Annoying coworkers. Needy children. Nosy neighbors. Overbearing parents. We all have someone in our lives who would benefit from a firm boundary.
Boundaries aren’t rules. Rather, they’re limits, preferences, or expectations. Boundaries allow us to feel safe and calm in relationships, whether they’re personal or professional. And they help us avoid bad feelings like anger and resentment.
Enforcing a boundary can be tough and uncomfortable, but the more you practice it, the easier it will get. You can’t expect people to respect a boundary if it’s left unspoken. There are six main types of boundaries: physical, sexual, intellectual, emotional, financial, and time. Chances are that at least a couple of those areas of your life could use some work.
Healthy boundaries are a beautiful thing: not too harsh, and not too loose. Just right. And with time, they’ll make your daily choices easier and improve your overall quality of life.
For step-by-step instructions on how to maintain good boundaries, check out our Instaread on Set Boundaries, Find Peace.
