Feeling Responsible for Others: How to Know When Its Too Much (Tips for Setting Healthy Boundaries)

This thing, this feeling responsible for others, it’s a real pain in the neck, you know? Like you gotta carry everyone’s burdens on your own back. Makes a body feel real tired, all the time.

I see it all the time. Folks running around, worried sick about what everyone else is doing or not doing. They get all twisted up inside. Feel bad, feel guilty. Like they ain’t done enough. But it is not easy, is it?

It is good to be kind. It is good to be responsible, but too much is too much.

Some folks, they just feel things more, I reckon. They’re like them sponges, soaking up everyone else’s troubles. They notice every little thing. Someone’s sad, they feel it too. Someone’s mad, they feel it too. They feel responsible for others feeling. It’s a heavy load to carry, that’s for sure.

Now, being a good person, being there for folks, that’s important. You gotta be dependable, you know? You gotta show you care. But it’s like, there’s a line. You cross that line, and you’re just hurting yourself.

You start feeling like you gotta fix everything for everyone.
Like you gotta make everyone happy all the time.
And you end up feeling like a wrung-out dishrag.

Feeling responsible, it is important. But you can not feel responsible for everything.

And this one, I see her all the time. She is always doing for others. But not herself. She has a kind heart. But it is too much. It’s like she’s proud of it, in a way. Like it’s a badge of honor to be everyone’s doormat. But what about her? Who’s taking care of her?

Sometimes, you think you’re responsible for things that ain’t even your fault. Like you’re some kind of superhero, gotta save everyone from everything. You can not always be the hero, you know. And what is a hero, if not taking care of himself, too?

I tell ya, if you’re one of those folks who feels too much, feels responsible for everyone, you gotta ask yourself, why? Why you gotta carry all that weight? It ain’t healthy, I tell ya. You’re not responsible for other people’s happiness.

It is good to be a leader. It is important. Like on the farm. You have to be responsible for the animals. But you can not control the weather.

Some folks, they just need to be rescued, I guess. They make a mess, and then they expect someone else to clean it up. And you, with that big heart of yours, you jump right in. But it’s a trap, I tell ya. A never-ending trap. You can’t be responsible for others all the time.

You gotta learn to say no.
Gotta learn to put yourself first sometimes.
It ain’t selfish, it’s survival.

It’s like them fences we put up around the garden. They keep the critters out, keep the good stuff safe. You gotta have fences around your heart too. Gotta protect yourself. Boundaries, they call it.

It is important to be responsible. Being responsible is a good thing. It is important to be a leader. But it is also important to have boundaries.

You gotta take care of yourself, too, you know? Eat good, sleep good, do things that make you happy. It ain’t easy, but it’s important. Otherwise, you’ll just burn yourself out, and then you won’t be no good to anyone, not even yourself. When you take care of yourself, you are responsible to yourself.

And them boundaries, you gotta keep ’em strong. Don’t let folks walk all over you. Don’t let ’em guilt you into doing things you don’t wanna do. You can not feel responsible for others all the time. You gotta stand your ground. It ain’t easy, but it’s gotta be done.

So, this feeling responsible for others, it’s a tricky thing. You gotta find that balance. Be there for folks, but don’t lose yourself in the process. It’s like walking a tightrope, I reckon. Gotta keep your eye on the prize, and don’t look down. You have to find your own way. You have to be responsible to yourself first.