This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Bitterness is the result of not having boundaries
If something is out of their budget, they won’t proceed.
If something bothers them, they will communicate.
They’re so skilled at boundaries that they can vocalize others’ boundaries when they’re unable to vocalize them for themselves.
They’re probably my most valued friend because of how healthy, honest, and open our relationship is. It’s so refreshing to be around them.
It isn’t easy to implement boundaries when you’ve never practiced or seen others healthily demonstrate them.
I didn’t start to learn boundaries until much later in life, and let me tell you, the struggle has been challenging.
The guilt, the blowback, the awkwardness, and everything that comes with sharing your truth, expectations, and standards with people in your life or people just entering your life is complicated.
But the more you do it, the easier it gets. It can be a painful process, and not everyone will respond so kindly to you. But the one person who will always appreciate you sharing your truth is you because you break little pieces of yourself when you don’t.
Every time we say “yes” when we mean “no,” we’re hurting ourselves.
Stop hurting yourself, and start saying “no.”
If it’s too difficult to do this for big things, try it with small things, and gradually continue adding things until you’re comfortable saying “no” to bigger things.
It gets easier. I promise.
Some days, it will seem like you’re not making progress. On other days, you will notice all of the progress you’ve made, and you will blurt out “no” because you’re so fed up with saying “yes” when you mean “no.”
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.