I pulled out my mini white board and asked, “So what are your limitations?” Her eyebrows raised, “You mean like physical?” 

 

We’d been working with one another for months, so I’m sure she suspected a challenge was around the corner. 

 

“Sure,” I said,  “Physical, mental, emotional, relational…When do you know you’ve reached your limit?”  In each session she had shared experiences of saying “yes” when she wanted to say “no,” showing up for others through exhaustion and doing extra tasks at work knowing no additional pay would come with it. 

 

“I…I don’t think I have any limitations,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I just always find a way.” 

 

I momentarily stopped writing on the board to look up at her.  It was not lost on me that this was the same client who couldn’t stick to her gym routine, didn’t prioritize her hobbies and denied herself rest. 

 

“You are human you know,” I started. “We all have limitations, but seems like you sacrifice your humanity for the sake of others.”