When Being Helpful Hurts: A Guide to Better Boundaries When You’re Feeling Drained

“You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.” ~Tony Gaskins It was a Tuesday afternoon when I said the word that saved my sanity: “No.” Just two letters. But the weight I’d been carrying for twenty-eight years finally lifted. My phone was ringing. Again. It was my cousin, and I already knew what she wanted before I answered. Could I watch her kids this Saturday? I know it’s your only day off, but it would really help me out. I sat in my car in the grocery store parking lot, …