Real Talk: You Have More Power Than You Think

We talk a lot about intention setting — and I believe in it. Deeply.

Intentions matter. They give direction. They help us move with purpose instead of reaction.

But here’s the part we don’t always sit with long enough.

Sometimes intention isn’t about adding something new.

Sometimes it’s about getting quiet enough to see what’s already draining us.

When we slow down — really slow down — we start noticing things we used to overlook:

Who affects our mood without permission Who we keep over-explaining ourselves to Who we give emotional access to just because we always have

We love to say “pour into others from your overflow.”

And that’s beautiful. That’s generosity.

But here’s the Real Talk part:

Who we allow to drain us is up to us.

Not easy.

Not instant.

But still… a choice.

There’s a difference between compassion and self-abandonment.

Between being supportive and being depleted.

Between listening and absorbing everything someone hands you.

Lately, I’ve been reminded of this in the quiet moments — riding home, sitting with my thoughts, listening to one of my favorite monks talk about discipline and inner peace.

One line stuck with me:

“Don’t think too much about anyone.”

Not in a cold way.

Not in a careless way.

But in a self-respecting way.

When we overthink other people — their moods, their expectations, their reactions — we hand over power we never meant to give. Power that costs us peace, energy, and clarity.

Inner discipline is learning how to bring that power back home.

Back to your breath.

Back to your values.

Back to yourself.

You don’t need to control people to feel steady.

You need boundaries.

You need awareness.

You need permission to protect your energy.

Real Talk:

You have more power over your life than you were ever taught to believe.

And the moment you stop letting others control your emotional thermostat…everything begins to change.