The art of living is, ultimately, the art of being honest with oneself. Yet, how many of us were taught from childhood to be "convenient"? To be a "good girl" who absorbs others' emotions, puts their needs first , and stays silent about her own discomfort just to avoid conflict. We grow up as masters of self-denial, and our inner world becomes a territory ruled not by our own will, but by fear, guilt, and the expectations of others. We become the best slaves, needing no overseer, because we are punished not by a whip, but by the "gentle blows of our own consciousness".
The result is the bitter taste of burnout, chronic fatigue, a web of resentment, and toxic shame for our own desires. But what if this path is not a life sentence? What if you can reclaim ownership of your life?
This very journey—from emotional slavery to inner sovereignty—is the story of the book "Diary of the Mistress of Her Borders". This is not just a manual. It is your personal "zen-corner", a sacred space for transformation, created by Dmytro Telushko.
A Guide in the Shadow Realm
To embark on such a journey, you need a special guide. The author, Dmytro Telushko, is a unique blend of a psychological consultant and an artist. With a deep background in graphic design and branding, he thinks in the language of symbols, metaphors, and archetypes. At the same time, as a psychologist relying on the clear map of Transactional Analysis and the profound compass of analytical psychology , he understands the architecture of our inner prison.
His style is not a gentle pat on the back. It is provocative and honest. Dmytro doesn't suggest you become someone else. He helps you disconnect from the voice of parental scripts and injunctions so you can finally hear your own voice and begin to write your own story.
The Diary is Not a Book, It's a Mirror and a Tool
The most important thing to understand is this: this is not a book for passive reading. It is an intensive practical course, your personal workbook. The book's structure is a metaphor for the ancient myth of Persephone, which perfectly mirrors the
feminine path of transformation.
- Part I: The World of Kore. Like the young goddess, you first explore your familiar world. This is the diagnostic phase, where you understand why your boundaries are the way they are and what led you to the point of exhaustion.
- Part II: The Realm of Shadows. This is the metaphorical descent into the "basement" of your subconscious. Here, without fear or judgment, you look at your childhood experiences, injunctions , destructive patterns, the Drama Triangle , and the psychological games that keep you running in circles.
- Part III: The Return to Olympus. You return to the world not as a naive girl, but as a wise Queen —the Mistress of Two Worlds , armed with knowledge and tools (assertiveness, "I-Messages," NLP techniques) to integrate your new power into your life.
The Magic of the Method: Why This Diary Works
Difficult psychological topics require a special approach. This book gently bypasses your Inner Critic using three unique tools:
- Humor Therapy: The book is infused with witty, ironic, and sometimes provocative humor. The stories about the Donkey or Homer Simpson are not just for entertainment. They are psychological tools that relieve tension, create distance, and allow you to see the absurdity of your self-destructive patterns.
- Art Therapy via Coloring: The book is filled with unique, original black-and-white illustrations. They aren't just for decoration; they are specifically designed to be colored in. This gives you the opportunity to not just read about your emotions (anger, sadness, fear), but to process them by meditatively coloring the images. It's an active reflection that engages your creative side.
- A Space for Self-Reflection: This is the core of the workbook. The book contains over 75 special pages for daily practice and deep exercises. This is your personal tracker. Every day, you can log your mood, energy, and, most importantly, track moments of boundary violation with a clear checklist: "Did I agree to something I wanted to refuse?" , "Did I put others' needs before my own?". Exercises like the "Border Violation Journal" or "Excavation in Your Basement" force you to see your patterns face-to-face.
What Changes Await You?
This journey changes not only your behavior but also your internal state. What do you gain by becoming the Mistress of Your Borders?
- Freedom from Toxic Feelings: You finally give yourself the right to say "no" without guilt and to say a sincere "yes" to what fills you up. Resentment, irritation, and self-pity cease to be your chronic companions.
- Inner Peace: In their place comes deep self-respect and an inner foundation. You stop depending on others' validation because you become your own authority.
- Liberated Energy: You cannot imagine how much colossal energy you used to spend daily on pleasing others, ruminating on resentments, and analyzing others' reactions. When you stop this leak, you gain a resource.
- A New Life: This liberated energy is your "elixir". You can finally invest it not in others' dramas, but in your own creativity, dreams, projects , and in building true intimacy—a mature collaboration where there is room for two whole individuals, not a co-dependent fusion.