Step 17: Know Your Boundaries
“Boundaries are, in simple terms, the recognition of personal space.”
We're all people pleasers on some level. There's at least one person we don't want to disappoint, one person who's opinion really matters to us, or one person who has a way of talking us into something we may not what to do. But sometimes we end up being yes-men. Whether you're reluctantly going to someone's house to help with their volunteer project or staying an extra hour late at work, you end up saying yes.
You end up driving yourself crazy.
I don't know about you guys but I have a hard time putting my foot down. I want to be the person who helps with everything. If I'm open, good things will come my way. But when there's no filter, bad things slide through too. And when they do, I'm stuck dealing with them and blaming myself. Now I'm stretched way too thin trying to make everyone else happy while I'm stuck.
The lesson for today is to learn your hard No's. Sometimes you need to draw a line in the sand. Sometimes you need to say no. It’s ok to say no to anything. Your consent matters in every decision you make. This includes job opportunities, starting and ending relationships, figuring out where you want to live, anything and everything in between. No one else is living your life so no one else gets to decide what you do.
