For most of my life, I was the one who held the emotional glue in every group I belonged to. Friends. Work circles. Teams. If there was tension, I smoothed it. If someone spiraled, I steadied them. If there was silence, I filled it. And at first, it felt like strength, kind like being the “reliable one” was some accomplishment. But eventually, you realize it’s just a quiet way of carrying everyone else’s emotional weight while pretending it doesn’t cost you anything. Here’s what clicked for me: Other adults are fully capable of managing their own reactions.They just don’t have to if you keep doing it for them. This month, I put that down. Not dramatically. Not with an announcement. Just with a clean, quiet boundary. Being the emotional referee might keep the peace, but it will absolutely drain you dry. You’re allowed to stop holding everything together for people who never notice 🫶