Weekly Affirmation – The Good Daughter Artwork

Scenic Route, Social Change and Mental Health for Tired Perfectionists

Scenic Route is a mental health and social change podcast for perfectionists, overthinkers, and high-achievers who are tired of holding it all together.

If you're burned out from performing, people-pleasing, and pretending everything's fine — this is your space to finally exhale.

Hosted by sociologist and recovering perfectionist Jennifer Walter (MA Sociology, University College Cork) — navigating chronic illness whilst rebuilding life in her 40s and rethinking what resilience actually means.

We talk about:
Mental health without the toxic positivity
Real tools for anxiety, burnout, and the inner critic

Social change that starts within
Feminism, capitalism, and how your healing is political

Mindfulness for sceptics
No crystals, no BS, just what actually works

Expect solo deep-dives, expert guests, and the occasional bit of potty humour because healing doesn't have to be so damn serious all the time.

This podcast is for you if:
You're questioning so many things and trying to stay hopeful
You're done with perfectionism but still want to grow
You believe inner work and activism go hand in hand

New episodes every Tuesday.

The longest way round is the shortest way home. That's why we're taking the Scenic Route.

Start with the latest episode — or jump into whatever speaks to you.
The view here is chef's kiss 🫶

All Episodes

Scenic Route, Social Change and Mental Health for Tired Perfectionists

Weekly Affirmation – The Good Daughter

December 05, 2025 • Jennifer Walter • Season 7 • Episode 113

Pause for a breath you didn't know you were holding.

This soft landing is for the woman who's been holding it together so well that no one thinks to ask if she's okay.

The affirmation:
"I am allowed to disappoint people and still be good."

Goodness isn't measured by how much access others have to you, but by how honestly you honour your limits.

We examine why performance – the relentless yes, the full calendar, the reflex to fix – feels like safety, yet slowly erases our needs. And why boundaries aren't conflict. They're clarity.

For perfectionists, oldest daughters, people-pleasers, and women unlearning the performance of strength.

Choose yourself without apologising, so your next yes can be wholehearted.

About Soft Landings:
Every Friday on The Scenic Route, one grounded affirmation to help you rest, reset, and remember who you are.

Send me a DM

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit jenniferwalter.me – your cosy tree house where tired perfectionists and those done pretending to be fine find space to breathe, dream, and create real change.

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

🔮 DAILY DOSE OF CHILL
The Scenic Route Affirmation Card Deck is your online invitation to trust your inner voice again. What does your card say? Share it with me!

👉 Pull Your Free Card

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW?
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review. It helps other women find their way to the Scenic Route.

Jennifer Walter: 0:00

It's Friday. You're taking the scenic route, and you've been carrying so much. I know you're feeling weary of being the one who holds it all together. So take a breath. You don't have to do anything right now. You're allowed to rest. If you've been holding it together so well that no one thinks to ask ye if you're okay, here is your soft landing. I am allowed to disappoint people and still be good. I am allowed to disappoint people and still be good. See, we've been taught that being good equals being available. Goodness equals availability. That it means saying yes when we're running on empty. That we should not let people down, even if it means that we're letting ourselves down and we slowly disappear. But that doesn't have anything to do with goodness and more about performance. And we're done performing. Because here's the truth: disappointing people doesn't make you bad. It just means you have limits and boundaries. It means you're choosing yourself. It means you're done pretending you don't have needs. And yes, people might be upset, but their disappointment is not any relation to yours. So this week, if you need to cancel plans, cancel them. If you need to say no, say it. If you need to let someone down gently, then so be it. You're allowed to take up less space in other people's lives. And still feel good. So that's your soft landing for the week. I'll see you again Tuesday.