
Boundaries That Don’t Feel Harsh
From Put it in a bubble by Marilyn Barker
February 12, 2026 · 12 min · Season 3 · Episode 6
About this episode
Marilyn explores how to create boundaries that protect your energy while honoring who you are.
Setting boundaries doesn’t have to feel cold, confrontational, or guilt-ridden. In this episode, Marilyn explores how to create boundaries that protect your energy while still honoring who you are. This conversation reframes boundaries as acts of self-respect—not rejection—and offers gentle, realistic ways to set limits without over-explaining or shutting people out. If you’ve ever avoided boundaries because you didn’t want to disappoint others or create conflict, this episode offers a calmer, more sustainable approach. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: Why boundaries often feel uncomfortable or “harsh” The difference between walls and healthy boundaries How unclear boundaries lead to resentment and burnout Recognizing where you’re stretching past your capacity Quiet, compassionate ways to protect your energy Reflection Questions: Where in my life do I feel most drained right now? What am I giving too much of without realizing it? What small boundary could support me this week? Listener Reminder: Boundaries don’t make you difficult. They make you sustainable.
People in this episode
Host: Marilyn Barker
Topics covered
- boundaries
- self-respect
- energy protection
- mental health
- conflict resolution
Keywords
- boundaries
- self-improvement
- mental health
- energy
- conflict
More episodes of Put it in a bubble
- Saying No Is Not Mean · June 10, 2026 · 15 min
- When You Are Tired of Your Own Thoughts · June 3, 2026 · 16 min
- When We Lose Someone We Love · May 27, 2026 · 20 min
- One Small Shift · May 20, 2026 · 17 min
- The Weight Nobody Sees · May 13, 2026 · 18 min
- You Know Better. So Why Is It Still Hard? · May 6, 2026 · 14 min
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