The Sandwich Generation Crisis: A Strategy for Boundaries With Teens, Aging Parents, and Everyone Else Who Needs You
There’s a specific kind of exhaustion that comes from being responsible for two generations at the same time.
Not just practically—emotionally.
Your teen’s moods.
Your parent’s decline.
Your partner’s stress.
Your workplace’s expectations.
And somewhere in the middle—your own needs waiting at the bottom of the list.
This is where “just say no” advice becomes almost insulting.
Because you’re not a carefree 22-year-old with no responsibilities.
You’re managing real life.
So here’s a different approach—one that actually fits the season you’re in.
Why Resolutions Don’t Work (And What To Do Instead)
Traditional resolutions are rigid.
All-or-nothing.
Pressure-based.
Failure-prone.
You miss a day, you feel like you failed.
You feel like you failed, you quit.
And when you quit, you decide you’re the problem.
But your brain doesn’t respond well to pressure—especially when you’re already stressed. Pressure pushes you back into survival mode.
So instead of resolutions, try a strategy that’s both brain-friendly and realistic:
Choose a theme word for your year.
Not a goal.
A filter.
The Strategy: A Theme Word That Shapes Your Boundaries
A theme word works because it gives you guidance without rigidity.
It becomes a simple question you can return to when life gets loud.
Examples from real life:
Ease: permission to simplify, to stop making everything hard
Courage: a compass for hard conversations and necessary change
Nourish: not just food—relationships, time, energy, environment
And for women in the sandwich generation, one theme word is often especially powerful:
Boundaries.
Because boundaries aren’t just about other people.
They’re also about:
perfectionism
overworking
negative self-talk
the reflex to say yes when your body says no
Why This Works (The Brain Science, Simply)
There’s a part of your brain called the reticular activating system (RAS).
It’s a filter. It decides what you notice.
You know that thing where you buy a new car and suddenly you see that car everywhere?
That’s your RAS.
A theme word works the same way.
When you choose your word, your brain starts spotting opportunities to live it:
moments where you can simplify
moments where you can pause
moments where you can choose yourself without drama
It becomes a practical, daily guide—not a motivational poster.
How To Choose Your Word (A Process That Actually Works)
Set aside 30 minutes. Do this in order:
Reflect on last year (no judgment).
What worked? What didn’t?Name what you’re craving.
Peace? Clarity? Ease? Strength? Freedom?Brainstorm words.
Write down anything that resonates.Test it in your body.
Say each word out loud. Notice what happens.
Your word should feel both supportive and slightly challenging—like it’s calling you forward.Make it visible.
Put it on your phone wallpaper. Your mirror. A note in your wallet.
Visibility is what keeps it alive.
How To Use Your Word Day-to-Day (So It Changes Your Life)
Once you have your word, don’t overcomplicate it. Ask:
How did I live my word today?
Where did I ignore it?
What decision this week aligns with it?
If your word is Boundaries, that might look like:
pausing before replying to a request
setting a time limit on a draining interaction
choosing “good enough” instead of perfect
not answering a work email after a certain hour
allowing your teen to feel disappointed without fixing it
That’s boundaries in real life.
Not dramatic. Not cold. Just clean.
If You’re Holding Two Generations, Start Here
If you’re in the sandwich season of life and you want one simple action step:
Choose your theme word.
Then choose one daily boundary that proves it.
Not a personality overhaul.
Not a new you.
Just one repeatable act that teaches your nervous system:
“I’m allowed to have edges.”
That’s how things change in a way that lasts past February.
If you’re ready to stop running your life from survival mode, Boundaries Unleashed is a practical, step-by-step course designed for women in this exact season.
It teaches you how to pause, reduce over-functioning, and set boundaries that protect your capacity—without abandoning the people you care about.
Learn more and join us here.
