Kind, Not Controlled

Written By Elizabeth Tubridy

You know…..it’s funny how people will call you unkind the moment you stop letting them walk all over you.

For years, I was quiet. I was scared to speak up, scared to upset anyone- especially the person who made me fee; small. I thought being “nice” meant keeping the peace, even when that peace came at the cost of my own happiness.

I spent years being controlled, manipulated, and made to believe that my feelings didn’t matter. I was labeled emotional, difficult, dramatic- all because I had needs and boundaries that didn’t fit someone else’s comfort zone.

But let me tell you something:

I am not unkind.

I am finally free.

When I found the strength to stand up for myself to set boundaries, to say “no”- that wasn’t cruelty. That was healing.

True kindness doesn’t mean letting people hurt you. True kindness starts when you love yourself enough to stop tolerating what breaks you.

So no, I’m not unkind. I’m actually kinder, softer, and more peaceful that I’ve ever been. Because now my kindness isn’t born out of fear- it’s born of freedom. And it that makes me “unkind” in someone else’s story, so be it.

At least now I’m the author of my own!!

Where in your life are you being called “unkind” simply because you are no longer shrinking, explaining, or over-giving? What boundary are you learning to honor right now?

Elizabeth Tubridy

I’m Elizabeth — a mother, creator, and woman who has learned what it means to rebuild from the ground up.

This space was born from a season of deep change. After walking away from a life that no longer felt safe, aligned, or true, I began the quiet work of healing — not perfectly, not quickly, but honestly. What started as survival slowly became self-discovery, and then something more: a return to myself.

Through writing, reflection, and creativity, I share the truths I once silenced. Stories about emotional healing, motherhood, boundaries, resilience, and learning to choose yourself after years of putting everyone else first. This blog isn’t about bitterness or blame — it’s about clarity, growth, and reclaiming your voice.

Alongside my writing, I create under Earthly Enchantments — nature-inspired pieces rooted in calm, intention, and magic found in small moments. Creativity has always been my anchor, a way to process, express, and reconnect with joy.

If you’re here, maybe you’re navigating your own season of becoming. Maybe you’re learning to trust yourself again, or simply looking for proof that it’s possible to start over — gently, bravely, and on your own terms.

You’re welcome here.

https://www.earthlyenchantmentsnh.com
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