The Beauty (and the Beast) of Setting Boundaries

Article & Photos by: allie albanese

Setting boundaries is a skill that’s tough for some and comes naturally for others, but the rewards reaped from doing so are universal.

The Beauty and the Beast: sea oats growing out of a sand dune against a pale pink sunrise sky

Boundaries are not walls. They’re your beaches others can bask on. Not everyone should swim in your oceans. ~Victoria Erickson

‍I’ve never been the best at setting boundaries. Perhaps it’s the people-pleasing middle child in me that struggles to say no or the peacekeeping Libra in me that’s always looking to make everyone happy. Or maybe it’s because I’m super sensitive and even when someone has hurt me, I have a hard time not prioritizing their feelings over my own.

For the longest time, setting boundaries felt selfish and insensitive to me. Which is ironic because it never felt that way to encourage others to set necessary boundaries around the exact same situations that I failed to!

But my views on this have changed, and I’m getting better at drawing boundaries and not feeling guilty for it. Because I’ve learned that healthy boundaries establish trust and help build healthy relationships. And that they create the space and time for you to flourish and to achieve your dreams.

I like the poetic way that Victoria Erickson described this. Because boundaries really are a way to keep at bay the things that tend to drown you rather than to help you stay afloat.

What do you think? How are you at setting boundaries?

Allie Albanese with long brown hair and bright blue eyes smiles warmly while standing in front of a vineyard. She’s wearing a thick, black turtleneck sweater, and the background shows rows of grapevines, green grass, and a clear blue sky on a sunny day.
Allie Albanese with long brown hair and bright blue eyes smiles warmly while standing in front of a vineyard. She’s wearing a thick, black turtleneck sweater, and the background shows rows of grapevines, green grass, and a clear blue sky on a sunny day.

A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she aims to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.

Allie holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from American University and, for more than a decade, has worked as a freelance travel, food, and drinks journalist for various publications across the United States and abroad.

When not out exploring the world in search of the next story to tell, she calls her beloved St. Simons Island, Georgia home.

You Might Also Like

Spring Cleaning Your Brain: close up view of bright fuschia trumpet flowers

Spring Cleaning Your Brain: Is a Seasonal Brain Cleanse Good for Your Mental Health?

Different is Beautiful: the sun setting over the ocean as its rays shine out from behind clouds

Different Is Beautiful

Do Unto You as You Would Do Unto Others: the sun risind over the ocean amidst a pink sunrise sky

Do Unto You as You Would Do Unto Others

Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.

Allie Albanese smiling in a well-lit room, wearing a black top with long wavy blonde hair and a potted plant in the background.

Hi Friends, I’m Allie!

I’m an Italian-German-Southerner with a deep passion for food, drinks & travel. After 15 years in NYC as a Certified Sommelier & cocktail creator, plus a stint in New Zealand learning how to make wine, I’m now back home in Georgia where I blend my love for culinary arts & travel into my work as a writer & photographer. Thank you so much for joining me here at Parched where I look forward to exploring the world together one bite, sip & adventure at a time!

 

Come Eat, Drink, Travel & Learn:
  • Stainless steel Hawthorne strainer with a coiled spring edge, perforated surface, and flat handle, designed to filter ice and solids while pouring drinks.
  • KitchenAid Artisan Plus Tilt Head Stand Mixer in the color mint julep
  • Blue Caraway nonstick frying pan with a smooth light gray interior and a stainless steel handle, shown at an angle to highlight its blue exterior and shallow shape for everyday cooking.

Browse the Parched Shopmy Storefront

  • Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
  • Cut glass cocktail glass filled with a pink orange drink and ice, garnished with a slice of citrus on the rim.
  • Set of five gray and mint green Bagsmart packing cubes in different sizes with zip closures and top handles, arranged side by side with a matching drawstring pouch for organizing luggage.

Get Parched!

Sign up to receive a fresh delivery of recipes, stories, and more delivered straight to your inbox.

Popular Posts:

  • Crystal Cocktail Shaker
  • Digital Luggage Scale
  • Glass Bitters Bottles (Set of 4) with different decorative patterns

Browse the Parched Amazon Shop

  • Riedel Veritas Sauvigon Blanc Glasses (Set of 2)
  • Upright Briggs & Riley suitcase in a deep burgundy color with a front zip pocket, telescoping handle, and four spinner wheels designed for easy travel mobility.
  • Magnetic Measuring Spoons

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

    1. Thanks so much, Anthony! I think it’s so important to take time to turn inward and to get real with ourselves. 💛

      Reply