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As of seventeenth-century the word boundary is used to define a line which marks the limits of an area
"boundaries" often refer to a limit of something abstract,
especially a subject or scope of activity.
To define boundaries is to find the edges where "I" ends and others begin.
Boundaries can be symbolic or social.
Whether in a personal or a professional framework, in order to have healthy relationships or in general
to live in a healthy environment, it is important to set up healthy boundaries
and identify poor ones.
In words of psychologists having healthy boundaries means "knowing and understanding what your limits are!"
In a professional sense, working in an environment lacking healthy boundaries often results in
lack of focus,
feeling exhausted,
powerless and overwhelmed.
You'll start feeling unsure about the relationships or the whole environment in general.
As a result you constantly feel dysfunctional, drained and
consumed by drama and conflicts around you,
and eventually you will dislike your work.
Setting and sustaining boundaries is a skill.
Unfortunately, many of us don't learn this skill
but we pick up pointers here and there from experience.
For many of us, boundary-building is a challenging concept
but once we learn how to ground, honor and communicate our boundaries
we'll see immediate effects in the quality of our everyday lives.
Following statements are adapted from Charles Whitfield's Book on Boundary-building.
Take a moment and answer each statement with "never," "seldom,"
"occasionally," "often," or "usually."
Reading various psychological opinions, I came up with my own list of 7 steps:
Take a piece of paper and write down your limits and pet peeves.
Now think about red flags or cues that you're letting go of your boundaries.
Don't worry. Write them down. It's not judgmental!
Boundaries aren't just signs of healthy relationships;
they're a sign of self-respect.
As Sonya Friedman says "The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others."
It is essential to know the importance of your feelings and honoring them.
You need energy,
peace of mind, inner calm and positive outlook
to be a better version of you to others.
Talk about the process to a person close to you.
Let your feelings out and reflect on them.
Also in order to better handle the cases of boundary violation
it often helps if you become familiar with the regulations and
Code of Ethics of the environment you are setting your boundaries in.
People aren't mind readers. People are different from us.
If you want to be respected, respect others' boundaries.
Communicating your boundaries takes practice.
Start off with a small boundary and build upon your success,
don't go too far, don't push yourself beyond your limits!
After all