Episode 384: The Power of Saying No Confidently - Set Healthy Boundaries, Reclaim Your Freedom

--------------------

SHOW NOTES

--------------------

Episode Number: 384

Episode Title: The Power of Saying No Confidently-  Set Healthy Boundaries, Reclaim Your Freedom

Introduction:

This heart-centred episode explores the transformative power of setting boundaries and saying no with grace. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by commitments or struggled with people-pleasing tendencies, this episode offers practical guidance for reclaiming your time and energy while maintaining loving relationships.

Podcast Highlights:

[00:53] Personal story about overcoming people-pleasing

[01:56] Why saying no is essential for personal freedom

[06:13] Releasing guilt around boundary setting

[07:03] Four types of "no" responses for different situations

[08:25] Practical exercises for strengthening your boundaries

[09:14] Final thoughts and weekly challenge

------------------------------------------------------

Connect with Pascale Gibon:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.pascalegibon.com/

Social Media: instragram.com/pascalegibon

------------------------------------------------------

Episode Summary:

This episode dives deep into the art of boundary setting, offering practical tools and heart-centred approaches to saying no without guilt. We explore how setting healthy boundaries leads to more authentic relationships and greater personal freedom.

Table of Contents:

1. Understanding the Power of No

2. Recognizing When to Set Boundaries

3. Practical Ways to Say No

4. Maintaining Boundaries with Grace

5. Weekly Challenge for Implementation

Detailed Discussion:

Understanding the Power of No

- The connection between boundaries and self-respect

- How saying no creates space for what matters

- Breaking free from excessive people-pleasing patterns

Recognizing When to Set Boundaries

- Signs of boundary violations

- Common situations requiring firm boundaries

- Trusting your intuition

- Energy management principles

Practical Ways to Say No

- The Direct No approach

- The Soft No technique

- The Delayed No strategy

- The Boundaries No method

Real-life examples and scripts

Maintaining Firm Boundaries with Grace

- Consistent boundary maintenance

- Building stronger relationships through clear boundaries

- Clarifying nonnegotiables

- Self-reflection practices

Weekly Challenge for Implementation

- Identifying one area in your life for boundary-setting

- Taking small steps toward change

- Monitoring your energy levels

- Celebrating your progress

Conclusion:

Setting boundaries isn't just about saying no—it's about saying yes to yourself and your well-being. As you implement the practical tools and techniques shared in this episode, you can create more balanced, fulfilling relationships while honouring your needs and energy.

Key Takeaways:

- Boundary setting is an act of self-love

- Clear boundaries lead to stronger relationships

- Practical scripts for different situations

- The importance of consistent boundary maintenance

- Steps for implementing boundaries without guilt

Remember: Your time and energy are precious resources. Setting boundaries with love and grace allows you to show up fully for what truly matters.

………………………...

FREE RESOURCES

………………………...

Love this?

•            Do you want to live an abundant life? If you answer Yes! Click here to claim your FREE guide: 

Yes! To Love Success Habits: 7 Steps To Inner Peace, Joy And Happiness.

•            Watch now the three-part video training: "7 Key Principles To Achieve Your Dreams." In this training, you will learn the principles that govern achieving goals. Click here to get immediate access:

Listen to The Everyday Life Balance Show on Apple iTunes: http://bit.ly/id1247430885

Listen to the Everyday Life Balance Show on Google Play: http://bit.ly/ElBSGoogle

Listen to The Everyday Life Balance Show on Soundcloud: 

https://bit.ly/ELBShowCloud

Listen to The Everyday Life Balance Show on Amazon:

http://bit.ly/EDLBShow

…………………………………..

CONNECT WITH PASCALE

…………………………………..

http://www.pascalegibon.com

https://facebook.com/pascalegibonfanpage

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalegibon

https://www.instagram.com/pascalegibon

https://www.twitter.com/pascalegibon

https://www.youtube.com/pascalegibon

……………………...

ABOUT PASCALE

……………………...

