Setting Boundaries Without Feeling Guilty
In a world that often praises selflessness and constant availability, the idea of setting boundaries may seem inappropriate to some people. It can come across as cold, impolite, or even selfish. However, establishing boundaries is not selfish; it is necessary. By setting boundaries, people protect their time, energy, and mental well-being. It is a valuable life skill to know how to establish boundaries without feeling guilty. This article is for those who have ever said “yes” when they meant “no” or felt drained from taking on tasks they didn’t want to do. Understand What Boundaries Are Boundaries are not walls; they are guidelines that help others understand what is acceptable and what is not when interacting with you. They define how you want to be treated in relationships, at work, with family, or even with acquaintances. Think of them as personal rules that ensure your emotional safety. It’s Normal to Feel Guilty Feeling guilty is a sign of personal growth. It is normal to feel discomfort as you move away from people-pleasing behaviors. Many people have been taught to prioritize others over themselves. Therefore, feeling “wrong” when setting boundaries is a sign of progress. Start Small and Be Clear When setting boundaries, start with small but firm boundaries. For example, you can say, “I’m not available to talk right now, can we catch up later,” or “I can’t take on any new tasks this week.” You don’t owe people lengthy explanations; a simple, respectful statement is enough. Use “I” Statements Using “I” statements when setting boundaries helps you focus on your needs rather than what others are doing wrong. For example, say, “I need quiet time in the evenings to recharge,” or “I would appreciate a heads-up because last-minute changes overwhelm me.” This approach reduces defensiveness and encourages respect for your needs. Expect Resistance and Stand Firm Not everyone will like your boundaries. Some may object, especially if they have benefited from your lack of boundaries in the past. That’s okay. Stay firm, even if others are uncomfortable. Standing your ground strengthens your self-respect. Remember: You’re Not Responsible for Others’ Emotions You are responsible for your decisions and actions, not how others feel about them. If someone is unhappy with your boundaries, that is their emotion to manage, not yours. Practice Self-Compassion Be kind to yourself as you learn to set boundaries. It’s normal to make mistakes, give in, or over-explain. Keep taking care of yourself and remind yourself that it’s okay to do so. Read More On HelpGuide.Org Read Next On: National Tragedy: Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of Ministers, and other Officials LATEST POSTS
National Tragedy: Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of Ministers, and other Officials
A devastating helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region has plunged the nation into profound grief. On the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z9 military helicopter crashed en route from Accra to Obuasi, killing all people aboard. The helicopter took off around 9:00 a.m. from Kotoka International Airport in Accra en route to an anti-illegal mining event dubbed “the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP)” in Obuasi. Shortly after the helicopter took off, radar contact was lost, and later the wreckage was discovered in a forested area of Adansi in the Ashanti Region. Reports indicate that the crash resulted in severe post-impact fire, leaving no survivors. Among the victims were some of Ghana’s most respected public servants: Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chair of the National Democratic Congress and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, and Samuel Aboagye, an ex-parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East. Three members of the helicopter’s crew: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah also had their lives perished in the crash. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, addressing the nation on Wednesday, called the incident a “national tragedy” and confirmed that all eight lives were lost. President John Dramani Mahama immediately suspended all public engagements and declared a three-day period of national mourning, during which flags will fly at half-mast. An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. At this early stage, no definitive cause such as mechanical failure or weather conditions has been confirmed. Read Next On: Domangburi Lights Up with Solar Energy LASTEST POSTS:
The Brouhaha of Ghana SIM card registration
By March 31, 2022, every Ghanaian above age 18 and bearing a SIM card is required to register their SIM to avoid the termination of their mobile user number, and this has compelled many Ghanaians from every side; from cities across the hinterlands to undergo this exercise. The registration purported to curb cybercrime be it mobile money fraud, impersonation, scam, and other related fraudulent activity wrought by unscrupulous persons in society. In as much, one may argue this registration exercise is a scheme brought about by the government to formally tax citizens as well as increase the tax base to cover the informal sector is also highlighted. Regardless of what it may be on the side of the government or the telecom companies, Ghanaians are meted with the fate, uncompromisingly, to get their SIM registered in the span of six months, averaging 182 days. 182 days to register every SIM card bearing national and foreigners in the country? To what end? One may ask- to the benefit of the Consumers, the telecoms, or the government? One thing is somewhat certain, the stress it puts many Ghanaians through, the ordeal to be at registration centers very early in the day to get their SIM registered- the continuous health hazard we put ourselves through in this endemic period of our time. I recount an ordeal one nobleman had to go through at the registration center at the time of registration. The man, as required by the traditional House of chiefs was given a paramount name after he was installed as a chief years ago in his council but I guess technology has no regard for things of tradition, I’m afraid, the man exclaimed as he was directed to go for a gazette changing his name from the paramount given name to reflect the name on the Ghana Card. Thus, a name given at birth to proceed with the registration. Who made such decisions that have no room for the traditional council? He asked angrily! I’m sure many Ghanaians will ask the same- why this burden? But it is a hurdle we all must bear with all willingness to formally help for the cause of our country, and for now, we all live to see! In all this, I urge you all to register your SIM card today! By Mac-King T. Thompson READ NEXT ON: Dear Freshmen by Akorfa Ama Akoto
A nation polarized by religion and superstition
