When thinking about your boundaries with the people in your life, you decide what is right for you and how the boundary that you set will affect your relationship with that person.
Healthy Boundaries mean that you are establishing the best practices for your life. They can help you to protect your body, thoughts, and feelings. Keep in mind that boundaries affect your physical and emotional state and can make a difference on how safe or vulnerable that you feel.
Healthy Boundaries
can help you:
• feel secure with yourself
• follow your
values and priorities
• build positive relationships
• feel confident
• protect yourself
• stand up for yourself
• enter relationships while remaining true to yourself
• decide what and when to share personal things with others
Warning Signs
review your boundaries if you find yourself:
- not allowing anyone to get close to you while feeling lonely
- remaining in situations that make you feel fearful or unsafe because you want to fit in or be accepted
- always doing what others say, never disagreeing or saying “no"
- impulsively displaying affection or admiration to others out of fear of being excluded
- engaging in sexual experiences because you feel like you need to or are forced to for the sake of maintaining a relationship or to show the other person your dedication to them
- never talking about personal feelings, wants, or needs with your family or close friends
- sharing too much personal information about yourself too soon before trust is earned
- being told you are responsible for someone else's feelings
- saying or doing things you are not comfortable with to get attention or be noticed, for example, speaking or dressing in overly sexual ways, or engaging in risky behaviors
- having difficulty choosing and keeping friends
- doing anything to avoid conflict, including constantly apologizing for things that are not your fault
- avoiding relationships outside your family by isolating yourself from classmates and acquaintances
Start setting healthy boundaries and surround yourself with people who respect them. When you stick with the practices you have set, you will protect yourself and will likely find people who are positive influences in your life. If you are having trouble determining what might be a healthy situation for you, reach out to a trusted adult. If you are not sure who to talk to, we are always here for you 800-448-3000.
