In this episode of Talking Without Permission, I’m sharing a story many of us can relate to—visiting loved ones and leaving emotionally drained, not because of what they did, but because of what we hoped they would do. I used to come home from trips feeling exhausted, hurt, and resentful—not realizing it was my own unspoken expectations and lack of boundaries setting me up for heartbreak.

This time, I did it differently.

I’ll walk you through how I approached my most recent visit with intention, how I protected my energy, managed my expectations, and chose peace without guilt. This isn’t about blaming anyone—it’s about owning your experience, showing up with a loving heart, and releasing the need to overextend just to feel worthy.

If you’ve ever walked away from a family trip feeling like you gave more than you had to give—this one’s for you.