My quirky guide to healthier relationships and boundaries.

Write your guide to setting healthy boundaries in relationships.

DO

Remind yourself that when someone bullies you, it’s because they feel weak.

Lower expectations from unreliable friends and family. Enjoy the good things and just accept them as they are. Griping won’t change anything.

Bear in mind you don’t have to comply with manipulation.

Listen with your heart and empathize without taking on others’ issues.

Love yourself, warts and all.

See the good in everyone but don’t make excuses for them.

Forgive those who hurt you, even if you must stay away for your safety.

Prioritize your needs; you’re as important as anyone else, so don’t always put others first.

Find the humor in situations.

Make room for silence. Meditate, pray, walk in nature. It improves your ability to bring your best self to relationships.

DON’T

Beg anyone to love you. It never works. That only took me 50 years to figure out.

Walk on eggshells to keep the peace/save a relationship/pacify a narcissist.

Believe the put-downs, insults, passive aggressive jabs, and guilt trips of wounded souls trying to make themselves feel better by belittling you.

Try to fix anyone. That’s their job.

Bear a grudge. It hurts you more than the other person.

Make negative assumptions based on appearance — talk to people.

Tease unkindly, pick on, or gossip about people who are vulnerable.

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It felt good to blurt that all out. I’m sure you have your own ideas! Me throwing out unsolicited advice may well be unnecessary. Thanks for playing along.

More book reporting for tomorrow. Hopefully less flooding, as there was another four inches overnight.