On handling others’ reactions to our boundaries and truths

There is a difference between not taking over responsibility for other people’s feelings & understanding the impact of our words and actions on others compassionately due to the relational nature of human life.

When we are true to ourselves and act and speak accordingly, sometimes that truth will have a painful ripple in the lives of people we deeply care about. I’m all for living our truth and not taking on how other people interpret or integrate or process that, personally. AND I am also all for staying non-judgemental and loving in the relational field.

Non-judgemental and loving connection can be done at a distance or in close proximity. We may need to take physical and/or emotional space from people while they process our truth, for our own well-being. We may choose to offer them tools, resources, suggestions for receiving support outside of our dynamic, or a timeline for our next connection point so as to share that despite the difficult feelings, care is still present. We may choose to. We don’t have to. Depends on the intricacies of the situation.

Please note: if there is a toxic or abusive relationship dynamic you’re in, you will likely need to disconnect completely for your own well-being. I hope that if this is the case for you, you feel you have the freedom, resources and ability to do so. You don’t need anybody’s permission to take space (permanently sometimes); there is no need for soft balling, no skirting around the dynamic out of worry for how they may feel. Honour your needs for safety and well-being.