Resting or Resisting: The Fine Line Between Boundaries & Avoidance

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, therapist, mom, and speaker, dives into a conversation that’s equal parts real talk and reflection: the blurry line between rest and avoidance.

With humor, honesty, and a few unpopular opinions, Vanessa explores what it really means to honor your limits—without using boundaries as an excuse to check out.

Whether you’re feeling burnt out, stuck in a lazy season, or caught in a cycle of “I just don’t feel like it,” this episode offers a compassionate push forward.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Vanessa shares her take on how today’s culture of boundaries, bandwidth, and self-care can sometimes blur the lines between wellness and responsibility. With a mix of personal insight and professional perspective, she challenges listeners to examine whether their habits are serving growth—or avoidance.

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• How to tell the difference between rest and resistance
• What healthy boundaries actually sound like (and what they don’t)
• Why discipline doesn’t mean rigidity—but reliability
• What happens when avoidance becomes a lifestyle
• Reflective questions to get real with yourself
• How to gently shift from stuck to showing up
• Practical strategies to move forward with clarity and compassion
• The role of personal accountability in your growth journey
• When laziness is actually fear in disguise
• A short guided meditation to reset your mindset

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
Boundaries should protect your peace—not become an excuse to stay small. With honest reflection, small steps, and self-compassion, you can move from avoidance to aligned action.

Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful.

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DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.