Life hack! The meaning of “boundaries” has gotten so stretched that you can actually now say “this is crossing my boundaries” every time you’re slightly uncomfortable or just don’t feel like being empathetic. Yay!
Here are 10 boundaries you should set for yourself this year for maximum self-preservation:Leave every party after 15 minutes. You need time for yourself. It’s not being rude. You’re just taking time for yourself. A short appearance maintains social status without draining your personal capacity. If anyone stops you at the door and says, “Hey, you just got here,” that counts as harassment.
- Replace “sorry” with “it sounds like you’re choosing to be upset.” Reject apology culture—it reinforces patriarchal guilt conditioning. You should practice redirecting emotional accountability outward, where it belongs. This is not gaslighting, it’s protecting your peace.
- Stop explaining yourself.
- Don’t pay your “rent” or take out “the trash”. Both are oppressive constructs.
- Tell your group partners you will only participate spiritually. Your aura is enough.
- Let professors know you don’t believe in “deadlines” because time is colonial.
- Tell your parents you’re not taking calls until they unlearn intergenerational trauma.
- Make your friends pay you a friendship subscription. Friendships are emotional labor
- Fake internet connection issues every time you need to get on Zoom.
Block your professor on Gmail.