43// Why Saying No Feels So Guilty (Even When You’re Drowning)

Hey Mama 

If you’ve ever tried to set boundaries as a mom and ended up caving, over-explaining, or feeling guilty, this episode is for you.

Boundaries are supposed to protect your time and energy, but for most moms, they trigger mom guilt, overwhelm, and the pressure to keep saying yes — even when you’re exhausted. That’s why boundaries feel so hard in motherhood.

In this episode, we’re unpacking:

• Why saying no makes moms feel guilty (even when you’re already overwhelmed)

• The difference between rules and boundaries in motherhood

• How mom guilt and people-pleasing drain your energy

• Why over-explaining weakens your boundaries

• Simple boundary scripts for exhausted moms who want to protect their energy

• How to stop being the default parent who says yes to everything

Because mama — you’re not a bad mom for struggling with boundaries. You’re an overloaded mom carrying the invisible mental load. And you deserve to stop people-pleasing, put down the plates that aren’t yours, and finally protect your space without the guilt trip.

  Quick win: By the end of this episode, you’ll have one clear sentence you can use today to set a boundary that sticks ,  and it won’t make you feel like a bad mom.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

 

Guilt Loop Workshop

In this workshop, we’re breaking down the sneaky cycle of mom guilt—the one that makes you feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough. You’ll learn why guilt keeps showing up (even when you’re doing your best), how to spot it before it spirals, and a simple method to step out of the loop and back into calm.

This is a practical, real-talk reset for the woman who’s tired of carrying guilt like it’s her part-time job. You’ll walk away with tools you can use the next time guilt pops up—without adding more to your to-do list.

Register for Workshop click here

 Join the next Fireside Chat—a real-talk Zoom room for entrepreneurial moms https://calendly.com/crystalc-ignitetorise/the-fire-circle

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The Confident Mom Bootcamp

 You’ll learn the practical, doable steps to move from chaos and guilt into calm, confidence, and control.

Click here to register

TEXT "BOUNDARIES" to 315-351-2502  and tell me what you thought of this episode. 

 

 Ready to dive deeper? Join the Confident Mom Boot Camp!