Episode. 16 "The mental load nobody see's because you make it look easy."

Episode. 16 "The mental load nobody see's because you make it look easy."

Episode 17 — "She Was Always the Strong One. Nobody Checked on Her." Everyone decided you were the strong one. Not because you asked for it. Not because anyone sat down and voted. But because when things fell apart, you stayed steady. When there was a crisis, you handled it. When everyone else needed holding — you held them. And because you did it so well, so consistently, so quietly — nobody thought to ask if you were okay. Not because they didn't care. Because they genuinely couldn't imagine that you needed it. This episode is about the hidden cost of being the strong one. Not the exhaustion — you know about that already. The deeper cost. The grief of never being the one who got to fall apart. The loneliness of competence. The slow erosion of the woman underneath the role. And the boundary nobody ever talks about — the one that was set for you without your permission. The boundary around your own vulnerability. This month we're taking our power back. And this week, that starts with something quieter than a boundary conversation or a hard no. It starts with the permission to not be strong. Just for a minute. Just for today. In this episode: — How the strong one label gets built — and why it sets like concrete — What it actually costs you to make it look easy — The boundary around your vulnerability that was never yours to set — Why unfelt feelings don't disappear — they just go underground — The grief of being the woman nobody thought to check on — Permission to not be okay — and what that actually looks like Grab the free Power Leak Checklist: whatyoutookback.com/checklist If nobody has checked on you lately — consider this your check-in. I see you. And you are allowed to put it down.

Episode. 15 "You are not difficult. You are just done."

Episode 15 — "You are not difficult. You are just done." You were the easy one. The agreeable one. The one who never caused a fuss. You let things roll off your shoulders. You swallowed the truths that deserved to be said out loud. You kept the peace — even when it meant losing yourself. And somewhere along the way, you called it strength. It wasn't strength. It was self-abandonment. In this episode, we're talking about what happens when you finally stop pretending you're fine. When you stop performing agreeable. When the real version of you — the one with opinions and needs and things she actually thinks — starts showing up. And why, when that happens, suddenly you become difficult. This episode is for the woman who has been called too much, high maintenance, or dramatic — when the truth is, she just stopped being convenient. Because you were never difficult. You were just done. In this episode: — Why "being the easy one" is a survival strategy, not a personality trait — Where the guilt comes from when you stop performing fine — What "difficult" actually means — and who it serves — The small, quiet moments that are actually seismic — Why the strongest thing you can do is stop pretending Grab the free Power Leak Checklist: whatyoutookback.com/checklist If this episode made you feel seen — share it with a woman who needs to hear it. She knows who she is.

Episode. 14 "The Bare Minimum is Still Something."

EPISODE 14: THE BARE MINIMUM IS STILL SOMETHING Ever had one of those days where simply getting through it felt like an achievement — but you still convinced yourself it wasn't enough? This episode is for the woman carrying the mental load, juggling everything, showing up for everyone else, and quietly beating herself up for not doing more. Somewhere along the way, you started believing every day needed to be productive, exceptional, purposeful. You stopped giving yourself credit for surviving hard seasons. You made "just getting through it" something to be ashamed of. In this episode Skye talks about the pressure you place on yourself, the unrealistic standards you've normalised, and why the bare minimum deserves far more recognition than it gets. Because sometimes the win is getting out of bed. Sometimes the win is making it through the day. And sometimes the win is simply not giving up. The bare minimum is still something. And so are you. If this episode hit close to home, start here: The free Power Leak Checklist will show you exactly where you've been losing energy, confidence and yourself — in five minutes or less. It's the first honest look most women take at what's actually draining them. → Get it free at whatyoutookback.com/checklist Ready to go deeper? The Noticing (7-day) and The Awakening (28-day) are built for the woman who is done performing fine and ready to start reclaiming herself. → whatyoutookback.com/programs Follow + subscribe so you don't miss what's coming. This is just the beginning.

