How to Set Boundaries with Family and Honour Your Truth

How to Set Boundaries with Family and Honour Your Truth

2020 was a year that turned everything upside down — and for many of us, it gave us clarity we didn’t know we needed. If you think about the saying “2020 vision,” last year made us look at our lives and our relationships with fresh eyes. It exposed cracks in systems — financial, political, emotional — and asked us to reflect, re-evaluate, and reclaim what really matters.

For me personally, 2020 cracked open a deeper truth: who I thought I was, who I am, and who I want to be going forward. There were beautiful milestones — consolidating my workspaces, getting engaged, expecting my first child — but also some really hard moments, especially around family.

This past year, I made the decision to stop shrinking myself to fit into outdated expectations, even when it came from the people I love. Like many people who are sensitive to energy, I can feel when judgement or resentment is being directed at me. I used to ignore it. I used to keep showing up out of obligation. But that didn’t feel like self-respect anymore.

I realised that learning how to set boundaries with family — real boundaries, not just polite avoidance — was essential for my emotional health and the wellbeing of my unborn child. It’s never easy to step back from long-standing family dynamics. But I knew I couldn’t keep attending gatherings or maintaining relationships that left me feeling small, anxious, or disrespected.

So this year, I’m choosing something different. I’m choosing peace. I’m choosing to surround myself with people who see me and value me. I’m choosing to honour my energy and stop forcing connection where there’s resistance.

If you’re in a similar situation, I invite you to reflect:

• What do you actually get out of this dynamic or event?

• Are you showing up because it feels right or because you feel guilt?

• Can you give yourself permission to prioritise your emotional safety?

It’s not easy. There may be backlash. But you don’t need permission from anyone else to live in alignment with your truth. The more you honour yourself, the more you give others permission to do the same.

So as we move forward, let’s remember this: boundaries aren’t walls — they’re a form of love. And they begin with you.

Wishing you peace, clarity and strength as you navigate your own boundaries this season.