For a long time, I confused caring with self-sacrifice. It seemed to me that if I explained, justified and tolerated, I was a good woman. In reality, I simply did not know how to defend myself.

Personal boundaries are not about coldness. They are about clarity. About the ability to stop when it becomes uncomfortable and not look for excuses. When I learned to be silent instead of explaining, peace appeared in my life.

The feeling of guilt arises when we begin to choose ourselves. It seems to test our resolve. But over time, understanding comes: self-respect begins where the need to be comfortable ends.

My silence is not aloofness. It is a form of inner strength that I no longer give away unnecessarily.