Boundaries are essential because they allow you to focus on what truly matters to you and set the rules of engagement for the people you choose to interact with. They aren't about punishing others but, instead, provide clarity that allows relationships to thrive authentically. When you set healthy boundaries, you're essentially saying, "This is how we can connect in a way that respects both of us."

Imagine being a teen mom, juggling work, college, and raising a child—talk about a crash course in life! As if that wasn't enough, I had to navigate all of it as a Black woman in spaces that didn't always make me feel welcome. The pressure to fit into someone else's idea of who I should be was sometimes overwhelming.