Jodi Sta. Maria opens up on struggles saying ‘no’ to family, workplace

Jodi Sta. Maria | Image: Instagram/@jodistamaria

Actress Jodi Sta. Maria got candid about her struggles with saying “no” to family and workplace as she sheds light on the importance of setting boundaries for personal well-being.

Sta. Maria explained that “feeling guilty” is the reason she’s having a difficult time saying “no.” A response after an online poll she conducted on Instagram revealed that many of her followers found it hardest to establish boundaries “saying no to their family.”

“Thank you for your replies. Totoo noh? (It’s true, isn’t it?) I struggled with that too, and sometimes until now, yung saying NO not only sa family ko but even sa workplace. Kasi I felt guilty feeling ko I am letting people down. But boundary-setting is a skill. Makakasanayan din in time (We’ll get used to it),” she wrote.

In a separate post, the “Broken Marriage Vow” star emphasized that setting boundaries is an act of “self-love.”

I just want to say na valid ang lahat mga feelings ninyo. Setting boundaries is an act of self-care and self-love. It is also sending a message of how you want to be treated by those around you; it is necessary for your well-being, and this is all grounded in mutual respect,” she stated.

Sta. Maria, who is set to wrap her revenge series “Lavender Fields,” recently announced her plans to take a break from acting to pursue higher education. 

The actress revealed during a recent media conference that she is enrolling in a master’s program in clinical psychology this year,with focus on family and marriage therapy, stressing the importance of building a life “outside of showbizness.”