Episode.13 'The Price Of Being Everything To Everyone'

Episode 13 — The Price Of Being Everything To Everyone Following on from last week’s episode My Sister’s Keeper, this conversation goes deeper into the roles women inherit… and the identities they slowly disappear inside of. Some women were never taught how to belong to themselves. Only how to be useful. Needed.  In this episode, Skye explores the quiet conditioning many women carry through relationships, motherhood, marriage, family and even friendships. The unspoken agreements to stay manageable, emotionally available and easy to hold onto… even when it comes at the cost of themselves. Because sometimes the hardest thing to admit is not that someone kept you. It’s that somewhere along the way, being needed began to feel safer than being free. Raw, reflective and deeply honest, The Price Of Being Everything To Everyone is a continuation of My Sister’s Keeper — but this one turns inward. This episode is for the women who: * feel emotionally exhausted * struggle to ask for more * carry everyone else * fear disappointing people * mistake loyalty for self-abandonment * have spent years shrinking themselves to keep relationships comfortable The Power Receipt Method™ programs are now open. The Noticing — 7 Days The Taking Back — 28 Days Explore the programs: https://whatyoutookback.com/programs/ [http://www.whatyoutookback.info] Follow @whatyoutookback on socials. Join the quiet rebellion.

Episode. 12 "My Sisters Keeper"

# My Sister's Keeper: Navigating the Complexities of Caregiving in Childhood  Explore the emotional journey of childhood caregiving in "My Sister's Keeper". Understand the impact of early responsibility on personal growth and mental health. In this deeply personal episode of "What You Took Back", host Skye Underhill opens up about the intricate dynamics of being a caregiver from a young age. For many, especially women, childhood can often demand roles that require them to be the strong, capable ones—often at the expense of their own emotional well-being. In this podcast, we'll explore the themes presented in Skye's reflections, the challenges faced by caregivers, and what it means to break free from the roles imposed upon us. ## Understanding the Caregiver's Role: In many families, certain individuals take on the responsibility of caregiving, often from a young age. Skye shares her experience of becoming the caretaker for her younger sister, a role she assumed without any formal recognition or choice.   ## The Burden of Responsibility: Often, the child who becomes the caregiver does so because of an environment that necessitates it. Skye describes a pivotal moment at the age of eight when she realised her home was not always a safe space. This awareness led her to take on the responsibility of protecting her sister, shaping her identity from an early age. ##The Emotional Toll: Skye reflects on the emotional complexities of this role, explaining how it required her to read the atmosphere of her home constantly. This hyper-vigilance, although a survival skill, often came with significant emotional costs. It created a pattern of suppressing her own needs and feelings in favour of managing those around her. ## The Impact of Family Dynamics: As Skye narrates her journey, we see how family dynamics can shape a child's experience and understanding of relationships.   ##The Complexity of Parental Roles: Skye discusses her mother's struggles, highlighting that the parental figure may not always fit into a villain role. Instead, they can be complex individuals battling their own demons. This understanding adds depth to the caregiver's experience, as they navigate their own emotions while supporting others. ## Internalising Pain: The act of absorbing the pain around them often leads caregivers to develop coping mechanisms that may not be healthy in the long run. Skye emphasizes that the behaviors learned in childhood, such as emotional suppression and self-sufficiency, can carry into adulthood, affecting personal relationships and mental health. ## Breaking the Cycle: One of the critical themes in Skye's narrative is the need to break free from the roles imposed by childhood experiences.   ## Recognising the Past: Skye urges those who resonated with her story to acknowledge their past without judgment. Understanding that the protective mechanisms developed in childhood were necessary for survival can be the first step toward healing.   ##Creating New Narratives: It’s essential to recognise that the skills developed to survive are not the same as those needed to thrive in adulthood. Skye encourages listeners to challenge the identities formed through caregiving roles and to seek new ways of living that prioritise self-care and emotional expression. ## Key Takeaways   - Caregiving in childhood can lead to complex emotional landscapes that require attention and healing.   - Understanding family dynamics is crucial in recognising the roots of caregiving roles and the impact they have on personal identity.   - Breaking free from imposed roles involves acknowledging the past and creating new narratives that prioritise personal well-being. The journey of reclaiming oneself from the shadows of childhood responsibilities is a path worth exploring. If you find yourself resonating with Skye's experiences, perhaps it’s time to consider your own journey and the stories you carry.