When are setting boundaries useful? How comfortable are you with setting boundaries in different aspects of your life? Boundaries are important for healthy relationships, personally, professionally, and socially. Studies show that setting boundaries supports our mental, emotional, physical, and social health. Some people find it challenging to set boundaries for fear of appearing unkind or unhelpful. Neither of these is true, as uncertainty and confusion comes when we don’t know what to expect. To start, become clear on your values, needs, and time. Next is communicating what you need in a clear, kind and honest way. Start small if that’s more appealing to you. Use “I” statements to convey your message and be sure to honor other people’s boundaries as well. Revisit your boundaries from time to time and adjust as needed. While an attitude of curiosity and compassion is key in these conversations, it’s also important to recognize that “No is a complete sentence”. With grace and gratitude -and some practice- you can set boundaries in all areas of your life that are important to you and build stronger relationships in the process.
