2: Boundaries

Your limits are your responsibility. This is something most people understand. The burden tends to shift though when we talk about boundaries and 'offense', where many seem to think it's the world around them's role to guard them from offense.

Here's the truth. Boundaries are not a set of rules you mandate for others, but a standard to which you hold yourself. They are yours to maintain, articulate, and communicate. Boundaries are not afterthoughts, they are deliberate and intentional.

It's up to you to uphold your boundaries. By communicating, by diverting your attention, or by removing yourself entirely. It is your responsibility.

Being offended is NOT the same thing as being violated. Just because someone has offended you, does not mean they have violated your boundaries or consent. It is up to you to chose to engage or leave accordingly. Not to control others behavior, but to leave on your own accord.

Adjust YOUR behavior to respect YOUR boundaries. Don't expect the world to adjust theirs.