If you grew up learning that being yourself led to criticism, rejection, or pain, masking may have felt like the safest option. Over time, that protection can start to cost you connection, intimacy, and a sense of self, even while authenticity still feels dangerous. This inner conflict can leave you feeling stuck, anxious, or unsure how to move forward in recovery. Understanding this double bind can help you take small, safer steps toward being real without overwhelming your nervous system.

Healthy boundaries are built not only by knowing your limits, but by learning how to communicate them without blame, aggression, or shutdown. Clear, respectful boundary communication helps protect emotional safety, reduce conflict, and support connection without abandoning your own needs.

In this video, I talk about a part of boundaries that often gets missed: knowing when to ask for permission instead of just setting a limit. I walk through everyday examples involving shared space, comfort, and power dynamics, and how assumptions can unintentionally cross lines. At the heart of it, healthy boundaries are not just about protecting yourself. They are also about respecting others and involving them when your choices affect their world too.