The Power of No: How to Reclaim Your Summer, Your Energy, and Your Peace

In this energizing episode of Black Girl Burnout , host Kelley invites us into July with a powerful reminder: true freedom often begins with one simple word, no . As we continue embracing our "Summer of Yes," Kelley gets honest about what it really takes to say yes to joy, ease, and delight. Sometimes, that means first saying no to exhaustion, overcommitment, and emotional labor that’s not yours to carry. This episode sets the tone for a month of liberation by exploring boundaries as a daily freedom practice and encouraging listeners to opt into rest without guilt. If you’ve been feeling burnt out from being the go-to person or struggling to say no without guilt, this episode is your permission slip. Key Takeaways Freedom requires boundaries. Saying "no" is not about rejection—it's redirection toward peace and personal capacity. Performative ‘yes’ leads to burnout. If your yesses are rooted in obligation instead of joy, it’s time to reevaluate. Permission to stop performing. You don’t have to do the most to prove your worth—freedom is choosing rest over performance. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Setting the Tone for July Kelley introduces the theme “Freedom Looks Like This” and previews upcoming guests and topics. 03:00 – Why “No” Matters More Than Ever Kelley reframes saying no as a form of freedom and empowerment rather than rejection. 05:00 – Honoring Capacity She challenges listeners to reflect on how often they override their emotional and physical limits out of obligation. 07:00 – The Weight We Carry A discussion on the invisible labor Black women often bear and how it keeps us from freedom. 10:00 – From Performer to Twirler Kelley shares a beautiful metaphor between performers and twirlers—those choosing rest, beauty, and softness. 13:00 – The Cost of Saying Yes A reflective moment about how past people-pleasing and overextension came at a high emotional cost. 15:00 – Emotional Permission Slip Kelley offers a loving call to opt out of guilt and into peace, giving listeners full permission to reclaim their energy. Support the Show Are you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you're canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us: 📱 @blackgirlburnout 📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: www.blackgirlburnout.com 📺 Watch the episode on YouTube 💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts! Have a question for July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions. Stay In Touch If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered: Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life. Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that. Our Sponsors: Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy