The Need for Boundaries

Anyone who has ever been a people-pleaser in their lives knows how hard it is to say the word 'no'. It's just two words. One syllable. But somehow, uttering this seems too complex- too complicated. When someone comes up to you and asks for something you know you don't have the time, space or mind to give and yet- YET- that one single word fails to rise up your throat to be spilled out into the open. Yeah, that's called lacking boundaries.

It's great to be a selfless person. To always give to everyone without expecting anything in return is not an easy feat. To be kind to people who have been unkind to you and to make others happy even at the cost of your own is something that only a person with a truly big heart can do. But let me warn you, it will eat away at you. Let's take an instance where you're a glass of water filled to the brim. To quench others' thirst you're just giving yourself away. "It's okay. Drink from me", you reply to every single person that comes your way for help. And that's good. That's great. But soon enough, you'll be empty. You'll have nothing more inside of you to give to anyone- or more importantly, to yourself.

Don't ever let things come to that.

Remember- boundaries!

I'm not saying you have to be unkind or dismissive of every single person's approach. But take heed that what you give to them doesn't leave you depleted in the end. Do not give and give and give and have nothing for yourself after it all. No matter how hard it is or no matter how the other person might take your opinion, learn to say 'no'. In all kinds of relationship dynamics, boundaries are an important aspect. You are your own person and your personal space is your own right. Do not let anyone infringe on it or tell you that you're wrong for setting a wall around it. You OWN it. Whether you choose to share your time and effort, it is YOUR choice.

Be kind, yes. Be helpful and understanding, definitely. But do not be a fragile flower whose petals people can just pluck out and throw away after a while. Even when the person plucking it out is someone who is very much close to your heart.

Remember- NO.

(Inspo for today's blog; not my art!)

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