I won’t take this anymore…

Tags

boundaries, happiness, Healing, journey, life, life lessons, love, mental health, personal growth, Truth, wisdom, writing

Middle age has taught me that peace requires choices and not just luck. The older I get the less things I will tolerate – either in others or in myself (therapy is helping with this too)

1. B.S. – I’m just not dealing with nonsense anymore. If I recognize the game you’re playing, you’ll see me quietly backing away and giving you less space in my life. I don’t need the drama.
2. Fake people – This one is trickier for me, because I’m naturally trusting and not great at subtlety. It usually takes me longer to pick up on insincerity. But once I see it, that’s it. I’m done entertaining it.
3. Pretending I’m okay – I’m getting better about this, especially with the people who are close to me. I’m not planning to walk around complaining or being a storm cloud, but I’m also not going to slap on a fake smile for anyone anymore.
4. Not having boundaries – I was the ultimate pushover in my younger years. A professional doormat. Now, I respect my peace too much to let anyone trample it. Boundaries aren’t walls, they’re protection.
5. Arguing with myself – My needs are valid. All of them. I’m learning to stop fighting myself, to stop letting guilt shape my responses. My needs are allowed to change as I change.
6. Taking things personally – This is a habit I’m still breaking. I’ve gotten better, but I still catch myself slipping into old patterns. Recognizing it is progress, even if it’s irritating when I do it.
7. Matching Energy – I’m too old for what feels like petty behavior. If you show me you don’t value your place in my life, I’m not wasting energy trying to match you. I’ll simply shift my attention somewhere it’s wanted.

My goal is simple: I want my middle age, and everything after, to be as peaceful as possible, inside and out. I know life won’t be sunshine all the time. The universe is really good at throwing curveballs. But I can control who I let in, how I show up for myself, and where I put my energy.