Untangling Life
We believe anyone can design a life they truly want. But how do you get there without defaulting to courses or choices that don't serve you?
Hattie Willis and Andy Ayim MBE invite you into their honest conversations about the breakthrough moments, the inevitable knots, and the universal "is this normal?" questions. Each week, we share practical tools and real-context stories to help you break free from limiting beliefs and move toward a life where your work and personal roles feel integrated and aligned.
If you’re seeking a supportive community and a gentle roadmap to navigate uncertainty—turning chaos into a clearer path—you’ve found your space. We're not fixing your life; we’re figuring out our own, and inviting you to join the untangling.
Want to dive deeper? Checkout our newsletter for journalling prompts and resources with each episode https://substack.com/@untanglinglifepod
Untangling Life
Episode 6: The Power of Saying No
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Boundaries. The topic everyone’s talking about… and very few of us are actually implementing.
In this episode of Untangling Life, we explore what boundaries really mean - at work, at home, and with ourselves - and why we often wait until we’re at breaking point before setting them.
From family dynamics (“it’s always me”) to back-to-back meeting culture, from people-pleasing to entrepreneurial overwhelm, we unpack the hidden opportunity cost behind every yes - and what your time is quietly being traded for.
You’ll hear:
- Why we tend to set boundaries in explosions rather than early signals
- The difference between work-life balance, integration and separation
- How opportunity cost can reframe your decision-making
- Andy’s “2 and 5” rule for protecting family time
- The red / blue / black framework for auditing how you spend your time
- Why strategy time (and thinking time) needs protecting
- How managers can model boundary-setting for their teams
- And how to experiment with boundaries without blowing up your relationships
We also get honest about the boundaries we struggle to keep with ourselves - the deep work we avoid, the uncomfortable tasks we procrastinate, and the internal narratives that get in the way.
If you’ve ever snapped after saying yes too many times, felt resentful about your workload, or struggled to protect your own time… this one’s for you.
As always, we close with practical journaling prompts to help you experiment with boundaries in your own life.