Meet Pascale, the Founder of The Everyday Life Balance Show, author and "Freedom Coach," your ultimate guide to achieving your vision and fulfilling your dreams faster than you ever thought possible.

With an unwavering dedication to empowering women in life transitions, Pascale possesses an innate ability to catalyze transformative change. Her mission is to guide women on a profound journey of self-discovery, enabling them to unlock their true potential and align their soul's purpose with their everyday lives.

Pascale's unique talent lies in helping women embrace their greatness wholeheartedly, paving the way for a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling existence while impacting the world positively.

With Pascale as your guiding force, you can expect to surpass your expectations and manifest your aspirations faster than you ever thought possible. Embark on a life-transforming journey with The Freedom Coach and unlock the limitless potential within you.

As a visionary and creative, her life's purpose is to guide you to happiness through love and joy in the context of understanding and compassion.

Meet Pascale at pascalegibon.com.

……………………………………………………………...

ABOUT THE EVERYDAY LIFE BALANCE SHOW

……………………………………………………………...

Welcome to the Everyday Life Balance Show, the podcast dedicated to men and women who want to cultivate greater harmony and balance in every aspect of their lives on a mental, physical and spiritual level. Every Monday, you will gain exclusive access to invaluable insights, practical tools and strategies shared by esteemed experts in various fields ranging from wellness and personal development to life fulfilment, happiness and success. And, of course, your trusted host Pascale Gibon, an authority in her own right as a #1 Amazon bestselling author and “Freedom Coach”.

Pascale’s unwavering mission is to serve and guide you towards happiness, leading you to discover profound joy, inner peace and balance. With every episode, she invites you to embark on a transformative journey, one step at a time, as you weave a tapestry of a life truly well-lived. For more information go to: https://www.pascalegibon.com/

………………................

SUBSCRIBE + REVIEW!

………………................

Be the first to know when a new episode is released.

Leave a review so that more people can access the Everyday Life Balance Show.

Subscribe to Pascale's iTunes podcast: http://bit.ly/id1247430885

Subscribe to Pascale's YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/pascalegibon

Read Pascale's latest articles and receive inspirational, transformational and motivational content: pascalegibon.com.

Many thanks for your support.

With love and gratitude.

Pascale 💖

 

---------------------------

FULL TRANSCRIPT

---------------------------

There was a time when I felt completely overwhelmed because I kept saying yes to things I didn't want to do. I felt the busier I was, the better. I feared disappointing others. But every time I ignored my needs, I felt drained and resentful. It wasn't until I learned the power of saying no that I truly reclaimed my energy and peace.  Hello, beautiful souls, and welcome back to episode 384 of The Everyday Life Balance Show. I'm Pascale Gibon, your guide on this journey of empowerment, inner peace, and joyful living. Today, we're diving deep into something close to my heart and essential for personal freedom - the transformative power of saying 'no' and setting those precious healthy boundaries that protect your energy.

It matters to set boundaries at work, in our relationships with others, and with ourselves because it’s a powerful way to protect our valuable time, command respect, develop self-discipline, and cultivate self-care.  

Have you found yourself in situations you did not want to be in because you felt uncomfortable saying no and did not want to hurt the other person's feelings? I understand; however, there are times when learning to say no takes courage and becomes necessary. 

Why Saying No Is Essential for Personal Freedom

How often have you said yes to things when you wanted to say no? You know that feeling when your heart sinks because you've said 'yes' to something your soul is screaming 'no' to. But imagine the relief, the empowerment that comes with finally saying 'no' when you need to. It's a liberating act that puts you back in control of your time and energy.

Let me share something personal with you. A dear friend recently confided in me about feeling exhausted from endless social commitments. She said: "I keep saying yes to all these social events even though I don't want to go." She was trying to say that she did not know why she said yes to every single invite and how to say no to some of them. It might be because she felt guilty if she declined the invitation or feared missing out if she did not go. She had not set boundaries on her most valuable asset: time.

How often do you find yourself overcommitted, drained, and resentful because you put others' needs before yours?

