (without diluting it)
• Why pausing before you respond can shift everything
• The power of a hand on your heart and how to stay composed in tough conversations
• When choosing not to speak up can still be an act of self-advocacy

For the links to all the resources mentioned in this show, go to the episode blog page.

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Disclaimer

CREDITS:

Host & Producer: Luan Lawrenson-Woods, Self-Health Advocate

Sound engineering: Paddy from Goosewing Sounds Ltd (UK)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.