Episode 17: Boundaries Without Guilt - How to Protect Your Energy Without Shutting People Out
‘Boundaries’ gets thrown around a lot these days, but actually setting them is another story. For many of us, enforcing boundaries feels so awkward and exhausting that it’s easier to just do the very thing we were trying to set a boundary around in the first place.
In this episode, couples and sex therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy and pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Alex DiGrado unpack what boundaries actually are—and why they’re about much more than saying no. They explore the two types of boundaries we all use (what we allow in and what we share out), how both oversharing and shutting down can interfere with real connection, and why burnout, trauma, and gender expectations make boundaries especially hard for parents and caregivers.
If you’re trying to show up for your work, your kids, and yourself without burning out, this episode offers a clear, realistic way to think about boundaries so you can protect your energy and still stay close to the people you care about.
What You’ll Learn:
Boundaries aren’t just about saying “no” (and what oranges have to do with it)
How to use “the pause” instead of an automatic yes (and why “checking your schedule” is about more than just your calendar)
Why oversharing and people-pleasing can make connection harder, not easier
How gender and social conditioning shape the way we learn (or don’t learn) boundaries
Tune in if you’ve ever thought:
“How do I set a boundary without it being this big, awkward thing?”
“Why am I good at setting boundaries in some parts of my life, but not others?”
“I want to be open and connect with people, but I’m never sure how much of myself to share.”
“Why does setting boundaries seem to be so easy for some people, but not for me?”
Resources
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Find a pelvic floor PT near you: pelvicrehab.com or Pelvic Global Directory
Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Connect with us:
Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy
Website: rebeccaeudy.com
Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy
Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack
Dr. Alexandra DiGrado
Website: bostonpelvicpt.com
Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt
Newsletter: Under the Hood
Under the Hood Podcast
Instagram: @underthehooddocs
Website: underthehoodpod.com