Boundaries in your professional and personal relationships are needed in order to maintain both a healthy intimacy and respect. For this to occur, you will need to first establish intellectual, emotional and physical boundaries with all of your relationship partners. Establishing boundaries in your relationship can be difficult at first because most people look at boundaries as limits. However, when you understand that boundaries will actually help maintain respect, keep conflicts down, and promote closeness, you will be more apt to take a greater look at your relationships and the impact that they have on your life. If you are in need of setting limits in your life, here are ways to help you establish boundaries in your relationships:
– When you identify the need to set a boundary, do it clearly, preferably without anger, and in as few words as possible. Do not justify, apologize for, or rationalize the boundary you are setting.
– At first, you will probably feel selfish, guilty, or embarrassed when you set a boundary. Do it anyway, and tell yourself you have a right to take care of yourself. Setting boundaries takes practice and determination.
– When you set boundaries, you might be tested, especially by those accustomed to controlling you, abusing you, or manipulating you. Plan on it, expect it, but be firm.
– Learning to set healthy boundaries takes time. It is a process. You will set boundaries when you are ready. It’s your growth in your own time frame, not what someone else tells you.
– Develop a support system of people who respect your right to set boundaries. Eliminate toxic persons from your life.
