Happy Place How to stop saying “yes” when you mean “no”, with Natalie Lue
Jun 16, 2025
Joined by Natalie Lue, a seasoned writer and founder of Baggage Reclaim, this discussion dives deep into the pitfalls of people-pleasing. Natalie shares the anxiety that fuels the need to say 'yes' even when it feels wrong, impacting self-esteem and well-being. She reveals five ways this behavior manifests, from overachieving to rescuing others. The conversation emphasizes embracing the empowering practice of saying 'no' to foster genuine self-identity and set healthy boundaries.
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People Pleasing Roots
- People pleasing often stems from anxiety and leads to feelings like guilt and overwhelm when we say yes for the wrong reasons.
- Saying no authentically prevents resentment, fear, and avoidance that come from inauthentic yeses.
People Pleasing and Compliance
- People pleasing comes from being socialized to excessive compliance and disassociation from our "no".
- Losing connection to our "no" causes loss of self, needs, desires, and limits, making saying no feel foreign.
Health Wake-Up Call
- Natalie’s illness wake-up call prompted her to rethink self-care and relationships.
- She moved from self-loathing towards self-compassion and authentic self-expression after confronting her health and personal patterns.
