Boundaries: 2025’s Excuse For Being Horrible Human Beings

When self-care crosses the line into selfishness.

The boundaries | Image created on Canva

It's amazing what you learn when you stop long enough to listen to other people's conversations.

Yes, I was eavesdropping that day on the beach, but I couldn't help myself. They were talking so loudly, and I was at peace.

Well, I thought I was.

Sitting on the sand, I listened as two women in their mid-20s discussed a party invitation for that night. It was mid-afternoon, and it was clear they had been sitting on the beach for some time, as this wasn't the first time they had had the conversation.

The one in the red bikini spoke the most.

“I know that Rachel is going to be serving a lot of junk, and I just need to stay away from bad food right now.” I noticed she patted her stomach as she talked about it.

I wasn't game to speculate what her actions indicated.

“If that's a dealbreaker for you, you shouldn't be around it,” replied the girl in the black one-piece. Then, just as I was about to tune out, I heard Red Bikini declare loudly: “Boundaries, right?”

There it was, the word of the year bandied around social media and my life to the point that it's losing all…