We can preserve good relationships and prevent overwhelm and burnout by learning how to set healthy boundaries.
The dictionary says
“A boundary is a limit or space between you and another person; a clear place where you begin and the other person ends . .
Boundaries can be physical or emotional. A physical boundary might be your own personal space at home or at work. You can make boundaries rigid or loose. For instance, ‘Please don’t phone me at home before 9 am: No exceptions, would be a rigid boundary. An example of a loose boundary might be,‘ It’s not my job to do this but I will help out today because I see you are short staffed.’
If you are confident in your sense of personal identity, boundary setting will be easier. This works two ways. You know when to give someone permission to come into your personal space. Likewise, you won’t feel a need to encroach on someone else’s space. Some people just need to be needed because they are not self-assured. This can be a source of stress for all involved. The person wanting to help all the time, can’t relax unless they are doing something. The other person feels their personal space and private time are invaded. If you would like some help with setting boundaries, I suggest that learning how to be more assertive will help you in setting boundaries.
