This morning, I experienced a bit of culture shock when I realized that I can no longer pop into Asda or Tesco for anything I need.

Food? Supermarket.

Dust pan? Blokker.

Socks or slippers? A third place.

Phone or tablet? Some other place.

Cup of coffee? Not a Costa in sight.

Etc.

But this afternoon, feeling very tired hence cranky, I stood up to someone after which we peacefully cooperated to replace some gas tubing. I can put an old-fashioned kettle on now. Yes!

If I had done that in Portsmouth, the entire town would be up in arms and it certainly wouldn’t have been followed by peaceful cooperation. I’m relearning how to protect my boundaries. Was impossible to do in Portsmouth, protecting my boundaries.

Respect other people’s boundaries. Don’t walk all over them.