155: A Fresh Take on Boundaries—Prioritize What Matters, Avoid Burnout, and Navigate Toxicity

The Best of You

That Sounds Fun Network

Health & Fitness, Mental Health

5 • 710 Ratings

🗓️ 24 April 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Why do I feel guilty for protecting my time or energy? Is this a boundary—or am I just avoiding someone? Boundaries stir up a lot of emotions. But what if they’re not about building walls, avoiding people, or being “selfish”? In this episode, I share a deeply personal and surprising take on what boundaries truly are—and why they matter more than you think. You'll hear: *Why healthy boundaries begin not with rejection, but with rhythm *The two most common ways we misuse boundaries *A powerful metaphor that changed how I think about relationships *How codependency, enmeshment, and burnout signal boundary issues *Real-life scripts and strategies to set boundaries with compassion and clarity Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here. Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here. If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love: Episode 124: Boundaries & Numbing—How to Set Healthy Limits and Stop Avoiding Your Feelings Episode 24: Boundaries, the Spectrum of Toxicity, and a Note About Evil Episode 7: Why Are Boundaries So Hard to Set? Thanks to our sponsors: Turn back time on the appearance of your skin with Purity Woods’s Age-Defying Dream Cream. Go to puritywoods.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more with code BESTOFYOU. Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Visit GoGeviti.com to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code BESTOFYOU. Contact Restoring the Soul today and learn how their Intensive Counseling Process can jump start your journey to the place you want to be. As a special gift for The Best of You podcast listeners, download their pdf called "5 Ways Unresolved Trauma May Be Derailing Your Relationship." I want all my listeners to enjoy a deep, restful night’s sleep with a new mattress from Birch. Go to birchliving.com/bestofyou for 20% off sitewide! Editing by Giulia Hjort Music by Andy Luiten Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Adobe Express is the quick and easy Create Anything app.
0:05.0	It has taken my content to the next level,
0:08.0	making it simple to create everything I need to promote my business.
0:11.0	From Instagram and TikTok posts to logos and flyers,
0:15.0	all in just a few clicks.
0:17.0	Build your brand with Adobe Express.
0:20.0	Search for Adobe Express to find out more and get the app for free.
0:24.0	Adobe Express, the quick and easy create anything app.
0:31.2	Hey everyone, I'm Dr. Allison, and I'm so glad you're here to discover what brings out the best of you.
0:42.0	This podcast is all about breaking free from painful patterns, mending the past, and discovering our true selves in God.
0:50.1	I can't wait to get started as we learn together how to become the best version of who we are with God's help.
0:59.1	Hey, everyone, and welcome back to this week's episode of the Best of You podcast. Today, we're talking about boundaries,
1:07.9	a topic that can stir up a lot of mixed feelings for many of us. On one hand,
1:13.8	boundaries can feel empowering like a reclaiming of your voice, your time, your well-being. On the
1:20.5	other hand, if you're on the receiving end of someone else's boundaries, it can feel confusing,
1:26.2	or even like rejection. And for some of us, boundaries can feel at
1:31.8	odds with being a loving, kind, or generous person. I've struggled with boundaries most of my
1:39.0	adult life. I've struggled with being too rigid, using boundaries like a fortress to keep people out.
1:46.0	For me, sometimes that has looked like ending a relationship too quickly instead of having an honest conversation and telling myself I'm being clear when I was actually just afraid of the emotional discomfort or even feeling awkward.
2:02.7	It's looked like saying no across the board as a default, not because I didn't care,
2:07.6	but because I didn't trust myself to give without losing myself.
2:13.5	It's looked like over-scheduling or overstructuring my life to the point that there was no room left for spontaneity, presence, or unexpected moments of connection.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 10 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from That Sounds Fun Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of That Sounds Fun Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.