The Journal

Reflections on boundaries, burnout, midlife, relationships, and what it takes to stop performing and start living.

Overfunctioning

For the woman who has become the fixer, the planner, the peacekeeper, and the one everyone depends on. Posts in this category explore the patterns of doing too much, carrying too much, and confusing being needed with being seen.

The Unspoken Agreement That is Running Your Life

By Lois Spence, MS, LMHC You did not wake up one day and decide to disappear. It happened slowly. In the small moments nobody sees. In the space between what you actually needed and what you gave instead. You said “it’s fine, I’ll handle it” when it wasn’t fine and you didn’t want to handle it. You told yourself it wasn’t worth making a big deal over. You read the room before you even put your bag down. You managed the mood, absorbed the tension, kept the peace. You did it so

Lois Spence

1 day ago3 min read