The NFL’s Spring League Meeting is in Orlando this May, and if you think that’s just a scheduling footnote — it’s not. Those meetings exist specifically so that league executives, owners, and team reps can negotiate the terms of how things will work going forward. What’s allowed. What’s not. What the rules are.
In other words: the entire NFL shows up in May specifically to talk about boundaries.
And yet somehow, when women try to do the same thing in their personal and professional lives, we apologize for it.
Here’s the thing about boundaries that the culture doesn’t tell you: they don’t work if they live only in your head. A boundary you haven’t communicated isn’t a boundary. It’s a resentment waiting to happen. It’s a slow burn you’ve been feeding for months, wondering why the other person doesn’t “just get it.”
They don’t get it because you haven’t said it. So let’s fix that.
Some scripts you can actually use, starting today:
When someone asks for more than you have: “I want to support you and I also need to be honest about my capacity right now. I can do X, but not Y.”
When a work request keeps creeping past hours: “I’m going to step away for the evening — I’ll pick this up in the morning when I’m at full capacity for it.”
When a relationship dynamic isn’t working: “This isn’t something I can keep showing up to in the same way. Here’s what I need it to look like instead.”
When you need to protect your energy from a chronic drainer: “I care about you, and I also need some space to recharge. I’ll reach out when I’m in a better place to connect.”
Notice none of those start with “I’m sorry but” or end with “I hope that’s okay.” That’s not accidental.
You are allowed to take up space in your own life. You are allowed to set the terms.
The league does it every spring. You can do it on a Tuesday.
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