Inner Work With MaryAnn Walker: Stop People Pleasing and Start Honoring You!

Send us a textDo you ever feel like someone else has the power to ruin your entire day with just a word, a look, or a tone of voice? If so, you’re not alone—but here’s the truth: other people can influence your emotions, but they can’t actually control them. The real power lies in how you process and respond.In this episode, you’ll learn how to control your feelings in healthy, empowering ways—even when someone else makes you upset. We’ll talk about why others can’t control your feelings, how emotional boundary setting can protect your peace, and why highly sensitive people often struggle with carrying the weight of other people’s emotions.Here’s what we’ll cover this week:The difference between cognitive empathy and the lived emotional experience of highly sensitive people.Why others cannot make you upset without your consent.How to distinguish between your emotions and other people’s emotions so you don’t slip into emotional overwhelm.The importance of processing emotions in the body—and practical ways to do it.How to set emotional boundaries that safeguard your well-being without trying to control someone else.When you learn to separate what’s yours from what belongs to others, you reclaim your personal power. Processing emotions in your body, setting clear boundaries, and practicing emotional awareness allows you to move through challenges with more calm and clarity.Your emotions are your responsibility—and that’s actually good news. Because when you take ownership, you’re no longer at the mercy of someone else’s mood or behavior. You get to choose how to show up, no matter what’s happening around you.If this resonates with you, I’d love to support you on a deeper level. My one-on-one coaching sessions are designed to help highly sensitive people and recovering people-pleasers set healthier boundaries and feel more grounded in their relationships. My schedule is filling quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot today.And if you’re enjoying this podcast, please take a moment to leave a rating or review—it helps more sensitive, empathetic souls like you find these tools. Thank you for listening, and I’ll see you next week!

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Kellyn Leggath, a relationship coach and close friend, to explore how imbalances in relationships can affect highly sensitive people and empaths. Together, we discuss how crucial it is to recognize these imbalances and take responsibility for our part in maintaining healthy connections. If you’ve ever felt drained or overwhelmed in your relationships, this conversation will help you navigate those feelings with more clarity and compassion.What You’ll Learn:How to identify common signs of imbalance in your relationships.The impact of overextending yourself emotionally as a highly sensitive person.Why asking for support is vital and how to overcome feelings of guilt or shame around it.The role of emotional intelligence in setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.Strategies for handling miscommunication and avoiding taking things too personally.The importance of radical honesty and vulnerability in relationships.How to stop overowning and start letting go of unnecessary emotional burdens.Ways to view relationships as mirrors that reflect your own areas for growth.Practical tips for fostering self-awareness and emotional maturity in your connections.Taking ownership of your part in any relationship is essential for creating balance and fostering growth. By recognizing and addressing imbalances, setting healthy boundaries, and approaching relationships with emotional integrity, you can build deeper, more fulfilling connections. Remember, it’s about releasing what isn’t yours to carry and embracing what is truly yours to nurture.Looking for support as you navigate life as an empath or  highly sensitive person? Come and work with me! Click below to get started: Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37***Have an idea? Submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6Connect with Kellyn Legath Here: https://www.instagram.com/daydreamercoaching/https://bio.site/daydreamer

Send us a textThe "Empath Abyss" is the emotional state where empaths and highly sensitive people feel disoriented, overwhelmed, and overly accommodating due to heightened emotions and reactions from others. This episode is essential for empaths and highly sensitive people who often find themselves overwhelmed and disoriented by the emotions of others. Here's what we'll cover:Understanding the Empath Abyss:The empath abyss is an emotional state where you feel disoriented, with heightened emotions and difficulty differentiating yourself from others.Symptoms include emotional overwhelm, insecurity, struggling to make requests, becoming overly accommodating of others, and doubting your own feelings and boundaries.Common Triggers:Negative responses from others to your requests or boundaries.Feeling invalidated by others' strong emotional reactions.Emotional immaturity in relationships, where one partner deflects or intensifies emotions rather than addressing the core issue.Strategies to Navigate Out of the Abyss:Process Your Emotions: Take time to differentiate your emotions from others' and validate your own feelings.Regain Confidence: Remind yourself why you brought up your needs or boundaries and stay firm in your integrity.Set Clear Goals: Make your actions measurable and clear to yourself, ensuring you remain aligned with your values.Action Steps:Calm your nervous system to see situations more clearly. Step out of fight, flight, freeze or fawn.Make your boundaries and requests measurable and stick to them.Remember that others' reactions are about them, not you.If this episode resonates with you, consider working with me through my six-week coaching packages. Together, we can dive deeper into your specific situations and develop personalized strategies to help you navigate your emotions and relationships more effectively. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with others who might benefit. Have a great week, and take care!Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meListen to Fawning: A People Pleaser Stress Response: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/14866402Connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37***Have an idea for the podcast? Click here to submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6

Exploring the pitfalls of over-explaining, the discussion highlights how it can muddle messages and impair connections. Empaths often over-communicate due to fears of misunderstanding and the need for reassurance. Practical strategies for simplifying communication are shared, such as focusing on a clear main point and seeking feedback. Emphasizing mindfulness, the conversation reveals how concise expression can enhance relationship dynamics, making it easier for needs to be understood and addressed.

