Setting Healthy Boundaries

Healthy boundaries are an essential part of self-care. As the old saying goes, You can’t force a person to show you respect, but you can refuse to be disrespected.

According to an award-winning life coach at Forbes, boundaries are crucial for creating trust and building healthy relationships. Being able to set these boundaries can often prevent or improve common issues such as low self-esteem, needing approval from others, the fear of being rejected or criticized, and everyday anxiety.

From a young age, many of us learn to be selfless people-pleasers. We may feel the need to always accommodate others, and put their needs before our own. Under the strain of our obligations, unbalanced relationships, and carefully crafted personalities, we may eventually lose touch with our true, powerful selves.

Going forward, we must make a commitment to become our own first priority, set healthy boundaries, and communicate honestly with others.

What are the Benefits of Healthy Boundaries?

Setting healthy boundaries can provide you with the opportunity of finding and focus on your true self. This includes being who you want to be and doing what you love to do. By learning to simply say “no” you may:

• Build better self-esteem.
• Enhance your mental health and emotional well-being.
• Avoid burnout.
• Develop independence.
• Create healthy and respectful relationships.

Here are a few ways to turn healthy boundaries into simple, everyday habits:

1. Literally Set Boundaries

Although it may be easier said than done, setting your own boundaries is the first and most crucial step to developing healthy relationships. What aspects of life are you willing to accept? Which actions will you reject? Think about these questions when yearning for stable relationships with your loved ones, your spouse, your friends, and your coworkers. No matter who it is, never feel obliged to do something you don’t want to do.

2. Consider the Consequences 

After clear communication, your friends, family, or colleagues should now be fully aware of your boundaries. The next step is to establish the consequences for those who do not respect your rules. Although this may seem difficult, you must stay true to yourself and those boundaries. For example, this could mean spending less time with the other person, reducing how often you meet up, or, at its most extreme, ending the relationship. 

3. Don’t Miss Out By Pleasing Others

Whenever you say “yes” to everything, you may also be saying “no” to something else. Live for yourself, not for other people. Do not let your fear of being judged, or disapproved of, prevent you from being authentic. Saying no doesn’t mean you are rude. You can still be polite, without having to please other people!

4. Practice saying “no thanks” without giving a reason.

It’s normal to feel as though you have to justify your boundaries to other people. But you don’t, and occasionally the best straightforward response is “No, thanks.” You may want to start by declining simple offers such as saying no to a drink.
Anxious about making these changes? Check out our service Quantum Breakthrough or send an email to connect@awakenharmony.ca