Stay connected without abandoning yourself
Even when guilt, fear, or pushback show up
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. EST | Live on Zoom
Early Bird $67 through February 12. Regular price $97
“I’m in a new relationship and we really don’t want to mess this up. We’ve learned to slow things down, have difficult conversations as soon as they come up, and backtrack when something feels off until we get it back on track. I’m outrageously happy.” ~ Erika
You shouldn't have to disappear to stay connected
If you’ve ever noticed yourself going quiet, backing down, or softening your truth just to keep a relationship steady, you’re not alone.
Many women learn early on that love comes with conditions.
➡️ Be easy.
➡️ Don’t rock the boat.
➡️ Don’t ask for too much.
Over time, that can turn into shrinking. Not all at once, but slowly. You stay connected, but you don’t feel fully present. You’re there, but not all the way there.
This workshop is about stopping that pattern without becoming hard, guarded, or confrontational.
It’s about learning how to stay yourself in relationship.
This Workshop is For You If...
You’ll likely resonate with this work if:
• You feel responsible for other people’s feelings
• You avoid hard conversations until resentment builds
• You notice yourself minimizing your needs to keep the peace
• You’re afraid that speaking up will lead to distance or loss
• You want closeness without self abandonment
You don’t need to be in crisis.
You don’t need to be at a breaking point.
You just know that shrinking isn’t working anymore.
“My unofficial motto used to be ‘I have boundaries… until I don’t.’ Barb helped me stand up for myself without guilt and gave voice to the strong inner part of me that wanted to speak but didn’t know how. I now trust myself and my values in my relationships.” ~ Kat
What This Workshop Is Really About
Most boundary advice focuses on what to say or how to say it.
This workshop focuses on what’s happening inside you when you don’t say what’s true.
Because the real issue usually isn’t a lack of communication skills.
It’s a lack of internal safety when discomfort shows up.
When you don’t feel safe internally, it’s almost impossible to stay steady in relationship. Even the best words fall apart under pressure.
This workshop helps you understand why that happens and what actually supports change.
What You’ll Learn
In this one hour live workshop, we’ll explore:
• Why shrinking can feel safer than staying yourself
• How boundaries are meant to create internal safety
• The difference between self protection and self abandonment
• How to recognize when you’re overriding yourself in real time
• What helps you stay grounded when guilt or fear shows up
• How to stop managing other people’s reactions
This isn’t about forcing outcomes or controlling conversations.
It’s about learning how to stay with yourself when it matters most.
“By the end of the program, my life had radically shifted. I learned to live in alignment with my values and choose myself. Barb helped me see clearly and make decisions I’d been avoiding for years.” ~ Jenny
What makes this work different
This isn’t about becoming tougher or more detached.
It’s about becoming more internally anchored.
When internal safety grows, boundaries stop feeling like walls and start functioning as supports. Connection becomes more honest. Relationships become less exhausting. You no longer have to choose between being yourself and being close.
What you’ll walk away with
After the workshop, you’ll have:
• A clearer understanding of your shrinking patterns
• Language for what’s happening internally
• A new lens for noticing self abandonment early
• Relief from the belief that staying yourself will cost you love
• A grounded starting point for healthier boundaries in relationships
“I spent my life tending to others first and cutting people off when I hit a wall. Through Barb’s work, self compassion became real for me for the first time. I learned why and how to set boundaries that actually create peace instead of isolation.” ~ Jean
“I’m much clearer on what I’m willing and not willing to do. The biggest surprise was realizing that no one really noticed where I stopped over giving. Life feels lighter and brighter.” ~ Tammy
About Barb
I work with women who’ve spent years being capable, accommodating, and emotionally responsible, often at the expense of themselves.
My work isn’t about fixing others or pushing through discomfort. It’s about building internal emotional safety so you can live and relate without disappearing.
FAQ's
Is this workshop for couples or individuals?
This workshop is designed for individuals. You don’t need to attend with a partner. The focus is on your internal experience in relationships and how to stay yourself without shrinking.
Do I have to share or talk during the workshop?
No. This is a teaching focused workshop. You’re never required to share, and you’re welcome to participate quietly in whatever way feels most supportive.
What if I’m afraid setting boundaries will hurt my relationship?
That fear is very common, and it’s one of the main reasons people shrink. This workshop looks at what supports staying connected without abandoning yourself, rather than pushing or forcing change.
Is this therapy or group processing?
No. This is an educational workshop. It’s designed to help you understand patterns and build awareness, not to process personal experiences in a group setting.
What if I’ve taken your workshops before?
You’re very welcome here. This workshop builds on familiar themes and applies them specifically to romantic and intimate relationships.
Will there be a replay?
Yes. A replay will be available for a limited time for those who register.
* Workshop Details *
Boundaries for Real Love:
How to Stop Shrinking in Your Relationships
Thursday, February 26, 2026
12:30 to 1:30 pm EST
Live on Zoom
A replay will be available for a limited time for those who register.