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How to Identify Your Personal Boundaries

PeaceLoveandPaws May 26th, 2021

Personal boundaries are the limits that you set when it comes to what you expect from a person and how they behave towards you. They indicate what you find acceptable and unacceptable in someone else’s behavior, particularly with someone that you are close to, such as family, friends, or a partner. Personal boundaries are important. They let other people know where they can step and where they can’t.

But, how do you know what your boundaries are? How do you start setting boundaries? Daniel Riley, a writer with Lifehack.org, suggests the following steps for identifying your boundaries and how to begin setting your boundaries.

Identify Your Boundaries: It is impossible to begin setting personal boundaries when you don’t even know what they are or where they lie. This is why the starting point for anyone who feels like they may need more/fewer boundaries is to identify where they currently stand. Determine what you value most. Personal values might include saying no to over committing your time, listening to your needs, or being treated respectfully. Personal boundaries are uniquely individual.

Start Simple: Rather than completely pushing back on people that are overstepping, turning your back on every single aspect of your old beliefs, start with small steps in setting boundaries.

Listen to Your Feelings: If you aren’t sure about where your personal boundaries should be, it might be a good idea to check in with your feelings and the sensations in your body every now and then. These will usually give you an excellent indication. Your feelings are like directions on the side of the road. They will let you know what areas that you should probably investigate a little further.

Be Assertive: Being assertive doesn’t mean being cruel or insensitive. Being assertive simply means stating what you want or need in a clear manner without beating around the bush.

When thinking about setting boundaries, what do you consider to be a hard no for you personally?

Why is listening to your feelings important when you are establishing your personal boundaries?

(Source: 9 Ways to Build and Keep Healthy Personal Boundaries (lifehack.org): https://www.lifehack.org/874872/personal-boundaries)

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2
Sunisshiningandsoareyou May 26th, 2021

Thankyou for this very informative and helpful post @PeaceLoveandPaws !! 😊

Having healthy boundaries is super important,I guess most of understand this importance and necessity after things get to the point of incorporating some boundaries forcefully, more awareness on this and more validation that it's okay to enforce some personal boundaries is thus super vital , I feel !

* Personally , I find it hard to say No when someone needs support and I value their need over mine , even when I am not available physically/ emotionally for providing it !....Something to work on hehe :')

* I feel it's extremely important to listen to ourselves and our needs , we all do have some things that are against our values or is just not okay with us, its needed we become more mindful towards things that can affect us negatively and thus re assure that it's okay to put ourselves first and listen to our own needs too in order to achieve a safer emotional balance ❤

May 27th, 2021

Good to read