Two weeks ago, I got invited to a baby shower. I volunteered to cook for 50 people. I spent the whole day cooking. Then the night before the event, she messaged me that she had to uninvite me but “wanted” me to still drop off the food.

I was stunned. She didn’t even apologize — just assumed I’d still deliver everything. After hours of chopping, stirring, and packing, I felt completely used.

So I politely told her I couldn’t deliver food for an event I wasn’t welcome at. She blew up, calling me “selfish.” But the truth is, boundaries matter. If I’m not good enough to sit at the table, I’m not good enough to provide the feast either.

Moral of the story: Never let people treat your kindness like it’s disposable.