How to set and communicate boundaries
Setting boundaries is the opposite of selfish; it’s how you make relationships sustainable instead of resentful, and your hormones can change how loudly those needs show up.
How do you enforce a boundary when you’ve already been the “yes” person forever—like with family or at work—and now everyone’s mad that you’re changing?
When you’ve been the reliable doormat, people treat your burnout as a betrayal. Enforcing new boundaries will feel awkward and may anger those who benefitted—but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong.
What’s the best way to communicate boundaries in dating (like texting frequency, physical stuff, or alone time) without it feeling like I’m “too much” or “high maintenance”?
You’re not “high maintenance” for having standards; you’re just no longer available for chaos. In dating, boundaries land best when they’re said early, calmly, and as facts about how you work.
How do I set a boundary without sounding like I’m being dramatic or starting drama—especially with friends who take everything personally?
You don’t avoid drama by shrinking yourself; you avoid it by being clear. A boundary is not an accusation, it’s a limit: what you will and won’t do or accept—especially with sensitive friends.