Reflective Essay: My Boundary Project Journey

Throughout my boundary project journey, I will be focusing on how I can stand up for myself and express my needs to others without feeling guilty or be afraid of losing love. I want to be able to work on my boundary issue of compliance by using the word, “no” whenever it is needed, rather than always giving in. In my first week of the boundary project, I learned a lot about my child’s fears and how my adult could more effectively talk my child off the ledge, rather than completely pushing the child off through ineffective methods. During this week, I had one moment where I ran into my boundary issue. This was because my child self was afraid to say “no” because of fear that my friend would no longer love me or want to be my friend. I had promised my friend that I would tutor her. The only time she was available was at 10:00 pm at night. I knew that if I tutored her that late I would be tired the next day. My child kicked in with the many fears of loss of love and guilt, so I automatically said “yes” without thinking about my own personal needs in that moment. I instantly rejected it. I knew that I would not be at my best if I did this tutoring session but my boundary issue made me feel incredibly guilty if I even thought about saying “no.” I know …show more content…
If my rational, or adult self, continues to reassure my fearful side, or child, and talks it off the ledge, it will eventually become easier to stand up for myself and look past my fears of losing others’ love or guilt and stand up for what I