People Pleasing Is Fueling Your Anxiety | Set Boundaries Without Feeling Selfish

In this episode, Michaela (certified life coach) and Sarah (certified health coach) talk about why people pleasing can drive anxiety, resentment, and disconnection.

You will hear what changes when you start saying no, why “selfish” gets used as a weapon, and how to have the kind of conversations that protect your relationship instead of slowly draining it.

Practical takeaways you can use today

Name your real need before you speak
Ask yourself: What do I need right now, and what do I want to protect
Try: “I want to help, and I need some time to think before I say yes.”

Say no in a clean way
Skip long explanations. Long stories invite debate.
Try: “I can’t do that.”
Or: “That doesn’t work for me.”

Offer a clear alternative when you mean it
Try: “I can do Friday, not tonight.”
Or: “I can help for 30 minutes, then I need to stop.”

Expect pushback from people who benefited from your silence
If someone feels entitled to your yes, your no will feel like a problem to them.
Ask yourself: Are they upset because I hurt them, or because I changed the rules

Build emotional safety before you ask for feedback
If you want honest communication, make it safe for both of you to be honest.
Try: “I want to hear you. Please say it in a way I can take in.”

Make “no” a small, repeatable practice
Start with low-stakes moments.
Try one small 'no' this week, then do it again next week.

🎧 Listen on your favourite platform

👉 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/5YRMLg1...

👉 YouTube
   / @mymothersaidishouldnt  
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About My Mother Said I Shouldn't

"My Mother Said I Shouldn't" is a podcast about unlearning the things we were told growing up. Hosted by life coach Michaela Longden and health coach Sarah Duncan, it’s a space for open, unfiltered conversations about dating, relationships, identity and the messy middle between who we were told to be and who we actually are. Expect honesty, laughter and the conversations you wish you could have at brunch.