What I Learned
Looking back, I realize there were several warning signs I ignored.
The lawn mower.
The garden decoration.
The casual assumption that my things were available whenever she wanted them.
Each incident was small enough to overlook.
But together, they formed a pattern.
And patterns matter.
If someone repeatedly crosses small boundaries without consequences, they may eventually become comfortable crossing much larger ones.
That's why boundaries are important even when the individual issue seems trivial.
You don't have to scream.
You don't have to threaten someone.
You don't have to create drama.
Sometimes the strongest response is simply saying:
“No. This belongs to me, and you don't have permission to use it.”
