What’s One Tiny Rule that Could Change Everything?
The other day I was at Target with my 14 year old daughter and as we got to the checkout line, she said, “Do we have time to grab a Starbucks?”
And then she added, “I brought my wallet.”
Now, if you’re a parent, you know how these things usually go. Requests like that can turn into a negotiation, a guilt trip, or a vague “maybe” that leaves everyone confused. But this one was easy, because I had already set a rule:
I don’t buy Starbucks. (For my children. I buy plenty for myself. 😂)
That’s it. That’s the rule.
It’s not emotional. It’s not a punishment. It’s just a boundary. And because it’s been in place for a while, she didn’t even ask me to buy it. She just asked for time.
Before I set this boundary, Starbucks (and fast food) were constant low-grade stressors.
Should I say yes this time?
Did I say yes last time?
Is this a treat or an expectation?
Is it worth the money?
Am I being mean if I say no?
Once I got clear and consistent, the friction disappeared. My kids stopped asking. I stopped wondering. Now, when I do treat them, on vacation or a special day, it’s met with real gratitude. Not because they were “badgered into no,” but because the expectation was already set.
Here’s my question for you:
What’s one tiny rule/boundary you could create today that would save you time, energy or stress every day? Here are some ideas.
I don’t schedule back to back meetings.
I don’t check email after 6 pm.
If there are groceries at home, we don’t get takeout (or - we only get pizza on Fridays).
We don’t have our phones at the table at all during dinner.
Set one small boundary this week in an area where you feel drained—and stick to it consistently, because real change comes not from repeating yourself, but from following through.
✨ P.S. If you want more ideas like this, take my free quiz to find out what’s really causing your overwhelm—and get personalized tools to feel better fast.
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PONDER THIS
I’m currently reading The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad, which is essentially a guide to journaling. She invited writers to contribute short essays and pair them with a journaling prompt.
I love this because I think journaling is one of the best ways to process life—but sometimes it can get a little stale or boring. These prompts make it feel fresh again.
The one I’m working on right now is called “Just 10 Pictures.”
You think back on the last 24 hours and jot down 10 images that come to mind. That’s it. If one of them stands out, you can write more about it. But you don’t have to.
I love this approach and wanted to invite you to give it a try. If you’re not a journaler (yet—or have no intention of becoming one), you can still try this in your head as you fall asleep tonight. Picture 10 images from your day. See what comes up. You might be surprised by what sticks.
WORK WITH ME
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MOOD SHIFTER
I don’t know if it’s the full moon or what but I’ve been talking to everyone about feeling feelings this week. And I’ve felt some myself. If you want to learn (or need a refresher) on how to feel your feelings in order to feel better, check out this popular episode.
(⬆️ I just used a form of the word “feel” 8 times in that paragraph which feels excessive but necessary.)