EP320: Why Negotiating Needs Feels So Hard (And What It Reveals About Your Boundaries)
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this episode, I explore why the struggle to speak up isn't usually about communication skills, but about what our discomfort reveals regarding boundaries, emotional maturity, and internal safety. Rather than focusing on what others are doing wrong, this conversation turns inward, helping listeners understand what's happening inside them when needs arise and why those moments can feel so charged.
You'll learn how early experiences shape your relationship with needs, how to tell the difference between needs, demands, and boundaries, and why recurring reactions like guilt, over-explaining, or shutting down are important signals — not personal flaws. This episode sets the foundation for a deeper month-long exploration of boundaries, choice, and healthy communication, offering a grounded starting point for anyone who wants to speak up without losing themselves.
Unmet needs don't disappear —
they leak out as resentment,
exhaustion, or self-doubt.
Get your FREE Boundaries Ebook here!
If you're ready to find your voice, set healthy boundaries, and create more fulfilling relationships, this guide is your roadmap!
Need more? Check out the Masterclass on Reclaiming Your Voice:
https://www.findyourvoicecourse.com/beyond-words
Hey! My signature course is live! I am so excited to also offer a free upgrade to the group coaching program. Be sure to click here to check it out:
https://findyourvoicecourse.com/
More
In this episode, I explore why the struggle to speak up isn't usually about communication skills, but about what our discomfort reveals regarding boundaries, emotional maturity, and internal safety. Rather than focusing on what others are doing wrong, this conversation turns inward, helping listeners understand what's happening inside them when needs arise and why those moments can feel so charged. You'll learn how early experiences shape your relationship with needs, how to tell the difference between needs, demands, and boundaries, and why recurring reactions like guilt, over-explaining, or shutting down are important signals — not personal flaws. This episode sets the foundation for a deeper month-long exploration of boundaries, choice, and healthy communication, offering a grounded starting point for anyone who wants to speak up without losing themselves. Unmet needs don't disappear — they leak out as resentment, exhaustion, or self-doubt. Get your FREE Boundaries Ebook here! If you're ready to find your voice, set healthy boundaries, and create more fulfilling relationships, this guide is your roadmap! Need more? Check out the Masterclass on Reclaiming Your Voice: https://www.findyourvoicecourse.com/beyond-words Hey! My signature course is live! I am so excited to also offer a free upgrade to the group coaching program. Be sure to click here to check it out: https://findyourvoicecourse.com/