The Art of Saying No (Without Losing Your Southern Card) | EP36

In this episode, Trish and Karen tackle one of life’s greatest challenges: saying no — especially when you were raised in the South where "yes ma’am" is practically a birthright.

From dodging social invites to navigating friendship boundaries without feeling like a monster, they swap stories about people-pleasing gone wrong, the art of graciously declining, and why sometimes self-care looks a lot like staying home in sweatpants with your dog.

They also recount a truly unforgettable night — complete with over-the-top home décor, unexpected hospitality, and a Golden Girls viewing party that took a hard left turn.

If you’ve ever RSVP’d “yes” when your soul was screaming “girl, stay home” — this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

📍Saying no is hard — especially if you were raised to “be polite at all costs.”

📍Boundaries don’t push people away — they build better friendships (and less resentful hosts).

📍Asking for details before you commit is your new superpower.

📍A small circle of trusted friends > a big crowd every time.

📍It’s okay to choose peace (and pajamas) over plans.

📍Not every invitation is mandatory — even in the South.

📍Dogs make great company — and even better excuses to leave early.

📍Unexpected hospitality makes the best (and sometimes wildest) stories.

📍Humor helps everything — especially awkward exits.

📍The pandemic changed the way we socialize — and that’s okay.

📍It’s normal to feel overwhelmed — know when to step back.

📍Self-care starts with saying no when you need to.

📍Protecting your peace is essential — not selfish.

📍Being gracious doesn’t mean giving up your boundaries.

📍Sharing stories (especially the messy ones) is how we stay connected.

📍Dog ownership brings joy... and a few challenges.

📍Saying no prevents burnout — and a whole lot of resentment.

 

Socials & Links 

🔗Music by Butch Walker...check him out on  Spotify

Trish Suhr

Website | Trish Suhr 🔗https://www.trishsuhr.com/

Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/trishsuhr/

Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/trishsuhr/

YouTube 🔗https://www.youtube.com/user/trishsuhr

Twitter 🔗https://twitter.com/TrishSuhr 

Karen Mills

Website | Karen Mills Comedy  🔗https://www.karenmills.com/

Instagram 🔗https://www.instagram.com/karenmillscomedy/

Facebook 🔗https://www.facebook.com/karenmillscomedian/

YouTube 🔗https://www.youtube.com/c/KarenMillscomedy

Twitter 🔗https://twitter.com/kmillscomedy 

  Chapters:

00:00 The Struggle of Saying No 06:59 Navigating Social Commitments 14:05 A Night to Remember: The Golden Girls Experience 16:49 A Night to Remember: Unexpected Hospitality 19:02 The Glazed Over Experience: When Socializing Becomes Overwhelming 21:54 Navigating Social Expectations: The Art of Saying No 25:52 Finding Balance: Protecting Your Peace 29:02 The Joys and Challenges of Dog Ownership

  #sayingno #peoplepleasing #socialcommitments #friendshipbalance