Setting Boundaries in Relationships and Dating: Saying “No” — Be Your Own Brand of Sexy

Diane had climbed to the top of her field, but her personal life had taken a backseat to her career.

That changed the day she met Eric at a charity gala. Charming and worldly, he swept her off her feet with tales of his travels and ambitions. For the first time in years, Diane felt a spark of excitement beyond her work.

Their romance blossomed quickly, filled with passionate nights and lazy Sunday mornings. Diane found herself rearranging her schedule to accommodate impromptu dinners and weekend getaways. She relished the feeling of having someone in her life again.

But as weeks turned to months, a nagging uncertainty crept in. Eric never spoke about their future. Diane wasn’t sure where she stood, but never asked, because she was afraid to rock the boat.

“I don’t like how much you work,” Eric complained one evening. “It feels like I’m always competing with your job.”

Diane’s heart sank. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, mentally rescheduling an important meeting. “I’ll try to cut back.”

This became a pattern. Eric’s dissatisfaction surfaced regularly — with her friends, her hobbies, her habits. Each time, Diane scrambled to adjust, to please him, to keep their precious…