Being an empath is a gift, but sometimes being too polite can make it genuinely harder to set the boundaries we need. This journal entry explores why empaths, like INFPs and INFJs, may find it challenging to set boundaries.

Dear soul, do you struggle with feeling deeply sensitive, seeing every perspective, and giving everyone an "out" before protecting yourself?

I share a recent situation with noise disrupting our living, working, and sleeping. It’s challenging my British INFJ husband and I to figure out how to set up boundaries with our landlord.

I explore the cultural differences in politeness and directness, and discuss how being "too polite" can sometimes lead to overextending ourselves or being taken advantage of.

Discover the gentle yet powerful first step to setting an effective boundary. If you’re also navigating setting up boundaries, I hope this journal entry helps you to feel not so alone!

✨ I would love to hear from you! Have you ever felt that being polite or empathetic made it harder to set a boundary? Share your thoughts below!

Next ▶️
The stress of dealing with boundary issues can be exhausting. This episode will help you silence the negative voices and find inner calm with a powerful guided practice: "Find inner calm with this self-love practice" (https://youtu.be/X4J9L3HhQmY)

XOXO,
Kate Harmony

📖 Journal Notes
0:00 The INFP/INFJ struggle with setting boundaries
0:53 Why empaths and highly sensitive people give everyone an "out"
1:31 Our landlord and house-selling noise issue
3:45 Introverts and the feeling of sacred space being violated
5:30 My husband's British politeness versus Canadian frankness
7:17 When people take advantage and walk all over your boundaries
8:05 How to become more firm without hardening your heart
8:57 The first step to setting a boundary: Acknowledge "I'm not okay"
10:29 Journaling to process anger and clarify the situation
11:21 Write a polite and firm boundary email
12:55 I hope this entertained you :)

#boundaries #empath #politeness #infp #infj #hsp #peoplepleaser #introvert #introvertdiaries #journaling #selfcare #communication #culturaldifferences #mentalhealth #lightbearerslibrary 

🌿 About Kate Harmony 🌿

My main channel (Hack Music Theory) has over 250K subscribers and 10 million views. I've been a full-time YouTuber since 2017 and launched this personal channel (Lightbearer's Library) in 2025, where I'm making video versions of my journal entries.

Some of my favourite topics to talk about are practical philosophy, positive psychology, and personality type (I'm an INFP). But honestly, my journals contain counter-cultural thoughts about everything, so expect the unexpected! I also share practical ways I'm improving my mental health, with the hope that you might find them useful too.

I deleted all my social media accounts over 10 years ago, so I offer a loving perspective that's free from the divisive language commonly found in feeds nowadays.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then I warmly welcome you into the Lightbearer's Library. Stay for a while, and please remember to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV2wps4NID9rrO08OuwZ5Lg?sub_confirmation=1