I’m Going to Write Bad Review for Your Book: When Your Vibrational Boundaries Get Tested

“I’m going to write a bad review for your book on Amazon,” her voice was light as she reached for her coffee. My heart dropped to my knees.

Then came the follow-up: “Just kidding!” and another laugh.

So this wasn’t someone random or a casual acquaintance – it was someone close to me, someone whose opinion I value.

And even though it was supposedly a joke, I felt that familiar energy drain – like someone had pulled the plug on my joy and watched it circle down the drain with the same fascination as watching those mesmerizing toilet whirlpools in hotel bathrooms (please tell me I’m not the only one who’s weirdly hypnotized by those? 😂).

The people closest to us have the most direct access to and influence on our energy. They can lift us higher than anyone – or leave us feeling like we’ve been energetically pickpocketed.

It’s one thing to protect your vibration from strangers or casual acquaintances, but what about when it’s someone you love? Someone whose opinion matters to you more than that first cup of coffee on a Monday morning?

Here’s what I’ve learned about maintaining your manifesting energy, even when those nearest to you (intentionally or unintentionally) test your boundaries:

First, recognize that their words are reflections of their own energy, not declarations of your worth.

That “joke” about a bad review wasn’t actually about my book – it was about her discomfort with my expansion. Like watching someone else get the promotion you secretly wanted but weren’t brave enough to pursue.

When we step into our power, it can trigger those around us who aren’t ready to expand themselves. You’re basically holding up a mirror they might not be ready to look into.

Second, pause before responding.

I used the 1 Healing Breath process (takes just a few moments and you can find out more about it in my book), to feel what was happening in my body.

The tightness in my chest. The flash of hurt. The urge to either lash out or people-please my way out of the discomfort. With the pause, I created space between the trigger and my response – a sacred moment of choice instead of reaction.

Third, remember that maintaining what I like to call “vibrational hygiene” isn’t selfish – it’s necessary.

I used to feel guilty about protecting my energy, especially with people I love. Like somehow I was being a bad friend/daughter/partner if I didn’t let their emotional weather systems rain all over my manifesting parade.

But I’ve learned that my ability to manifest and serve depends on my vibrational wellbeing. 

A key skill in manifesting anything you want is in maintaining your vibrational hygiene even in challenging relationships.

This could mean having conversations about how certain comments impact you, or sometimes simply taking a step back and leaving the conversation to protect your energy when you need to.

It’s like developing an energetic immune system that can process difficult moments without becoming depleted by them. 

You’re not avoiding the germs entirely – you’re becoming strong enough to face them without having them derail your energetic alignment.