Managing Boundaries: My Personal Journey

   I’ll be honest, setting boundaries used to feel like a foreign concept to me. For the longest time, I thought that being “nice” and always saying yes was the key to being a good friend, family member, or colleague. But over the years, I’ve learned that not having boundaries can leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and even resentful. And, as much as I hated to admit it, I was burning out.

   I used to constantly stretch myself too thin, saying "yes" to every request, even when I knew I didn’t have the emotional bandwidth. That's when I realized that I had to start putting myself first, and that meant learning to set boundaries.

   I used to think that saying “no” would make me seem selfish or uncaring. But over time, I learned that boundaries are actually an act of self-respect, not selfishness. By respecting my own limits, I can show up as my best self for others. 

   I’ve realized that not all energy is worth sharing. Some people, situations, or environments drain me, and I need to know when to step back. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is how to walk away from toxic or emotionally exhausting situations. It’s not always easy, some days I get it right, and other days I struggle. But I’ve learned to be kind to myself when I slip up, and I give myself permission to reset.

   Boundaries are still a work in progress for me, but every small step I take toward honoring my limits has made a huge difference in my mental health. It’s not about shutting people out or being unkind. It’s about creating space to care for myself so that I can show up fully for others. 

You can’t pour from an empty cup.