Send us a textUnderstanding Your Unique Empathy Style and Its Impact on RelationshipsYour unique form of empathy might be why you're experiencing disconnect in your relationships. It’s easy to assume that everyone should "just know" what you’re going through or what you need. We all have moments when we think others connect, understand, and empathize in the same way we do, but this simply isn’t true.The 3 Types of Empathizers1. Cognitive EmpathizersCognitive empathizers use logic and personal experience to understand others. Their strength lies in their ability to ask insightful questions. However, they may assume that everyone should respond to situations the way they do, which can lead to misunderstandings.2. Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)HSPs utilize their heightened senses to better perceive and empathize with others. They are highly attuned to facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language, enabling them to accurately gauge others' feelings and experiences. However, they often mistakenly take on the responsibility for others' emotions as a way to preserve their own personal safety.3. EmpathsWhile we often assume that someone with a high level of empathy is an empath, this isn’t always the case. Empaths literally feel what others are feeling. Their strength is their deep, intuitive understanding of others' emotions, which enhances their ability to empathize. However, empaths may struggle to differentiate their own feelings from those of others, making it challenging to maintain personal boundaries.Embracing Your EmpathyEmpathy manifests in various forms, each with its own strengths and challenges. By understanding and embracing these differences, you can foster deeper connections, enhance self-awareness, and create healthier relationships. Whether you're a cognitive empath, a highly sensitive person, or an empath, there are ways to develop and balance your empathic abilities for a more fulfilling life.Are you interested in learning more about how you empathize, deepening your personal sensitivity, or working through the challenges that come from empathizing differently? Let’s work together. Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37***Have an idea for the podcast? Click here to submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6

Send us a textChantelle Wood, author of the new children's series, "Mind City Heroes,"  teaches kids and parents how to talk back to their negative thoughts.What You'll Learn:How stories can teach children to manage their negative thoughts and emotions.An overview of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and how they are integrated into mental and emotional wellness.The importance of parent-child discussions around mental health and how Chantelle's books can help to facilitate these conversations.Upcoming books in the series and their focus on different cognitive distortions. "Mind City Heroes" empowers children to understand and manage their thoughts through engaging stories, providing them with tools to navigate their emotions and build emotional intelligence from a young age.Connect with Chantelle Wood here: Purchase her book here: https://amzn.to/3yeJlTEWebsite: https://mindcityheroes.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550037656194 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mindcityheroes/Are you looking for help developing these tools?  Come and work with me!  Click the links below to get started: Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE guided journal for empaths and highly sensitive people: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/3da1fd88a9***Have an idea for the podcast? Click here to submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6

Send us a textThere are particular struggles that highly sensitive people (HSP's) might experience as they work towards balance and boundary setting.What You'll Learn:The unique challenges of boundary setting for highly sensitive people How to recognize when you need to state a boundaryTechniques for emotional regulation before and after stating a boundaryHow to effectively state a boundary both verbally and non-verballyNavigating the emotional aftermath if someone is upset by your boundary Establishing and maintaining boundaries is crucial for highly sensitive people to create sustainable and healthy relationships, and it involves emotional regulation, clear communication, and consistent follow-through.Looking for support as you navigate life as a highly sensitive person? Come and work with me! Click below to get started:Listen to episode 42: When the relationship is complete Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.lifeGet your FREE Boundary Guidebook: https://maryannwalker-life.ck.page/2124419f37***Have an idea? Submit a question or leave me a review! https://forms.gle/jCt4i9BPa5xVpArj6

Dive into the captivating world of storytelling and self-perception. Explore how highly sensitive individuals often misinterpret emotions and create self-critical narratives. Learn to challenge these negative stories, embrace discomfort, and set healthy boundaries. Discover the transformative power of personal storytelling, shifting from a victim mentality to a heroic narrative. This journey offers tools to rewrite your life's script and empower your true self.

Explore how unspoken expectations can silently sabotage relationships. Dive into the impact of these invisible 'manuals' that set unrealistic standards for partners. Learn strategies to break free from these constraints and foster authentic connections. Discover the importance of clear communication and taking responsibility for your own happiness. Embracing this mindset can transform conflicts into genuine understanding and love.

Send us a textExploring why empaths often attract confessions from strangers, how to ground and center after holding space for others, and more. Through this discussion, MaryAnn offers practical tips and insights to help empaths navigate their unique experiences.What You'll Learn:Why Strangers Confide in Empaths: Understanding the calming energy empaths exude and how it creates a safe space for others to share.Grounding Techniques: Practical methods to separate your energy from others and restore balance after emotionally charged interactions.Emotional Processing for Empaths: Tips for dealing with emotional blockages and finding effective ways to release pent-up emotions.Setting Energetic Boundaries: Strategies to protect your energy and prevent burnout by setting clear boundaries.Creating Personal Safety: How to enhance your own sense of safety and security in various aspects of your life.Main Takeaway: Empaths have a unique ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space for others, but it's crucial for them to establish boundaries, practice self-care, and create personal safety to maintain their own well-being.Resources Mentioned:Episode 39 on Energetic Boundaries: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2028767/12768879Ready to take the next step on your self development journey? Come and work with me! Click below to get started: Apply to work with me: https://maryannwalker.life/contact-meConnect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannwalker.lifeConnect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannwalker.life/Connect with me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryannwalker.life