Stop Should-ing Yourself

Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and boundary burnout—sound familiar? 😝 In this episode of Marketing Like a Mother, I’m diving into these all-too-common struggles with licensed mental health counselor and podcast host Justine Carino. Justine shares her personal journey of juggling a private practice, two kids, and life as a recovering perfectionist. Together, we unpack how childhood roles shape our adult habits, why saying no can feel impossible, and how to rebuild trust with yourself one small boundary at a time. If you’ve ever felt like you “should” be doing it all, this episode is your permission slip to stop!

Key Takeaways:

* Boundaries Begin with You: Setting boundaries with others is hard, but it starts with learning to set them with yourself.

* Rewire Your Inner Voice: That perfectionist voice in your head? It’s time to give it a name and start talking back.

* The “No” Muscle Needs Practice: Saying no gets easier with time—start small and build up your confidence.

* Perfectionism Has Roots: Many perfectionists were conditioned in childhood to overachieve—understanding the “why” can help you change.

* Stop Should-ing Yourself: Shift your focus from societal “shoulds” to personal “musts” aligned with your values.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it! Want to dive deeper into Justine’s work? Visit CarinoCounseling.com or check out her free Worry Workshop filled with evidence-based strategies to manage anxious thoughts. You can also find her on Instagram at @_thoughtsfromthecouch_.