WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES?
Have you ever heard the word ‘boundary’? It may seem strange to you, or maybe you’ve heard of it but don’t know the meaning. Have you ever had difficulty saying no to something you don’t comfortably do but don’t want to offend or hurt others? If you often find yourself in this situation, it can be one of the indicators that you struggle to set healthy boundaries.
Boundaries are much like fences, which are limits we set for ourselves to protect our personal or mental space. That way, it will help us distinguish our emotions when interacting with others and help us define where one person stands in terms of physical and emotional limits. Learning how to create boundaries in our life is essential for a person, especially during adolescence, when you are entering adulthood. You will experience new things that are exciting and weird at the same time. That’s why you need to set boundaries that will help you build a healthy rapport with others.
According to psych central by Sharon Martin, these are 10 steps to setting boundaries.
- Identify your boundaries clearly
- Understanding the reason why you need the boundary
- Don’t be vague, be straightforward
- Be stern and don’t apologize or justification
- Keep your anger in check during an uncomfortable situation and use a calm and polite tone
- Start with tighter boundaries around new people, and then you can work your way up to looser boundaries
- Address boundary violations early
- Don’t make it personal
- Find a support system
- Trust yourself and your intuition
Boundaries that people set can be various and different for each person. Setting a limit between your personal space and others is no way by any means to push people away. Instead, it should help you create a healthier relationship with yourself and the people around you.
References
https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-are-personal-boundaries-how-do-i-get-some
https://www.verywellhealth.com/setting-boundaries-5208802