Untethering Shame
Untethering Shame
Kyira Wackett
šŸŽ™ļøAsk Me Anything – E37: When You Feel Guilty Saying No
6 minutes Posted Jan 21, 2026 at 8:00 am.
0:00
6:44
Download MP3
Show notes

In this episode, I respond to a question from an anonymous listener who writes:

ā€œI always say yes to requests from my friends, family, and coworkers — even when I really don’t want to or don’t have the capacity. Then I end up resentful, tired, or feeling like I’m the bad friend or partner for refusing. How do I actually learn to say no without drowning in guilt?ā€

We explore the tension between compassion and people-pleasing — and why guilt often shows up the moment we try to take care of ourselves. Inside this episode, we’ll talk about:

  • Why guilt doesn’t always mean you’ve done something wrong
  • How shame and fear of rejection keep you stuck in over-giving
  • What it really means to say ā€œnoā€ from self-respect instead of self-protection
  • How to start unlearning the belief that saying no makes you a bad person

If you’ve ever felt the weight of guilt after setting a boundary, this episode is your permission slip to honor your limits without apology.

šŸ“Ā Want to submit a question for a future episode?

Nothing is off-limits (well, almost nothing).

⁠Submit your question⁠ anonymously or with your name — whatever feels safest for you.

šŸ‘‰Ā https://forms.gle/1uYJ87Y2Vag6KYCeA

šŸ’¬Ā If this episode spoke to you, drop a commentĀ and share your biggest takeaway or reflection — I’d love to hear what came up for you.

Ready to take the next step?

Stay Connected:

šŸ’­Ā Guilt is just a sign that you’re breaking an old pattern — not that you’re doing something wrong.

#AskMeAnything #Boundaries #SayingNo #ShameResilience #AdversityRising