Healthy personal boundaries imply to the limits a person places around their body, emotions, time and mental health in order to stay strong, resilient and satisfied. Earlier, Elijah Mcclain had mentioned that establishing healthy boundaries protects people from being used, drained, or manipulated by others. Boundaries are rooted in clear communication. The clearer one is in establishing and expressing their boundaries, the more likely are these boundaries are to be respected. Communicating one’s desires and needs is important to defining the boundaries and living a more liberated existence.
Here are a few tips for communicating and enforcing personal boundaries:
- Visualize and name the limits: The primary step to defining boundaries is to make them concrete. Personal boundaries are often very abstract and confusing as they feel invisible. However, by visualizing one’s boundaries and writing them down, people can gain more clarity on where to draw a line between them and other people.
- Openly communicate the boundaries: One common mistake individuals often make is establishing personal boundaries internally without openly communicating them to those around them. Many people simply assume that others should instinctively understand their personal boundaries. However, without clear communication about where these boundaries lie, it becomes challenging for others to know when they have crossed a line. This lack of clarity can lead to misunderstandings and discomfort in relationships. While it may initially feel daunting or intimidating to openly express personal boundaries, it is ultimately a liberating act.
- Reiterate and uphold the boundaries: Once a person does express and communicate their boundaries, most people are likely to respect it and be apologetic if they unintentionally violate them. However, there also might be people who would not understand or respect the personal boundaries the first time. In such situations, it is prudent to stand firm in the decision and politely remind them about one’s personal boundaries. People should not shift their boundaries for someone else’s comfort
- Do not be afraid to say no: People who are not comfortable with saying “no” typically end up with an overflowing list of responsibilities and duties that they are unable to keep up with. These people typically forgo their self-care as they try to meet the needs of others, and the things they say yes” to. Saying “no” is important for establishing and enforcing personal boundaries. It expresses one’s sovereignty, courage, and self-love over their daily decisions.
Previously, Elijah Mcclain had mentioned that every person must try to establish, communicate and enforce personal boundaries. As people with strong boundaries prioritize their well-being, they also tend to have lower stress levels and higher self-esteem. People without personal boundaries, on the other hand, are likely to let others take advantage of them. These people can lack a sense of purpose, self-confidence, or a clear identity to guide them through life. People who do not have clear boundaries may be easily persuaded into things they do want to do as well, as they act more out of guilt or obligation rather than self-love. Hence, it is vital that people use succinct, clear phrases to address and clarify their comfort level and enforce personal boundaries.
