My colleague keeps interrupting me — how do I set a boundary today without making a scene?
Being interrupted looks small from the outside and often weighs heavily on the inside. That's exactly why you need a clear sentence before the resentment grows over months.
For the next few minutes
When you're constantly interrupted, you're often collecting not just the interruptions themselves, but also the feeling of having less space. That makes later reactions come out harder than intended.
What helps more is an early, short statement right in the moment. Not renegotiating everything in your head afterward, but reclaiming the space for your words while it's happening.
You don't need to become more dominant for that. Just clear enough that the boundary can be heard.
Step by step
1. Name the situation clearly
What exactly is being asked of you right now, or what is being expected?
2. One boundary in one sentence
Clear, brief, with no soft escape hatch.
3. Don't over-explain afterward
Less justification often makes the boundary stronger, not weaker.
Common questions
Do I need a lengthy explanation?
No. A brief explanation can help. Too much quickly sounds like justifying yourself, which makes your boundary softer rather than clearer.
What if the other person pushes back?
Often the same statement once more works best — calm, not sharp, not re-explained. Clarity grows through repetition rather than through more words.