Boundaries

I searched for a journal prompt of the day, and one was about boundaries. Specifically, which boundaries would you set for yourself to make your life better or more productive, or whatnot? I think my answer would be my boundaries with alcohol, which I’ve noticed I’ve started to drink more of. I don’t have a drinking problem by any means, but it again feels like a slippery slope situation, sort of like what happened in graduate school when I let things get out of control. I’m a happy drunk, so alcohol can do wonders for my mood in the short term. Yet, the long-term detriment to my health and wrecking of my sleep hygiene make it (mostly) not worth it in the end. I think I need to find a way to get better at setting boundaries with my drinking soon. 

All in all, I think I had about five to ten drinks last week. It was my birthday, after all, so I don’t really regret it, and it was a celebration with my new best friend, with whom I hope to share many years of love and support. This all really should be a cause for celebration, and turning 37 is somewhat of an accomplishment as well, I suppose. 

But I think about other boundaries that I need to set, and it’s perhaps related to not being so overly nice to everyone around me. In other words, I need to protect my time and learn how to say ‘no’ to people more often. My time is valuable: I am a doctor, after all, and I hone my skills and analytical mind daily. I can’t just be giving all that time away willy-nilly. It doesn’t make any economic sense, and it’s probably also not good to be exposed to just anyone out there.