If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much,” this conversation hands you the mic back. We trace the quiet conditioning that teaches high achievers to shrink—dial down ambition, soften edges, and convert natural ease into proof of effort. That script morphs into “because I could, I should,” a mantra that hijacks strengths and turns them into obligations. The result? Endless hustle, moving goalposts, and wins that feel strangely hollow.We open up about the years spent overfunctioning—carrying more because we could, working faster because we could, and mistaking exhaustion for excellence. There’s a moment when the mask slips: someone doesn’t like us, and our nervous system wants to collapse into smaller. Instead, we reframe rejection as information, not indictment. That shift clears space to see intensity, drive, and clarity as tools to be chosen, not debts to be paid. We talk about how to set boundaries without guilt, redefine enoughness, and listen to the body’s feedback so ease stops feeling suspicious.From there, we lean into identity: owning the “unicorn” label as a bridge, not a burden. When we stop pretending to be regular horses, the right people can finally find us. We meet fellow unicorns—ambitious, compassionate, self-aware humans—who hold both standards and softness. Together, we swap performance for presence and approval for alignment. You’ll hear practical ways to retire the hustle identity, right-size responsibility, and place your gifts where they’re welcomed. The takeaway is simple and strong: you are allowed to be as much as you are, and you don’t owe anyone your burnout.If this landed, share it with someone who needs the reminder and hit subscribe to get future Moments and full conversations. Leave a quick review to help more unicorns find their herd.Thank you for joining us today on the Balance and Beyond Podcast. We're so glad you carved out this time for yourself!If you’re keen to dive deeper into our world, here are our socials where you can discover more about the toolkit that has helped thousands of women create a life of balance. Website: www.balanceinstitute.comPodcast Website: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcastEmail: [email protected]: https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanneFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterbalanceinstitute/Instagram: @betterbalanceinstitute Thanks again for tuning in, and we'll see you next time on the Balance & Beyond Podcast!

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