Let’s cut the crap: self-care isn’t selfish, indulgent, or optional.
It’s survival.
And if you’re still wearing your burnout like a badge of honor, this is your wake-up call.
In this week’s episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, I sat down with Katie McDonald, founder of b.nourished, speaker, coach, and professional tough-love-giver, to talk about what it really takes to stop numbing out and start showing up.
Katie’s story isn’t pretty, but it is powerful. She went from high-powered corporate exec to hitting a wall so hard it forced her to rethink everything. Now? She teaches high achievers (yes, that’s you) how to reclaim their time, energy, and sanity through unapologetic self-care.
Here’s the blog-reader-only breakdown…
Katie doesn’t mince words: overwhelm isn’t inevitable. It’s a habit.
The endless emails, the overstuffed calendars, the constant “yes” to everything except your own damn needs.
It’s not noble, it’s destructive.
Her advice? Pay attention to the micro-decisions you make every day. They either move you closer to burnout or closer to balance. Choose wisely.
You already know the drill: glass of wine after a brutal day, doom-scrolling Instagram, maybe an extra-large latte to keep the hustle going.
That’s numbing.
Katie challenges us to swap those bandaids for nourishment. Things that actually restore you: movement, stillness, quality food, sleep, and boundaries that keep you sane. (Yes, boundaries are nourishment. Write that down.)
Katie calls herself a “recovering perfectionist,” and if you just nodded along, same.
Perfectionism looks productive, but really? It’s fear in designer shoes. It keeps us stuck, second-guessing, and convinced we’re never enough.
Her reminder: done at 85% beats perfect at never.
Let’s get one thing straight: “No” is a complete sentence.
Katie makes the case that boundaries aren’t about being mean. They’re about integrity. When you say yes to everything, you’re saying no to yourself. And that’s not leadership, that’s martyrdom.
Katie left us with a deceptively simple, absolutely game-changing practice:
Every morning, ask yourself: What do I need today?
Not what your boss needs, not what your kids need, not what your inbox needs. You.
Because the truth is, if you don’t show up for yourself, you won’t have much left to show up for anyone else.
Self-care isn’t spa days and scented candles (though, if that’s your jam, go for it). It’s the radical responsibility of tending to your own damn life so you can actually lead, love, and live with integrity.
Katie’s not here to coddle you.
She’s here to remind you that neglecting yourself is not an option.
So, are you ready to stop numbing and start nourishing?
Listen to the full episode with Katie McDonald here: https://youtu.be/rEmKHML3q1M
Grab her b.nourished Planner (15% off with code MONIQUE15).
And for the love of possibility, stop treating self-care like a luxury. It’s leadership.
~ Monique