From Yes to No: My Journey to Self-Love

Welcome to the very first episode of Courageously Unbothered! Today, Sonia McDonald tackles the all-too-familiar struggle of people pleasing.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What people pleasing is and why so many of us do it.
The hidden costs of constantly saying "yes" when you mean "no."
How people-pleasing steals your energy, authenticity, and joy.
Sonia’s practical tips for breaking free from approval addiction, including:
Reframing criticism and not letting others’ opinions define you.
The power of saying “no” and setting boundaries.
Why you need to stop apologising for taking up space.
Embracing the courage to be disliked and focusing on what matters.
Sonia also shares personal stories, neuroscience-backed insights, and book recommendations to help you start living boldly and authentically.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Sonia’s books: Leadership Attitude, Just Rock It!, and First Comes Courage.
Book Recommendations: The Courage to Be Disliked and You Are a Badass.
Tools for defining your values: Visit Leadership HQ or Google “Values tools.”
Key Takeaway:
Stop playing small, start setting boundaries, and live for yourself-not for the approval of others.
Actionable Step:
Write down one thing you’ll stop doing this week to prioritise your energy and authenticity.
Follow Sonia on Socials:
LinkedIn - / soniamcdonald
Instagram - / thesoniamcdonald
Facebook - / soniamcdonald01
TikTok - / sonia_mcdonald
Learn more about Sonia:
Website - soniamcdonald....