Boundaries and emotional aftertaste..

We usually associate aftertaste with food. But it can also be related to interactions with other people.⁣⁣.

I’ve been paying attention to how I feel after I engage with someone. Because I am trying to say “yes” and “no” when I really mean it, my interactions don’t always go the way they used to, and I am receiving strong feedback when my boundaries are not accepted.⁣⁣
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And, by the way, it can be felt even if the person you are dealing with is not openly pushing back. It can just be an uncomfortable feeling that you did or said something wrong with the need to justify your decision. I am sure most of us experience this at times when trying to say “no” to certain people, but don’t know how to describe or label this.⁣⁣
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So I check in with myself on the aftertaste of each interaction.. Do l feel light, free and abundant? Or do I feel guilty, judged and emotionally depleted?⁣⁣
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While the answer can often be an indicator of other people’s intentions or manipulations, it primarily shows the reality of my relationship with myself and points to the things to work on to not be triggered.⁣⁣
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If I feel inferior and not good enough after being around someone, it doesn’t always mean that this person is toxic (even though I would still stay away from them). But it is always a sign that I’m lacking self-confidence and my ego is trying to receive validation externally, while the only way to build self-esteem is from within.⁣⁣
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Paying attention to the aftertaste of each interaction is a muscle that can be developed. Notice how every time you do something in alignment with your our integrity and intuition, it tastes like freedom.⁣✨⁣

And if you feel like some of your boundaries are not being respected, and would like to have tools and strategies for dealing with this, reach out & let’s chat. I’d love to help :)

Xo Olena