Setting Boundaries – Guilt-free.
January is “Setting Boundaries – Guilt-free” month at Emmaus! We want to dedicate this month to talking about
boundaries – what they are, how to set them, and why they might be helpful.
The word “boundaries” is a big buzzword at the present time, but how well do people truly understand
the meaning?
Setting Boundaries – Guilt-free. January is boundary month at Emmaus! We want to dedicate this month to talking about
boundaries – what they are, how to set them, and why they might be helpful.
The word “boundaries” is a big buzzword at the present time, but how well do people truly understand
the meaning?
Let’s set the record straight…
You deserve to prioritize your own needs even if it means spending less time caring for others.
This is essentially what boundaries are, the recognition of what feels comfortable and healthy
for you and the expression of your needs.
Maybe your friend invited you to a big party on Saturday night, but you’d rather recharge with takeout and a good book.
You’re allowed to recognize this need and say “no!”
Boundaries need to be set with not only the people we have
in our lives but also in other areas of our life, such as work. Healthy boundaries with work might
involve shutting your laptop off at a certain time each night, or ensuring your phone is on “do
not disturb” after hours.
So why set boundaries?
Shouldn’t we be available to our close friends when they need us? Or
be a responsive employee? Although there can be value in these things, being constantly
available to others can take a toll. Failing to set proper boundaries can result in burnout,
anxiety, depression, resentment, anger, and frustration (Glover Tawwab, 2021). If we’re putting
all our energy into helping others or performing at work, there’s none left for taking care of
ourselves.
But setting boundaries is not easy!
That’s because boundaries look different for everyone.
If you’re an introvert, you might need to spend more time alone to regain your energy. Or maybe
you have a friend who treats you more like a therapist than a friend. In this case, you might
have to cut back on the amount of time you spend with them.
In order to discover your own boundaries, it’s important to be in tune with your mental health and emotions when interacting
with others and at work.
Maybe your mother-in-law is highly critical, leaving you feeling insecure and judged. Or maybe you find yourself excessively worrying about a work project over the weekend.
These can be signs that it may be time to reconsider your boundaries.
If you’d like additional guidance in discovering boundaries, therapy can be a great place to start.
At Emmaus Psychology we are here to provide any support needed!
Glover Tawwab, N. (2021). Set Boundaries, Find Peace. Piatkus.
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