🟩 Cube-ical.
When I stopped absorbing EVERYTHING, people started solving their OWN problems...
🟩 They said I absorbed EVERYTHING. Then I learned to say “that’s not mine to carry.” My life transformed.
I’m a gelatinous cube.
I literally absorb everything I touch. Debris? Absorbed. Treasure? Absorbed. Adventurers who don’t watch where they’re walking? Absorbed. Other people’s problems? ALSO ABSORBED.
For 89 years, that was my IDENTITY.
“The thing that takes everything in.” “The cleanup crew.” “The dungeon’s garbage disposal.”
And I was EXHAUSTED.
See, being an absorber isn’t just physical. It’s EMOTIONAL.
Every party member’s stress? I absorbed it. Every team conflict? I tried to dissolve it. Every organizational dysfunction? I somehow made it MY problem.
My therapist (yes, gelatinous cubes have therapists) asked me a question I’ll never forget:
“Just because you CAN absorb it, does that mean you SHOULD?”
I’d never considered that before.
Working with Nick at d20.coach changed EVERYTHING.
His framework “Selective Absorption™” taught me:
Not everything that touches you needs to BECOME you.
Here’s what I learned to filter:
❌ Other people’s urgency ≠ My emergency
❌ Someone else’s poor planning ≠ My responsibility
❌ Team dysfunction ≠ My job to fix alone
❌ Every emotional dump ≠ Mine to process
✅ I can witness without absorbing ✅ I can care without carrying ✅ I can help without owning ✅ I can be present without being responsible
The transformation was BRUTAL at first.
Team: “Can you just take care of this?” Me: “That’s not mine to carry.” Team: “You’ve CHANGED.” Me: “You’re right. I have BOUNDARIES now.”
6 months later:
✅ Stopped being team emotional dumpster ✅ Started delegating problems to proper owners ✅ Energy levels DOUBLED (less absorption = less exhaustion) ✅ Relationships IMPROVED (resentment decreased) ✅ Promoted to team lead (turns out boundaries = leadership)
The biggest shock?
When I stopped absorbing EVERYTHING, people started solving their OWN problems.
Novel concept, I know.
#Boundaries #EmotionalLabor #SelectiveAbsorption #CubeWisdom #d20coach #YouDontHaveToCarryEverything #BoundariesAreHealthy
Glorp Clearwater Team Lead | Selective Absorption Specialist “I still absorb. I just choose what.” d20Coach Graduate | Boundary Expert | Gelatinous Cube
The world needs absorbers. We’re empathetic, helpful, always there.
But if you’re absorbing so much that you’re losing your SHAPE?
That’s not service. That’s self-destruction.
You can be helpful without being a human (or cube-shaped) trash compactor.
What are YOU absorbing that isn’t yours to carry? 👇
