Boundaries as Training Wheels for a New Season
If you have ever wanted to say no but felt that lump in your throat, that wave of guilt, or that nagging voice asking, “What if they think I am selfish?”, you are not alone. For a long time, I said yes to things that were quietly draining me.
I remember a time when I agreed to take on extra responsibilities, thinking I could handle it. Within weeks, my evenings disappeared, my creative projects sat untouched, and my body started to let me know something was wrong. That yes cost me more than I realized.
It was not perfect, but I decided to set a “starter boundary.” I gave myself permission to try something small, knowing I could adjust as I went. Boundaries do not have to be flawless or final. They can be like training wheels, helping you balance while you learn a new way of being.
The Starter Boundary Approach
Name What Is Costing You: Pick one thing you keep saying yes to that consistently drains your energy. Maybe it is a volunteer role you have outgrown, extra client work that pushes you past your limits, or social plans you do not look forward to.
Choose a Small Shift: Instead of cutting it out completely, try a lighter commitment, a delayed start, or a pause to reevaluate.
Practice Without Perfection: Expect it to feel a little awkward at first. Notice what changes in your energy, mood, and clarity.
When you honor even the smallest boundaries, you begin to protect your energy, your focus, and your vision. You start to reclaim time and space for what matters most.
Boundaries are not about building walls. They are about building a life that reflects your values. When you learn to set boundaries that protect your vision, you free up space for the clarity and energy you need to take your next big step.
If you are ready to create more space for what matters, the Business x Wellbeing Toolkit gives you templates, prompts, and seasonal reset tools to help you get started. Check it out here.