The power of saying no to emotional labor: “Can you listen to me vent?”

Emotional labor, a term coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild, refers to the emotional demands placed on…

When they make you feel obligated: “I need you to do this for me”

The art of saying no without feeling guilty. It’s a crucial skill to master, especially when…

Setting boundaries with colleagues: “Can you work this weekend?”

When it comes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, setting boundaries with colleagues is an essential…

When they overstep boundaries: “Let me just use your phone for a sec”

Handling conversations that overstep boundaries can be a delicate matter, especially when it comes to personal…

Setting healthy boundaries with family: “Can I borrow your car?”

Setting healthy boundaries with family can be one of the most challenging and delicate tasks we…

How to respond to “You owe me one”

Dealing with guilt trips and manipulative phrases can be draining, especially when someone says You owe…

Learning to prioritize: “Can you watch my kids for a few hours?”

When it comes to taking care of ourselves, one of the most important skills we can…

Responding to guilt trips: “If you really cared about me…”

When someone says If you really cared about me…, it can be a guilt-tripping phrase that…

The importance of saying no: “I need you to…”

As humans, we’re often conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over our own, and saying no can…

When they don’t respect boundaries: “Just this one more thing…”

When someone consistently disregards our boundaries, it can be frustrating, draining, and even harmful to our…