Domain: Overload & Emotional Compression 3-5 min read Updated: 2026-01-15

Existing Inside a Narrow Margin

You exist inside a narrow margin.

There is room to move,

but only just enough.

This is not a failure

of capacity.

It is a condition

of pressure.

When margins shrink,

precision increases.

Effort becomes constant.

Reducing self-blame

matters here.

You are functioning

under constraint,

not falling short.

Margins widen

when pressure eases,

not when effort increases.

Reduce self-blame around constraint with DojoWell.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I feel like I have to be perfect because there is "zero margin" for error. Why is this so draining?

Living inside a "narrow margin" is exhausting because it keeps the Threat & Safety system on high alert. You are operating at the very edge of your capacity, where a single "open loop" could lead to collapse. The Meaning Density Model™ explains that this isn't about your competence; it's about the lack of "structural buffer" in your life. You are working hard just to stay "neutral," which leaves no energy for "meaning" or "joy."

How do I expand my margins when I’m already doing my best?

Expansion comes from "subtraction," not more effort. You have to ruthlessly close or abandon low-value loops to reclaim space. In DojoWell, we prioritize "structural breathing room." By identifying even one small responsibility you can drop, you create a tiny margin. That margin is where regulation lives. Protecting that small gap is more important for your long-term health than "performing" perfectly inside a cage of constant pressure.