249. Soft Strength (Let's Talk About Being A Karen)

In this episode, I explore the concept of soft strength—a way to hold boundaries, advocate for yourself, and navigate difficult situations without aggression or emotional dysregulation. Too often, women are labeled as “too much” when they stand up for themselves or “people pleasers” when they don’t. But there’s a middle ground: a way to be strong without force, and firm without anger. I share personal experiences, client insights, and practical strategies to help you step into your power while staying true to yourself.Timestamps & Key Takeaways: [00:00 - 02:00] IntroductionHow the idea of soft strength came up in my coaching and content creation processStrength doesn’t always have to be aggressive—there are different ways to embody it [02:01 - 05:30] The Stigma Around Women’s StrengthThe world often labels strong women as “Karens” or “bitches,” making it harder to advocate for ourselvesThere is nothing wrong with being assertive, but there’s also power in a softer approachThe balance between pushing through and holding space for yourself [05:31 - 09:45] Advocating for Yourself Without Emotional DysregulationStrength is not about demanding or yelling—it’s about clarity and self-trustHow to hold firm boundaries without feeling the need to justify or explain yourselfThe power of approaching boundaries from a place of calm, rather than anger [09:46 - 14:30] Boundaries in Difficult RelationshipsHow boundaries often come up in co-parenting, breakups, and family dynamicsThe difference between setting a boundary from a place of anger vs. a place of self-respectWhy boundaries aren’t about controlling the other person, but about how you will respond [14:31 - 17:50] Giving People Back Their Own FeelingsThe tendency to take responsibility for other people’s emotionsWhy we try to “fix” people’s feelings and how it disconnects us instead of bringing us closerHow to shift from emotional responsibility hoarding to true, open support [17:51 - 21:30] The Power of Soft Strength in Real-Life SituationsPersonal story: Navigating my mother’s illness and seeing how people tried to “fix” the griefThe difference between holding space for someone versus trying to change their experienceThe kind of support that truly makes a difference in hard times [21:31 - 23:00] Final Thoughts & Next StepsSoft strength is about showing up as the version of yourself that you want to beHow to journal on where you can embrace soft strength in your lifeInvitation to book a free consult for 1:1 coaching: amandahess.ca/bookacall Love this episode? Don’t forget to leave a review! Your support helps more women find this podcast and step into their own power. 💜