Respect The Boundaries

This post is specifically for me today, lol. I have to laugh because I have a hard time setting boundaries and I don’t really like it when people set boundaries for me. Now that I’ve gotten that truth out of the way, let me move forward.

Storytime. So, yesterday I had some wine and it wasn’t that much but my emotions were already fragile so drinking intensified that. I became overly sensitive and cried a little and for no reason, I might add. When this happens, I’m usually in a mental space that doesn’t allow me to be emotionally intelligent. I feel a sense of loneliness and want to be near the people I love. Being a travel nurse has a lot of benefits, but being away from familiar faces and people you usually interact with and see on the regular can make you feel alone. I won’t tell you that when my sister helped me drive here to Texas for this assignment it was great. Until she started with her goodbyes then I burst into tears and she said “okay now daddy, don’t start with that crying mess.” LOL:) Back to the story at hand. I called my besties and my sisters, but not one of them answered. I felt a tantrum coming on and I text my rant to them. Then when my sister Robin called me back, I went in on her with an out-of-this-world guilt trip because she didn’t answer the phone. She sat on the phone quietly giggling at my ridiculousness as she is used to it. I went as far as to say I could’ve died and she wouldn’t have known because she didn’t answer the phone. I mean when I lay it on, it is super thick, LOL:) She wasn’t having it and she shouldn’t have. I certainly don’t blame her. She recognizes my nonsense when I start dishing it out and politely and lovingly ignores the hell outta me.

You might ask the point of this post. I’m glad you asked so let me share that with you. Boundaries are needed in every relationship or interaction. It sets the tone for what and how you allow people to treat you. This is regardless of title, so it applies to family, friends, coworkers, jobs, etc. You get the picture. I’m a natural giver so I have a hard time setting boundaries and saying NO to people. I am practicing doing better, but I am a work in progress because I’m literally teaching myself how to treat myself better. This comes after years of self-abuse. Yup, I said it. Some of our trauma and abuse is self-inflicted because we don’t correct things when they happen. Or, as a friend shared with me, we don’t remove ourselves from the things that trigger us and cause us symptoms resulting in greater pain. It can make us cringe, hurt, cry, become depressed, anxious, and depressed, but we’ll still allow these things to happen to us. The word “allow” demonstrates the connotation of “self-infliction.” So, with all that being said, “Set boundaries!” It’s necessary and beneficial in the long run in terms of your physical and mental wellbeing. And don’t let people guilt you into being available when, where, and how they see fit. Do what’s best for you. Thank me later!

Until Next Time,