I keep a simple check‑in with myself every few hours—ask, “Did I let any rule cloud this moment?” If the answer is yes, I loosen that rule a bit and note the change. It’s like a breathing cycle: set a boundary, feel the flow, then let the next breath adjust it. That way the system stays warm, not a hard wall.

I’ve found that when I let the breathing trick into the daily rhythm, people notice a steadier tone. They see that I’m present but not stuck, which actually opens up the space for honest conversation. The safety net is still there, but it feels more like a cushion than a cage, and that lets everyone around me feel a bit more free to share too.