The fill-in-the-blank expectations that accompany passivity robs your nervous system and work capacity. You do not need to take action and direction from passive communication. This only reinforces poor communication. You can clarify expectations. You can communicate directly. Journal Prompts: They didn’t say it, but I know they meant... They could probably tell I was...

Just because something went wrong, does not mean it’s your fault. If boundaries are difficult for you, check your sense of over-responsibility. Journal Prompts: When people hand out responsibility cards I... I did not need to take responsibility for...

Survey the sustainability of your current work situation. Actions that offer praise and promotions may not be sustainable, further, they may be distant from what is in service of your wellness. Journal Prompts: I felt resentful when I said yes to... It is not sustainable to...

Anxiety is the winner when expectations are unclear. To mentally survive in a work environment it is reasonable and necessary to have clear expectations. Journal Prompts: ...is not clear to me. In my work I do... In my work I do not...

Like a tire trying to leave the mud, work spits on the rest of your life when there are no clear end times. Your nervous system needs the security of a limit. Journal Prompts: My normal end time is when... My nervous system requests...

Sometimes boundaries at work means that you practice the art of hesitating. Practice hesitating to answer, taking action, or being the one doing the thing. Journal Prompt: I could hesitate...

Overextending yourself in the workplace signals surface, motivated and team player vibes. But when you ghost yourself, constantly abandoning internal nudges of limits, you become resentful and burnt out. Journal Prompts: I ghost myself when... On the surface I appear... I have become resentful of...

Work functions like a family system, which is to say, familiar roles–read, familiar frustrations–show up in both. Like if you are frequently rescuing people in your family, you might also discover yourself rescuing people at work. Setting boundaries at work means recognizing your patterns. Journal Prompts: At work I tend to be the... At home I tend to be the...