
Episode #3
The Empath Wound: I Wasn't Being Nice—I Was Afraid to Say No
Have you ever said yes when everything inside of you wanted to say no? Maybe you called yourself nice, patient, understanding, flexible, or just someone who doesn't like conflict. But what if some of those yeses weren't coming from kindness? What if they were coming from fear? In Episode 3 of The Empath Wound , Deborah gets personal about realizing that her people-pleasing wasn't simply part of her personality—it was connected to a deeper fear of rejection, abandonment, disappointing people, and being seen as the "bad guy." This episode explores what happens when saying no feels dangerous, why we overexplain our boundaries, and how resentment can sometimes reveal the boundaries we were afraid to communicate. Questions for Reflection Ask yourself: What am I afraid will happen if I say no? Who am I afraid to disappoint? Where am I saying yes while secretly feeling resentful? How often do I explain my boundaries because I'm hoping someone will approve them? Whose opinion of me still determines whether I feel like a good person? And most importantly: If I knew this person wouldn't leave me, become angry, or think differently about me—would my answer still be yes? This Week's Assignment Before automatically saying yes to someone, pause. Try saying: "Let me check and get back to you." Then check in with yourself before checking your calendar. Do I actually want to do this? Do I have the capacity? Am I afraid to say no? Would saying yes require me to abandon something I need? Give yourself permission to answer honestly. Maybe you weren't born a people-pleaser. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs permission to finally say no . And don't forget to follow, rate, and review The Healing Version Podcast . ------------------------------------------------------------ If you're struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor. Visit https://betterhelp.com/thehealingversion for a discount on your first month of therapy. If you have questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation, here is an overview written by the YouTube creators behind the channel Cinema Therapy that goes into these topics: https://www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/1dpriql/addressing_the_betterh elp_concerns_headon_d ----------------------------------------------- Let's Stay Connected: Follow and explore our new website: TheHealingVersion.com — your new home for healing, updates, merch, + more! You can even stream episodes right from the site ! ✨ Your support helps us continue sharing meaningful conversations ️, uplifting stories , and promoting real healing in our community . Tune In Every Saturday & Sunday On the Radio: WDJY 99.1 FM — Straight Talk Radio Atlanta 5 PM EST / 4 PM CST Stream Live: WDJYFM.com Stream from our website: TheHealingVersion.com And don't forget to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio Thank you for being part of the Healing Tribe! #TheHealingVersion #SubscribeNow #HealingJourney #SupportBlackPodcasts #MentalHealthMatters #HealingTribe ♀️






