The uncomfortable truth is when you change your values, the people who benefited from the old ones resist. This week we're talking about boundaries and the messy, guilt-inducing, relationship-testing reality of them. I've struggled most with boundaries around my time and energy—the assumption that because I'm home, my time is everyone's time. But being home doesn't mean being available. Your time still has value, even if nobody is paying you for it. If you've ever asked yourself "why are boundaries so hard?" this episode explains exactly why—and what you can do about it.

In this episode:

• Why we struggle with boundaries (spoiler: nobody taught us, we were raised to be nice, and we watched our mothers operate from obligation)
• The critical difference between nice and kind—and why you can't be nice and have boundaries, but you can be kind with them
• What boundaries actually are (and what they're not): protection of your time, energy, values, and peace
• The survival-level fears that keep us from setting boundaries: what if they get angry? What if they leave? What if I'm selfish?
• Why the people who love you for your compliance don't actually love you—they love what you do for them
• Where you need boundaries: with kids, parents, spouse/partner, friends, and yourself

Quote of the week: "Boundaries are not mean or selfish. Boundaries are limits on what is acceptable, what we tolerate or participate in. They act as a protection of our time, energy, values, even our peace."

Practice for this week: Notice. Notice where you need a boundary. Where do you feel depleted? Exhausted? Resentful? Where are you saying yes and then upset that you didn't say no? Write it down. Get curious.