Katelyn Smedley, M.S., LMFT

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” This is one of my
favorite quotes, by author Louisa May Alcott. It sits on the backdrop of my computer,
reminding me that through rough seas and calm waters, life is a learning process. Today
let’s learn a little about boundaries and the myth of balance.

The shift from summer’s calm into fall’s demands can feel like being swept from still waters
straight into the eye of the storm. The back-to-school hustle, new activities, and fresh
commitments can leave our plates unexpectedly full. Many of us begin chasing the mythical
white whale of “balance,” trying to perfectly portion our time, energy, and responsibilities.

But here’s the truth: life is rarely balanced. Some seasons pitch us violently from side to side
like a ship in a squall. Other times we take on too much cargo and begin to sink. This lack of
balance is not a sign of failure—it is an invitation to humility: the mother of all virtues and
the beginning of wisdom.

Humility as Our Compass

You were never meant to do it all. St. Francis reminds us: “I am what I am before God, no
more, and no less.” Humility grounds us in the truth that God created us for a specific
purpose. When we accept our limits, we can more clearly discern what is ours to carry and
what is not.

Boundaries, then, become our navigation system. They set our course toward our final
destination: heaven. We press full steam ahead with anything that draws us closer to Christ,
but we also drop anchor when something threatens to pull us off course. Sometimes this
choice is clear – if God intended me to volunteer in the church choir, He would have blessed
me with a beautiful voice and musical talent (He did not!). Sometimes the choice is more
nuanced – do I head off to daily mass this evening, or finish cooking dinner and doing
homework with my kids?

When Guilt Weighs Us Down

One of the heaviest weights we carry is not always the work itself, but the guilt we feel
when we consider saying no. Guilt whispers that refusing an opportunity to do good is
selfish. It convinces us that being a “good Catholic” means endlessly available, endlessly
serving, endlessly saying yes.

But guilt is a poor navigator. When it drives our decisions, our “yes” loses integrity. Instead
of coming from freedom and love, it comes from fear, pressure, or the need to please. Jesus

Himself shows us a different model—He healed, preached, and fed the crowds, but He also
withdrew from them to rest and pray (Luke 5:16). His “no” was just as sacred as His “yes.”

When “Good” Isn’t Always “Yours”

Not every good opportunity is your opportunity. You may be asked to volunteer, to serve, or
to step into another role—but sometimes a “no” honors God more than a “yes.” Saying no to
being the room mom may feel selfish, but it may be the very boundary that protects your
energy for prayer, family, or rest.

The Practice of Discernment

As Catholics, we have a gift: the Holy Spirit who guides us in prayer. When a new request or
responsibility arises, we can pause and ask:

• Does this keep me on course toward Christ and my vocation?
• Am I saying yes out of love and freedom—or out of guilt?
• Is this a weight I am being called to carry, or one I am being asked to set down?

Some seasons will call us to take on more; others will call us to let go. The point is not to
find perfect balance but to remain faithful to God’s direction—whether in storm or calm.

A Simple Reflection

The next time you feel guilt rising as you consider saying “no,” I invite you to pause and pray
with a deep breath:
“Lord, free my heart from fear of disappointing others. Grant me the humility to see myself as I
am, through your loving eyes. Embolden me to say yes where you call me, and no where you do
not.”

To learn more or schedule a session with Katelyn, please email katelyn.lmft@gmail.com, call or text (805) 914-8253, or visit our contact page https://catholictherapycenter.com/contact/