Last week I stopped apologizing for taking up space in my own kitchen

My sister came over Tuesday and watched me cook dinner. I kept ducking out of her way, moving my cutting board to the counter edge, shrinking myself so she could lean against the island. Midway through chopping onions she said 'why do you keep doing that?' and I realized I had no answer except habit. So I put the board back on the center, stood where I needed to stand, and told her 'this is my kitchen, you move around me.' She laughed, but she actually did move. It felt weird and heavy, like I was breaking a rule I didn't even know was written down. Has anyone else had that moment where you just... stop apologizing for existing in your own space? How long until it feels normal?

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tarar2717d agoTop Commenter

Ask yourself this: when did you start believing your needs mattered less than her comfort? I got the same wake-up call at my own dining table last month, realized I was arranging chairs so everyone else could sprawl while I perched on the edge. The real question is, what are you so scared she'll think if you just take up your full space? Because that fear doesn't go away overnight, it just gets quieter each time you don't give in to it.