BOUNDARIES

Do you ever feel overwhelmed because you take on other's stress?  Do people bring you their problems?  Do you have that friend that shares his/her negative energy with you?  

It is very important to establish boundaries.  Think of boundaries this way - pretend someone is throwing a ball at you - your natural response is to catch it (instinct).  You caught the ball but you already have enough of your own.  Now that you have caught their ball - you own it.  Did you need more problems, drama or things you could not manage? Probably not.  Trust me - your friends will share their stress because MISERY LOVES COMPANY!  Try this instead - step aside and let the ball go past you, duck so the ball misses you or let it bounce off of you entirely - no hands required.  

DO NOT BE A SPONGE for others.  If you do for one - word gets out (becasue problem people have a lot of time to talk) and now your "problems" have multiplied.  This will render you ineffective in managing your own life.   When you do not absorb others problems, they will stop bringing them to you.  It is much better to be alone than to be overwhelmed by problems and negative energy.  Work to become rubber and let things bounce right off of you!  You got this!!