Number three really resonated with me. I believe some situations call for a certain level of professionalism, and that’s where boundaries become essential. But in personal relationships, learning to express how you feel creates a sense of safety because it signals to the people closest to you that they can also open up. It's hard, but it's a win win at the end of the day.
It's a great point that expressing oneself with authenticity to others gives them the signal that it's okay for them to be authentic, too. Definitely a game of vulnerability "chicken," but as you say, a win-win when it works.
Number three really resonated with me. I believe some situations call for a certain level of professionalism, and that’s where boundaries become essential. But in personal relationships, learning to express how you feel creates a sense of safety because it signals to the people closest to you that they can also open up. It's hard, but it's a win win at the end of the day.
It's a great point that expressing oneself with authenticity to others gives them the signal that it's okay for them to be authentic, too. Definitely a game of vulnerability "chicken," but as you say, a win-win when it works.