What Q1 Taught Me About Leadership, Boundaries, and Letting Go of People-Pleasing

The last few months have been nothing short of overwhelming.

Between leading in multiple roles, managing an intense workload, showing up for clients, and building my business—I was also navigating some deeply personal challenges at home. My 3-year-old was going through a phase where sleep was nearly nonexistent, and any parent knows how draining that alone can be. On top of that, I was juggling emotional weight from personal matters that demanded more of me than I felt I had to give.

There were days I genuinely didn’t think I would make it through the quarter.

I pushed through the to-do lists, answered the emails, scheduled the meetings, kept everything afloat—but underneath it all, my anxiety was growing. It felt like no matter how hard I worked, it wasn’t enough. I kept pouring from a cup that hadn’t been refilled in weeks. And for what?

That’s when I had to take a long, honest look at myself and what I thought leadership was.

For so long, I believed being a leader meant being available all the time. That I had to say “yes” to prove I was capable. That I had to make everyone around me comfortable, happy, and supported—even at my own expense. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. I didn’t want to be perceived as difficult, or unavailable, or “not a team player.”

But let me tell you what this first quarter taught me, loud and clear:

Leadership is not about being a people-pleaser.

Leadership is about standing firm in your values—even when it means setting boundaries that others may not like. It’s about recognizing that “no” is a complete sentence, and you don’t have to explain yourself. It’s about acknowledging that you can’t be everything to everyone, and trying to be will only lead to burnout, resentment, and feeling disconnected from your own purpose.

I had to grow out of that need to be liked. It was hard. As someone who naturally wants to help and be a team player, saying “I’m not doing that” didn’t come easily. But with so much on my plate—both professionally and personally—I had no choice but to protect my energy. That meant putting up some guardrails. It meant letting go of the fear that someone might think I’m rude or difficult. And it meant showing up differently—not less—but in a way that’s more grounded, intentional, and sustainable.

One of the most important shifts I made was giving myself permission to prioritize my life outside of work. That meant more time with my son, even if it wasn’t picture-perfect. That meant taking a step back when my anxiety told me I had to keep pushing. That meant saying, “I need help,” and actually accepting it.

And through all of this, I realized something powerful:

Balance isn't about perfect harmony. It’s about self-respect.

You don’t have to earn your rest.
You don’t have to say yes to be respected.
And you absolutely don’t have to be liked by everyone to be an effective, powerful leader.

So if you’ve been moving through a hard season—whether it’s motherhood, mental health, work pressure, or all of the above—please know you’re not alone. This quarter was tough, but it was transformative. It cracked me open, forced me to grow, and showed me how much strength I actually carry.

Q1 taught me that survival isn’t the goal—sustainability is.

And in Q2, I’m no longer trying to “keep up.” I’m moving intentionally, choosing peace, protecting my energy, and embracing the kind of leadership that honors both my work and my well-being.

Here’s to releasing guilt, reclaiming balance, and leading with heart—and boundaries.