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Breaking the Silence: Overcoming the Stories That Hold Women Back


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“I’m too emotional.”“I’m being too pushy.”“I’m overreacting.”“It’s easier to keep the peace.”“I need to research this more before I speak up.”

Sound familiar? These aren’t just fleeting thoughts, they’re stories women tell themselves every single day. They’re the internal barriers that quietly shape decisions, mute voices, and influence the ways women show up at work, in relationships, and in their lives.

For many women, these stories become invisible scripts running in the background. They can make you hesitate in meetings, hold back in conversations, or second-guess your instincts. Over time, these small moments of silence add up, creating a pattern that limits your impact, visibility, and personal fulfilment.

Why These Stories Exist

Cultural expectations and social conditioning often teach women to prioritise harmony over assertiveness. From a young age, women are encouraged to be accommodating, polite, and nurturing, qualities that are celebrated in personal contexts but can become barriers in professional or assertive spaces. The result? When you speak up, you may immediately question yourself: “Am I being too much?” or “Will I be judged for my tone?”

Biology and psychology also play a role. Emotional intelligence - the ability to understand and manage emotions, is often interpreted incorrectly as “being too emotional” when expressed assertively. In reality, expressing your thoughts, feelings, and opinions is a sign of self-awareness and courage, not weakness.

The Cost of Staying Silent

When women suppress their voices, the effects ripple beyond personal frustration. Opportunities can be missed, ideas can go unheard, and contributions may be undervalued. Relationships may feel one-sided or unbalanced. Over time, these internalised stories can contribute to burnout, resentment, and a diminished sense of self-worth.

Rewriting the Stories

The first step is awareness. Recognise when you’re holding yourself back with phrases like “I’m overreacting” or “I’ll research this more first.” Naming the story allows you to see it for what it is: a mental habit, not an unchangeable truth.

Next, practice self-compassion. Speaking up doesn’t make you pushy or emotional, it makes you human. Begin to challenge the narrative by taking small, intentional steps. Voice your opinions in meetings, share your insights with a trusted colleague, or even assert a personal boundary in your life. Each action chips away at the old script and reinforces your confidence.

Join Us at Wellness by the Sea

If you’ve caught yourself thinking these thoughts, then our retreat in the Shandon Hotel, Donegal on the 4th October is for you! We have created a bespoke workshop which is designed to help you break free from them. Our facilitator Camilla Long will provides tools to identify self-limiting beliefs, practice confident communication, and reclaim your voice in spaces where it matters most. You’ll join a supportive community of women navigating the same challenges, learning that speaking up is not only possible - it’s transformative.


Your voice deserves to be heard. The stories that keep you quiet may feel like protection, but they often limit your growth and fulfilment. By recognising and challenging them, you can reclaim your confidence, assert your perspective, and step into your power.

This workshop is more than a session; it’s a first step toward a life where you speak, act, and lead without apology.



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