I’ve always been the kind of person who doesn’t think twice about helping others. If someone needed me, I was there. No hesitation. No second thoughts. Giving of myself came naturally, and in many ways, it still does. But then came that season… the one where I was quietly crumbling inside. I was struggling emotionally, physically, spiritually, carrying so much within myself that no one could see. And in the middle of that heaviness, I looked around and realised something painful: the people I had poured into so deeply weren’t pouring back into me.
That hurt. It made me feel alone, even used. But more than the sting, it woke me up. God didn’t call me to empty myself for the sake of others while neglecting my own peace. He didn’t create me to be drained, constantly giving without receiving. He calls me to love, yes, but not at the expense of abandoning myself.
The Bible says, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” (Matthew 5:37). For me, that scripture has become a reminder that God values clarity, balance, and truth. It’s not about closing my heart or becoming selfish it’s about setting boundaries so I can give from a place of fullness, not emptiness.So I started asking myself:
Why was I giving so much that I was left depleted?
Why did I feel guilty for needing space, solitude, or rest?
In 2023, I made a quiet promise to myself: protect your peace. And here in 2025, I can see how far I’ve come. I still stumble, but I’ve learned to recognise when giving has turned into over-giving. I’ve learned to say no without guilt. I’ve learned that not everyone should have unlimited access to me, no matter how freely I used to give. It hasn’t been easy. Boundaries never are. Especially when your identity has been shaped around being dependable, the one others can always call. But slowly, I’m realising: my worth is not tied to how much I pour out.
These days, I give differently. I give with intention. I give where there is mutual respect, where love flows both ways. And I protect the peace that God has given me. Because peace is priceless. And I’m finally choosing balance, not burnout.
If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt drained from giving too much know this: protecting your peace doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you whole.
💭 Are you also working on breaking free from people-pleasing?
Share your journey in the comments or share this post with someone who needs this reminder you’re not alone, and growth is possible.
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