Most women aren’t stuck.
They’re avoiding.

😖The bold ask.

😖The boundary.

😖The confrontation.

Most of all, the radical truth.🫨

Why? Because high-functioning women have learned to fear:

💔Rejection

💔Disapproval

💔Abandonment

💔Judgment

And of course they have!

Society has made it uncomfortable for women to exercise autonomy and authenticity by instilling a sense of fear that there will be a consequence for opposing stereotypical gender roles. So, when a woman even thinks to assert herself, her body feels the conflict between what she wants and what she has been conditioned to tolerate.

Those suppressed emotions build into an energy that feels too big to contain. So, her nervous system dysregulates. Her heart races. She sweats. Her stomach might grumble or a headache may begin to set in. She can’t focus and is even confused about whether she was right to assert or appease.

Unfortunately, all of this is normal—the tolerance, the self-doubt, the fear of losing a person or damaging a relationship, and then the nervous system dysregulation that follows.

In fact, women report higher average stress levels than men, with 2023 data showing women averaging 5.3 out of 10 for stress, compared to 4.8 for men, and 27% rating it very high.

Despite higher stress, women are more likely than men to manage it, though they are 49% more likely to have raised, chronic cortisol levels, according to the American Psychological Association.

Does any of this resonate?

If so, don’t beat yourself up. Life is hard enough without shaming or judging oneself.

Plus, all of those physiological symptoms are completely normal when one’s authenticity is in conflict with external influences.

Instead, applaud yourself for having some level of self-awareness and for being open to the opportunity to grow and evolve. I mean, you’re here, reading this, which means you are seeking to level up some aspect of your personal or professional life.

So, let’s explore the truth about what’s holding you back, by asking this one reflective question:

“What am I pretending not to know?”

In other words, what aren’t you acknowledging?

Or, what are you choosing not to face?

Because whatever it is, that is your limitation. That’s what holding you back.

Sure, the avoidance is protecting you from the discomfort of whatever opposition you expect to encounter by trying to live your life on your terms. But is the life you envision for yourself worth the cost of uncertainty?

Here’s the truth: The uncertainty of an outcome is scary. So, your fear of doing something different is understandable.

But what is the worst that could happen?

Really. Ask yourself that question.

Because the worst that could happen in any situation is that someone could die. So, unless you can honestly say that death is an imminent consequence of you asserting yourself, then there really is not anything to fear.

✅Yes, some people may not be happy with your sudden choice to assert your wants and needs.

✅Yes, some may have negative things to say or dissociate from you altogether.

✅Yes, people will judge and diminish to deter you from growth.

But you'll be okay. Right?

You'll still be standing. You'll still be breathing. You'll still be the same person you were before, just with a little more life experience and maybe a stronger backbone.

Once you realize you are entitled to assert yourself, I want you to consider why people, particularly those who claim to love you, wouldn't support you in your efforts to do more and be more and rise to your full potential?

Because there are usually jealousy or limiting beliefs involved—both of which are other people’s problems, not yours.

I would also question whether those people really truly do love or care about you, because those who do will WANT you to be everything you want to be and do whatever you seek to accomplish.

So, when avoidance feels safer than growth, consider whether regret lands louder than fear.

Then, go to https://accelerator.danasdiaz.com to take a diagnostic quiz to determine which of my Shifting Gears courses best suits your needs for clarity, confidence, and a structured decision-making system.

Because you can have everything you want. You just have to choose to, by choosing you.💖✨