This is an introspection, as I sit back in my track and reflect on the recent happenings in the country, precisely the incident involving the alleged murder of an elderly woman accused of witchcraft in Nalerigu in the Northern region attributed to superstition. The deceased, identified as Mma Rukaya, moved to the area from Janga, in the same region because of similar accusations. A society that would hide behind everything including religion and superstition to do whatever it takes even to take the life of another. Not forgetting the sad story of Madam Akua Denteh and the subsequent mob injustice metered by another as a result of alleged ‘witchcraft’ at ‘Gonja’ in the Northern part of the country still rings a bell. This may strike you like an uncomfortable quest but the question still lingers in my mind; why would a well-behaved human take away the life of another because of beliefs? A said superstitious belief that’s beyond logic and reason. What controls our society and the nation today? Politics or Religion; perhaps, I am more prone and conversant with the latter because that has been the bane and the fabric of our society. As a child and growing up, like a bait; one cannot skip this necessary initiation if it can be called such but religion runs through all our institutions and beyond. And this makes one ponder; what’s the practical reason for this gross misplaced mental servitude that has wrecked lives, homes, and nations? Indeed, you may not possess all the answers but have you asked yourself why you engage in a dire religious practice? Look at [some] nations around and it may strike you harder, wars, injustice, and corruption which can be pointed to religious conflict and others. It is sad to note people are been executed because of religious falter. Who has the moral right to judge others? Last two semesters back in my studies at the university, I met an exchange student from a European country and in a conversation, pointed out how at the turn of every corner in the capital, you are faced with a religious ‘bunker’ with a shout more than the pitch of decibels emanating from such places! I dared not ask why. It seems we are in the crusading years of England, imagine! And that was many years ago! We are behind the age of enlightenment, he said. A bit harsh as it may sound but I couldn’t agree less. A nation of highly religious people but with questionable gestures and attitudes towards nation-building; talk about politics, the least said the better. We have leaders who hide behind religion, sworn in, albeit in the name of such but leave the nation bereft if that can be said about many of them. I look forward to that day when the exchange student will come again but to a different narrative; one devoid of the noise and brouhaha of god sent a compliance that favors those who wield power and leave the ordinary back at the pecking order because their voices cannot be heard by a said divine, be it traditional, the Orthodoxor otherwise. And so, we must rise, and get rid of a certain childhood initiation that does not march our current realities and our modern societal dispensation. Culture calls for change! The norms must be changed and we must write a narrative that favors common sense, justice, and the dignity of all human lives. Let’s pull down superstitions that trample on human rights! By Mac̶ King T. Thompson READ NEXT ON: Tourism; the Other Ghanaian Pandemic another piece by Mac̶ King T. Thompson
Tourism; the Other Ghanaian Pandemic
The pandemic is not getting any better, I must confess. Whew!It was Wednesday, an early mid-morning adventure to one of Ghana’s tourist sites, the Boti Falls. The twin waterfall is located in Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. A place that once was referred to as the most attractive venue in that area by the former president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah upon his first visit. And so, we were in good company, to thread this same path and discover a bit of Ghana that is often talked about as an envious destination for tourists in all respects. This visit includes students, artistic activists, and creators from different backgrounds, much to the sound of excitement and delight of all traveling members onboard. But of course, the journey did not come without hurdles, bundled in a bit of fear with a bumpy, skimpy road faced with a piece of big vehicular machinery digging trenches, clearing of trees in what appears to be a construction of a new tar road for the municipality, thus the road leading to the waterfall. One asked, ‘Didn’t Dr. Kwame Nkrumah use this same route to the waterfall?’ It is Ghana, remember! The other retorted. How come we allow such an important road to degrade into this deplorable state! We often take things for granted, even roads leading to one of our foremost tourist sites. I wondered; what might go through the minds of foreigners who ply this road for the sake of visitation. Our invitation to the site draws near, about an hour’s journey from Adukrom, in the Eastern Region. Here, the Fall looks in sight and we were ready to embark on this adventure, we must go back with a new experience albeit. At the request of the tour guide, men, women, and students took the stairs descending to the waterfall- one step at a time and treading behind each other to this beautiful scape. You cannot escape this glorious view! However, things did not look as expected, it is a twin waterfall, remember? It appeared only one side of the waterfall had water streaming down from it. The other side is dry with no water! What has happened? I dared ask the tour guide. He fumbled, with a look on his face worrying, as one lost of words. It’s somewhat disturbing, he answers; ‘about 40% of the forest reserve has been tempered!’ He continues, ‘the groves that cover the river through the jungle have been destroyed by human activities such as illegal felling of trees, annual bush burning by ‘bushmeat’ hunters and local [farmers] folks. Ghana’s problem It is no different, this country has had a lot of issues at hand even before this pandemic. With the ill culture of maintenance, disregard for other social issues, and at the height of global climate change and threats facing the world, many seem unperturbed. Our plans and efforts to shape talks on climate issues still remain minimal. ‘Illegal hunting, bush burning in this age and stage?!’ what has law regulators got to do? Well, you ask – This is my bit, as I write and highlight the issues that threaten the waterfall and the ecosystem altogether. It is important to bring to the attention; the pandemic of unconcern Ghanaians, the pandemic of poor maintenance culture, disregard for rules and regulations, and the pandemic of ‘it is not my property’ pronounced by common folks. This is to be curtailed and make civilians abide by the law and maintain social sanity and civility in the conduct of every Ghanaian to minimize this menace. What is the Ghanaian made of…? I would like to end here without failing to say the trip was fun and educative albeit, and we carried with us a more concerted approach to this twin waterfall tourist site in the future. Hopefully, we get to return again but to a promised change of scenery- thus both streams flow happily because that’s what twins do; they move together. And importantly, to see the female side of the fall flow again traditionally because that’s all we want to witness, sigh. Let’s get rid of Tourism Pandemic today! Written by: Mac-King T. Thompson READ NEXT ON: A nation polarized by religion and superstition
