15 Days to Christmas: Movie Night and Bigger Picture of Boundaries

Draw your movie, meal, and snack, and enjoy the time with your family.

By now, you would have had some communication with the extended family, and the stress might be starting to show.

Have you been giving in and conforming to your detriment because you want to keep the peace? Your old people-pleasing habit has gotten the better of you. Remember, your family depends on you to be the one to give in. You have taught them how to treat you.

Take time today to decide what you are not prepared to compromise on. What is important to you, and where are you drawing the line? You see, only you can determine that. Everyone else is busy with their own boundaries. It is up to you to enforce your boundaries.

How?

First and most importantly: Know what your boundaries are. What are you not prepared to compromise on? What will cause you pain and frustration if you do not honour yourself?
Say NO. No explanation. No anger. No guilt. You have permission to love yourself, honour yourself, and to care for yourself.
 

Consider this: When someone asks something of you and your answer is YES, do they ever ask why? NO is the opposite of yes, so why do you want to explain why you say no, and why do you want to feel guilty for saying no?

They are not using and abusing you. You are allowing them to. You can stop them.