Here's the beautiful truth I discovered - saying no isn't just about declining invitations. It's a profound act of self-love and an invitation to reclaim your power. It requires some practice, especially for the 'people pleasers' who feel guilty whenever they say no. I know exactly how you feel.

However, constantly saying yes to demands on our time when we mean no can lead to burnout, resentment, and a loss of identity.

And here's why learning to say no is empowering:

Think about it this way: every time you say yes to something that doesn't align with your heart, you say no to your dreams, peace, and well-being. Isn't it time we changed that narrative?

Here's what I want you to remember, beautiful soul:

·      Your time is sacred

·      Your energy is precious

·      Your boundaries are an expression of self-respect

Recognizing When You Need to Say No

The first step to setting boundaries is self-awareness. It's crucial to pay attention to the moments when you say yes out of obligation, guilt, or fear of disappointing others. This self-awareness is enlightening and empowering, as it allows you to recognize when you need to say no for your own well-being.

Before answering, ask yourself:

• Am I saying yes because I genuinely want to?
• Will this commitment drain my energy or compromise my well-being?
• Does this align with my values and priorities?

If your gut is telling you to say no, honour that feeling. Your intuition knows when something is not right for you.

Here are some examples: You might need to say no when

• You feel exhausted from overcommitting to social events.
• A colleague frequently asks you to do extra work that isn't your responsibility.
• A family member expects you to always be available without considering your needs.

Releasing Guilt and Fear Around Saying No

Many feel guilty when saying no, especially to family, friends, or work obligations. We fear disappointing others, being seen as unkind, or missing out on opportunities.

But saying no does not mean rejecting the person; it means honouring yourself. You can still be kind, loving, and supportive while maintaining boundaries.

Here is a powerful mantra for letting go of guilt: "I do the best I can with my resources and honour my needs without guilt. Setting boundaries is an act of self-care." This mantra is a source of reassurance and support, reminding you that it's okay to say no when you need to.

How to Say No with Grace and Confidence

Now that we've explored why saying no is essential and how to release guilt around it let me now share some heart-centred ways to say no while keeping your relationships strong and your spirit light:

1.   When you need to be direct but gentle

"I appreciate the opportunity but I can't commit right now."

"Thank you for thinking of me, but I must decline."

"I would love to, but I can't commit now."

"That sounds wonderful, but I need to prioritize other commitments."

"I honour your invitation, but my heart is calling me to focus elsewhere right now."

2. When you need to maintain a connection

"I won't be able to take this on anymore, but I appreciate you asking."

"I'm setting new priorities, so I must step back from this commitment."

3.   When you need space to decide

"Let me check my schedule and get back to you."

"I need some time to think about this—can I get back to you later?" (please make sure you get back to the person)

Strengthening Your Boundaries Over Time

Like any new skill, setting healthy boundaries takes practice. The more you say no in alignment with your values, the more empowered and confident you will feel.

Here are four tips for maintaining firm boundaries:

1.   Be consistent – The more you uphold your boundaries, the more others will respect them.

2.   Stay firm yet kind – You don't need to over-explain or justify your no.

3.   Clarify your non-negotiables, which are the things you are unwilling to compromise.

4.   Practise self-reflection – Regularly check in with yourself to ensure you're honouring your needs.

Embracing Your Right to Say No

Saying no is an act of courage. It declares that your needs, time, and energy are valuable.

Remember, beautiful soul, setting boundaries isn't about building walls - it's about creating sacred space for what truly matters in your life.

So, I encourage you to reflect:

• Where do you need to set a boundary in your life?
• What is one thing you will say no to this week that is not one of your priorities?

I invite you to join me in this week's challenge:

Choose one situation where your heart yearns to say no. It could be declining an invitation, saying no to extra work, or simply taking time for yourself guilt-free. Then, notice how it feels in your body when you stand in your power.

Share your experience with me—I'd love to hear about your journey.

Thank you for spending this time with me today. If this episode resonated with you, feel free to connect with me on social media or email me at [email protected]

Until next time, I'm sending you lots of love and light on your journey to freedom and balance.