Hello, Reclaimers,

How do you know when you need to stop something or are ready for a change?

For a lot of us, whether we're aware of it or recognise it with the benefit of hindsight, our knowing crept up on us with niggles and hints.

While we'd like to think that the realisation hits us out of the blue like a thunderbolt, even those thunderbolt moments stem from subtler, missed or ignored niggles and hints. We were simply ready to hear and see whatever it was.

Recently, I accepted something that's been brewing on the quiet for a long time--that it's time for me to stop the podcast and stop adding to Baggage Reclaim. A major decision, particularly with the latter that's been a part of my life for almost eighteen years.

As I talk about in The Joy of Saying No, being intentional with our yeses and nos allows us to welcome more of what we need, desire, and deserve.

It's one thing to recognise that we need or want to stop or change something; it's another to actually give ourselves that permission to go ahead.

I want to stress, just in case you don't get around to listening to the second-last episode of The Baggage Reclaim Sessions, that I'm still going to be me. I'll still be creating--it's just time for me to do so in a different vehicle and in ways that serve and nurture the person I am now.

The podcast and Baggage Reclaim are not about to disappear either, and I'll still write a newsletter but will likely make some changes to it. More on that soon.

It feels so strange to write these words. Harder, in some respects, than saying them in the latest episode of the podcast, where I share where I'm at and some of the whys of my decision. Listen here.

And if you'd like to send in a question for the final episode, which I'll do with my husband Em, hit reply.

I am super thankful and blessed to have been surrounded by a very generous and loving community of readers and listeners.

Thank you so much for your support.

Until next time, take care of you,

Natalie x

P.S. Here are a few recent interviews I've done.

Loved chatting with Joe on The Retirement Wisdom podcast about what retirement can reveal about our need to say no.

I wrote about being diagnosed with an immune system disease, sarcoidosis and how it forced me to confront my buried pain for OK.co.uk.

And over on Hello Giggles, I wrote about why millenial women struggle with saying no.

Upcoming Events

Today, 19th January | The Writers' Salon | Setting Boundaries in Your Creative Life Q&A

23rd January | Shelf Help (v. cool self-help book club)|A Workshop on Boundaries and Emotional Baggage

8th February | Adventures in Marketing | I'm a speaker at this one-day event in Edinburgh, Scotland, about celebrating the fun and exciting parts of marketing.

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PRAISE FOR THE JOY OF SAYING NO

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“With her unrivalled insight into the ways of people pleasing, Natalie Lue nails the reasons why we continually say yes and gives us permission not to. Enjoy the joy of saying NO, relieved of guilt or obligation. Freedom awaits.”

Susanna Reid, host of ITV's Good Morning Britain

“After reading The Joy of Saying No, I will never say yes out of guilt again. I feel empowered now to say yes when the situation and opportunity are in alignment with my heart and path. I feel lighter and more aligned as a result.”

Sylvester McNutt, bestselling author of Care Package

Order The Joy of Saying No from your favourite bookseller.