Boundaries have become a popular topic in mental health conversations. We hear phrases like “protect your energy,” “set clear limits,” and “don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself.”

While the encouragement to set boundaries is important, it can also create a misleading expectation: that once we learn how to do it “properly,” boundaries should feel clean, confident, and guilt-free.

But the truth is: there is no such thing as a guilt-free boundary.