Hey there. There was a time when I let other people’s problems weigh me down. Not just emotionally, but in a way that pulled me away from the goals I had set for myself. The truth is, it wasn’t really about them. It was about what I was choosing to carry. And once I realized that I was taking on things that weren’t mine to hold, I could finally start to let them go.
This doesn’t mean you stop caring. It means you start observing. When I noticed that I had been shouldering other people’s stress, I didn’t beat myself up over it. I just acknowledged it. I saw that it was holding me back and I decided to change it. I had to stop trying to be the fixer, the savior, or the crutch. I had to start taking care of myself first.
You’ve probably heard that you can’t pour from an empty cup. But this isn’t just a cute saying. It’s real. If you spend your life catering to everyone else’s needs without honoring your own, resentment will build. You only get one shot at this life. Don’t spend it living someone else’s.
Setting boundaries is a huge part of this. And boundaries are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll tolerate different things from different people based on the closeness of the relationship. That’s normal. But be mindful of how much access each person has to your time, energy, and vulnerability.
And be honest with yourself. If someone’s energy is constantly chaotic and you’re trying to live in a calm, deliberate way, that contrast will affect you. The more grounded you are, the clearer your decisions become. And that starts with your mindset. What you allow into your headspace matters.
This applies to weight loss too. You can do the workouts. You can eat the food you planned. You can structure your days for consistency. But if you let someone else’s chaos interrupt that, you’re choosing their drama over your progress. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you need to own your decision. If you don’t want to follow through, be honest about it.
I spent years wanting to be understood. I’ve let that go. Not everyone will get what you’re doing or why you’re doing it. That’s okay. Say no without explanation. You don’t owe your goals to anyone else. You owe them to yourself.
Be kind. Be supportive. But do not carry what isn’t yours.
If you’re ready to stop taking on everyone else’s stress and focus on your own growth, let’s work together. Join one of the YLF programs today and let’s build the life that’s right for you.