Setting Boundaries That Actually Work (Without Feeling Like a Bad Person)

05/21/25 • 13 min

Ever feel guilty for saying no? Like setting a boundary makes you a bad person? You’re not alone and you’re definitely not broken.

In this powerful, heart-led episode of The Happya Life Podcast, Clare Deacon dives deep into the real reason boundaries feel so hard, especially if you’ve experienced trauma, chronic people-pleasing, or were taught that love had to be earned.

You’ll discover:

🌪 Why your nervous system resists saying no (hint: it’s not about willpower)
🧠 The brain science behind why boundaries trigger guilt
💛 How to rewire your response and create safe, sustainable boundaries
💬 Scripts you can actually use without sounding defensive or rude
🔁 What to do when people push back against the “new” you

With a warm cuppa and a whole lot of compassion, Clare reminds you that setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s sacred. This isn’t just self-care; it’s nervous system repair.

✨ Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been on this healing journey a while, this episode will help you stop abandoning yourself and start choosing peace over performance.

🎙️ New here? Subscribe and leave a review, it helps others find their way back to themselves, too.

Book a Chat: https://happyacoach.com/chat

Email: [email protected]
Music by LemonMusicStudio

Ever feel guilty for saying no? Like setting a boundary makes you a bad person? You’re not alone and you’re definitely not broken.

You’ll discover:

🌪 Why your nervous system resists saying no (hint: it’s not about willpower)
🧠 The brain science behind why boundaries trigger guilt
💛 How to rewire your response and create safe, sustainable boundaries
💬 Scripts you can actually use without sounding defensive or rude
🔁 What to do when people push back against the “new” you

With a warm cuppa and a whole lot of compassion, Clare reminds you that setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s sacred. This isn’t just self-care; it’s nervous system repair.

✨ Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been on this healing journey a while, this episode will help you stop abandoning yourself and start choosing peace over performance.

🎙️ New here? Subscribe and leave a review, it helps others find their way back to themselves, too.

Book a Chat: https://happyacoach.com/chat

Email: [email protected]
Music by LemonMusicStudio

Previous Episode

How to Find Motivation When You’re Mentally Exhausted

Are you feeling flat, emotionally drained, or stuck in a fog of fatigue, even though you want to move forward?

In this episode of The Happya Life Podcast, Clare Deacon, positive psychology expert and trauma-informed coach, unpacks the real reason motivation disappears during mental exhaustion, and how to gently reconnect with your drive without pressure, guilt, or hustle.

You’ll learn:

Why burnout and low motivation are signs of a depleted nervous system (not laziness)
How to regulate before you take action and why that matters neurologically
Why shrinking your goals activates long-term motivation
How to use the Four Pillars of the Happya Survival Kit to restore energy and clarity

✨ This is not about forcing productivity. It’s about understanding the science behind burnout, honouring your body’s signals, and learning how to move forward in ways that feel safe, supportive, and sustainable.

🎧 Listen now and take your first small step, no pressure, just possibility.

🔗 Explore the Happya Survival Kit: https://happya.coach/survivalkit
📩 Want to share how this landed for you? Message Clare or follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappyacoach

Book a Chat: https://happyacoach.com/chat

Email: [email protected]
Music by LemonMusicStudio