You may have heard people say things like, "I am establishing boundaries" or "they violated my boundaries" but what exactly are boundaries?

Boundaries are basically limits that you set with other people. Another way of thinking about boundaries are as rules or expectations regarding how you will/will not be treated or what you will/will not tolerate.

Boundaries help protect us from being taken advantage of or being mistreated and help us take care of our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Setting boundaries with other people is an important part of self-care. For example, imagine you have a friend who is rather demanding of your time and always expects you to be available to talk. In this case, you might use assertiveness skills to let your friend know that you are spending time with your family and can call them tomorrow. Or suppose that you are asked to do a favor when you are already feeling overwhelmed; here, a boundary might simply be saying no.

Poor boundaries often lead to feelings of anger and resentment or things like stress and burnout; so if you are feeling any of these things, it is worth asking, what boundaries do I need to establish to protect my mental and emotional wellbeing?

If you are interested in learning more or in working with me please go to my homepage to contact me or schedule your free 15-minute phone call.

Please note that the information in this blog is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for psychological or medical care. If you are looking for professional help, visit my resources page for guidance on how to find a therapist. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.