Have you ever felt the weight of everyone else’s expectations pressing down on you, making it nearly impossible to hear your own voice? In episode 194 of INHABIT, I sat down with bestselling author Katherine Rose Woller to talk about what it really means to choose yourself—even when it means calling it off. “Calling It Off: When Saying No Is the Bravest Yes” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a radical act of self-trust, and it’s the heart of Katherine’s story, detailed in her bestselling book, Calling It Off: Memoir of an Almost Bride. If you’ve ever stood at a crossroads, paralyzed by fear or guilt, this conversation is for you.

Why She Called It Off: The Power of Self-Trust

Katherine’s journey is as relatable as it is courageous. She was weeks away from her wedding when she realized her intuition was screaming at her to stop. “There were so many factors and pressures keeping me in that space, forcing me to stop listening to myself,” Katherine shared. Her story isn’t just about ending an engagement—it’s about breaking free from perfectionism, societal timelines, and the fear of disappointing others.

We dove deep into the messy, human side of making hard decisions. Katherine described the shame of calling off her wedding after months of planning and public celebration, but also the unexpected grace she received from friends and family. “I was met with a shocking amount of compassion,” she said. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is the love I have for myself and the trust I have in myself.”

Listening to Your Gut: Somatic Awareness and Intuition

One of the most powerful themes in this episode is the importance of tuning into your body’s signals. Katherine explained how ignoring her intuition led her down a path that wasn’t right for her. “I don’t think I always listened to my own intuition or prioritized it as the number one factor,” she admitted. Over time, those “small pings” of doubt grew into a deep, insurmountable knowing that she needed to call it off.

Katherine’s advice? Start small. Practice listening to your gut in everyday decisions, whether it’s intuitive eating or setting boundaries at work. She described how her body would send her clear signals—tension in her chest, headaches, and a sense of heaviness—when something wasn’t right. “Our bodies know,” she said. “You just have to learn to listen.”

Breaking Up With Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a sneaky saboteur, especially for high-achieving women. Katherine and I talked about how comparison fuels perfectionism and how letting go of it can be liberating. “Comparison is the thief of joy,” Katherine said. “For me, reducing perfectionism has come down to reducing comparison and honoring this version of me.”

She also shared how writing her memoir while caring for a newborn forced her to let go of the need for everything to be perfect. “I had to surrender,” she laughed. “The story can still be impactful even if we’re missing a comma or have a typo. My hope is that the heart still comes through.”

Daily Rituals for Self-Trust

Katherine’s daily spiritual practices—journaling, meditation, and morning rituals—are the foundation of her self-trust. She starts each day with a few minutes of reflection, gratitude, and intention-setting. “I journal every morning. The ritual of having my cup of coffee is the same every day. It’s all collected into this time for me to reflect on me,” she explained.

Even as a busy mom, Katherine makes time for these grounding habits. On days when life gets chaotic, she pares it down to three simple journal prompts:

• Three things I’m grateful for
• Three ways I can make today great
• Affirmations that speak to my heart

She emphasized that it’s never too late to reset your day. “If I don’t do it in the morning, I’ll come back to it later. The rest of the day isn’t shot—I can always choose to come back and reset.”

Main Takeaways: When Saying No Is the Bravest Yes

Here are some of the most powerful lessons from my conversation with Katherine Rose Woller:

• Trusting your intuition is a skill you can build through small, daily choices.
• Your body often knows the answer before your mind does—pay attention to physical signals.
• Letting go of perfectionism and comparison opens the door to authentic living.
• It’s okay to “try on” big decisions in your mind before committing.
• Self-trust is built through consistent rituals and self-reflection.
• There’s no shame in changing your mind or walking away from what no longer serves you.
• Compassion from others often follows when you show up authentically.
• Joy and celebration are possible on the other side of hard choices.

Key Quotes from the Episode

• “At the end of the day, the most important thing is the love I have for myself and the trust I have in myself.”
• “Our bodies know. You just have to learn to listen.”
• “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
• “The story can still be impactful even if we’re missing a comma or have a typo. My hope is that the heart still comes through.”
• “It’s never too late to reset. The rest of the day isn’t shot—I can always choose to come back and reset.”

Why This Conversation Matters

If you’re facing a major life decision—whether it’s a relationship, a job, or a personal goal—remember that calling it off isn’t failure. Sometimes, saying no is the bravest yes you can give yourself. Katherine’s story is a testament to the power of self-trust, the importance of listening to your intuition, and the freedom that comes from living authentically.

Whether you’re a high-achieving woman, a recovering perfectionist, or simply someone seeking more joy and self-acceptance, this episode offers actionable wisdom and inspiration. We all deserve to inhabit a life that feels true to us—not one dictated by others’ expectations.

Listen to the Episode

Ready to take the next step? Listen to the full episode on Apple or Spotify. If you’re interested in going deeper, please join the next round of Soul Sisters Book Club for a deeper dive into Katherine’s memoir, and connect with a community of women choosing themselves, one brave decision at a time. (This book is the perfect beach read and we’ll have live Q&A with Katherine on June 13!)

This blog post was generated by AI. Want to learn how I do this in 5 minutes or less? I teach this and more in The Audio Authority Blueprint Podcast [Systems Only] program. Click here to learn more.

*Disclaimer: Denotes an affiliate link. Should you purchase any items through the link to Katherine’s book, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.