Permission to Be
Sorry Not Sorry

Stop apologizing for taking up space. You belong here.

Read on

Here's What You're Telling Yourself

"If I say no, people will think I'm selfish and I'll lose them."

What this looks like in real life:

You're saying yes when you mean no. You're apologizing for wanting things. You're managing everyone else's feelings while yours get shoved down. You're so busy with all the commitments you've made to others that you have no time for yourself. You're busy. Possibly even burnt out.

Somewhere along the way, you learned that your comfort mattered less than keeping the peace. That being "nice" meant swallowing your own needs. That disappointing people was the worst thing you could possibly do. So you say yes to things that drain you. You apologize for existing. You burn yourself out trying to make sure everyone else is okay.

But here's the thing... you're not alone in this. So many women are drowning in the yes's they didn't want to say, terrified of what people will think if they finally put themselves first.

Here's What's Actually True

Setting a boundary isn't selfish. Saying no isn't mean. Prioritizing your own life isn't betrayal. These are acts of survival.

And they're also acts of courage because everything in you has been trained to believe the opposite. The people who actually matter? They'll respect you MORE when you have boundaries. They'll trust you more because you're being real instead of performatively nice. You'll build relationships that aren't built on your exhaustion.

5 Ideas to Be Sorry Not Sorry

Choose ONE today.

Say no to one thing this week. Soft, kind, and real: "No, that doesn't work for me right now. But I know someone who might be able to help..." or "I appreciate you asking, but I'm at capacity."
Write what you'd say if you weren't afraid. Get all the words out on paper without filtering. Then decide what actually needs to be said.
Practice with something low-stakes. Say no to something small first. Notice that the world doesn't fall apart.
Feel the guilt and do it anyway. The guilt doesn't go away before you act. It comes after. And that's okay.
Name who you're really trying to please. Is it your mom? Your boss? A friend? Get specific about whose approval you're actually chasing.

What Changes When You Claim This Permission

You get your life back. You get your energy back. You get to decide what you actually want instead of always being at everyone else's service.

And the wild part? The people who actually matter will respect you MORE when you have boundaries. They'll trust you more because you're being real. You'll build relationships that aren't built on your exhaustion.

This permission slip isn't about being rude or burning bridges. It's about finally, finally deciding that your time and your peace matter just as much as everyone else's.

Mari

Hi, I'm Mari.

I'm the founder of The Crew, a membership that makes expert coaching accessible at $97 a month. I spent years as a business owner and State Farm agent before I realized my real passion was helping people design lives they love waking up to.

I'm a wife, a mom of three, a real estate investor, and a podcaster who believes freedom, growth, and fun are non-negotiable.

Meet The Crew.

The Crew is a membership community making expert coaching accessible at $97 a month. Every month you get a full faculty of coaches across mindset, productivity, wellness, relationships, and more, plus live sessions and a circle of women who are building alongside you.

Accountability + Community + Coaching = Transformation.

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to be ready first.

Your journaling prompt: What am I saying yes to that I desperately want to say no to? And what's the worst thing that could actually happen if I did?

You Don't Have to Do This Alone

Setting boundaries feels hard when you've been trained your whole life to be "nice." The Crew is full of women who are learning to set them anyway.

This is a space where your time matters. Where your peace matters. Where saying no is celebrated because it means you're finally putting yourself first. Where you'll be surrounded by women who are learning to stop apologizing for taking up space too.

You get monthly coaching, weekly accountability, and a circle of women who believe your boundaries are not selfish. They're essential.

Community Mixer

Your Next Step: The Community Mixer

The Community Mixer is a free live gathering from The Crew, and it's the best way to see what's inside before you decide anything.

It's fast, fun, and a little awkward in the best way. You'll rotate through small breakout rooms, about 15 minutes each, meeting Crew members and faculty. You'll hear real stories from women who started before they felt ready.

Next Mixer: October 27, 2026 | 5:50–7:00 PM PT | Free on Zoom

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You're Allowed to Say No

Join the Community Mixer and meet the women who are finally putting themselves first. Who are saying no. Who are building lives that honor their own needs too.

Join The Mixer

No credit card. No commitment. Just an invitation to women who believe in you.