Personal boundaries are rules or limitations you put in place to let others know what you deem as acceptable behaviour. These guidelines help you retain your sense of identity and personal space in a relationship. You are essentially letting your partner know what behaviour is okay and where you draw the line. When boundaries are communicated, alongside why it’s not okay to violate them, you allow your relationship to grow and blossom into a healthy companionship.
Setting personal boundaries is nothing but communicating your needs which brings clarity and honesty in a relationship. However, not having healthy boundaries in relationships can lead to unnecessary fights, resentment, and misunderstandings that are never good for anyone.
Personal boundaries help you communicate what is best for you—your needs and deal-breakers. This clarity and honesty are important for self-care, not just for you but for your partner as well. Healthy boundaries are vital to feeling safe, fulfilled and happy. Bestselling author Mark Manson, in his blog, writes, “Not only do personal boundaries boost your self-esteem and bolster your sense of identity, but they also make life a hell lot easier.”
While there are some basic rules to consider when building and maintaining healthy boundaries, it is important to note what works for one person might not work for another. To make things easier, here are some tips that can help you establish healthy boundaries in your relationship.
Establish your boundaries early
Establish your boundaries early in a relationship because once the habits and routines are formed, they are hard to change. Also, this will let your partner know about your needs and expectations—and vice versa. It may require you to step out of your comfort zone to clearly communicate your emotional and physical expectations. But keep in mind, this heart-to-heart communication will help you both understand where you stand as a couple, and whether or not, you are compatible and mutually respect each other’s wishes.
Use your values as a guide
Most of the time, the reason why we struggle to establish boundaries in relationships is that we don’t know our true worth. How can you communicate the same to your partner if you don’t know about your values? Your values are yardsticks to determine what behaviours and habits are acceptable to you. Oftentimes, people who find themselves trapped in a toxic relationship aren’t aware of what they stand for or what they believe in. Knowing your value is the key to making sure that you don’t compromise with your beliefs and ideologies. Your values can be your guide to a healthy relationship.
Personal boundaries in relationships are important because they communicate individual needs, establish limits, and foster a sense of safety and are essential for the emotional well-being of both partners.
Establishing boundaries early in a relationship allows for clear communication of needs and expectations, helps both partners understand where they stand and determines compatibility and mutual respect.
Patience is key when setting personal boundaries in a relationship because it allows for understanding, open dialogue, and gradual acceptance.
Comments