This is what I learned about boundaries from a hurricane Katrina survivor 🌪
In 2005, hurricane Katrina barreled in & uprooted thousands. 62 families landed in my back yard in rural Georgia and a team of us mobilized to get them back on their feet.
One interaction with a survivor stands out.
A young woman was stuck in a system of toxic relationships in New Orleans. Katrina separated her from her loved ones and she realized how much calmer her life was – despite being displaced from her home.
So she decided to change her life, and carefully crafted her voicemail message to start the process:
“Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have decided to make some changes in my life. If I do not call you back, you are one of those changes.”
Boom 💥
This one statement showed me a wonderful boundary framework that I still use today.
⭕️ Step 1: “Due to circumstances beyond my control”
❣️Shit happens. Life changes. We changed. Acknowledging those changes are step 1 to creating healthy boundaries.
⭕️ Step 2: “I have decided”
❣️This survivor embraced her own agency in the situation and “decided”
❣️Boundaries require a decision
⭕️Step 3: “To make a change”
❣️A decision leads to a change. One is in the head, one is in the feet.
⭕️ Step 4: “If I do not call you back, you are one of those changes
❣️This is the intended change.
Hope this helps you begin the process of setting boundaries. How are you doing? Let me know in the comments. 👇🏻