Michelle Obama recently addressed criticism for not attending Donald Trump’s second inauguration, stating she

has no regrets and is learning to prioritize her well-being. On her podcast IMO, co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson,

she told Taraji P. Henson that therapy helped her embrace the power of saying “no,” even when others misinterpret it.

People speculated that her absence from events like the inauguration or former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral

hinted at personal issues, but Michelle clarified that her decisions were about protecting her mental and emotional health.

She even avoided preparing an outfit for the inauguration, knowing she might feel pressured to attend out of obligation.

Taraji applauded her honesty, noting how women are often expected to bear emotional burdens. Michelle agreed,

explaining that she’s intentionally modeling self-respect and boundary-setting for her daughters, Malia and Sasha.

She emphasized that saying “no” isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Her message was firm: women don’t owe anyone an

explanation for choosing self-care. Setting limits, even in the public eye, is an act of strength and clarity.