Listening In: Boundaries as an Act of Self-Trust

Boundaries are often talked about in the context of our relationships - how we interact with others and where we draw the line between what’s ours and what’s not. But lately, I’ve been thinking about boundaries in another way: the ones we set with ourselves.

There’s so much noise in today’s wellness culture. Apps, watches, and rings tell us how well we’ve slept, how many steps we’ve taken, when to eat, when to rest. They can be helpful tools, offering data that guides us, but sometimes they can also drown out the quieter voice of our own intuition.

I see this often in clinic. Patients come in doing all the right things - taking the supplements, following the routines, tracking every number - and yet still feel disconnected from their bodies. It’s not from lack of effort; it’s from over-effort. We’ve been taught to look outside of ourselves for validation that we’re doing “well.”

But true wellness begins when we turn inward - when we start listening again.

Sometimes boundaries look like pausing the tracking, putting the app down, or choosing not to count our macros. Other times, boundaries look like saying no to the comparison, the noise, or the pressure to do everything perfectly.

This is especially true on the fertility journey, where guidance can be both a gift and a burden. There are so many “must-do’s,” so many paths that promise results - and while many are backed by time and science, none of them are one-size-fits-all. The most important data point is how you feel.

Boundaries, in this way, are an act of self-trust. They help us stay in relationship with our own bodies, even when the world tells us to outsource that wisdom. They remind us that intuition isn’t a vague concept, it’s a physiological language we can relearn to speak.

In acupuncture, we work with that same idea: reconnecting the mind and body, allowing energy and awareness to flow more clearly, so we can hear what our system has been trying to tell us all along.

A Shared Practice
This month, I’ve been practicing checking in before checking out - meaning, before I reach for data or advice, or simply say “yes” before considering myself, I pause and ask my body first.

You might try this, too:
Before opening a tracking app, take a quiet breath and ask, “What do I already know about what I need right now?”

It could be rest, movement, stillness, connection -  whatever arises, trust it enough to listen. The information will still be in the app. Now you simply have additional information, right from the source. 

Sometimes what our body needs is as simple as a slow Fall evening walk, true restorative rest (hello acu-nap), or an un-burdened evening laughing with our friends. Just being. Just allowing. 

Our bodies aren’t a job or a problem to be fixed. They are a friend we travel with that needs acknowledgement and love as much as vitamins and minerals. Shifting our mindset each day to allow more room for this will make a lasting impact on our physical and mental health in the long-run. 

I invite you to explore:
-Saying no as a form of self-care.
-Creating rituals (even simple ones like journaling, tea, or a quiet walk) to help you tune in.
-Letting your body lead the conversation, instead of your apps or to-do list.

Over time, these small moments of listening become the foundation for stronger boundaries - and deeper trust in yourself.

Thanks for always learning with me!