Just because you're not running to work, school, or the office, doesn't mean you have all the time in the world to talk. "There's . . . an unstated expectation on many peoples' parts that everyone is home now and has nothing else to do, which isn't the case for many of us," Williams noted.
That means you don't need to feel guilty or ashamed of setting boundaries on your time, especially when it comes to video calls. "The biggest misconception around boundaries is that in setting them, you might be hurting the other person," said Silvia M. Dutchevici, MA, LCSW, president and founder of the Critical Therapy Centre in New York. "In truth, setting boundaries signals a healthy dynamic between you and another, a healthy relationship where you are taking care of your own needs and trust that the other person is doing the same. In order to set boundaries, one has to assess what is important to them, what are their needs, while trusting that loved ones will understand."
Remember: "You are worthy of saying no or yes on your terms and having your needs met," said Dash-Dougherty.