Let’s start with the definition of a boundary: a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.
Probably the most significant word in that definition is limits; when we speak of boundaries for emotional growth and maturity, we are referring to the personal limits we to set in order to have healthier relationships. Boundaries essentially come down to two things: behaviour and responsibility – and figuring out the differences between what is acceptable and what is not in each area.
If there tends to be a lot of conflict/drama in your life, you feel that people take advantage of you, you are often left wondering what just happened after an interchange, find yourself reacting over-emotionally to others or tolerating someone else’s unhealthy behaviours, it may be the result of poor boundaries. Poor boundaries tend to either be all self-serving or all self-sacrificing, leaving little room for a sense of stability.
Healthy boundaries, on the other hand, are an important way for ourselves to build self-esteem, to create a sense of consistency to our relationships, to form trusting partnerships to ourselves and others. Healthy boundaries are a cornerstone to a strong, emotionally-healthy constitution.
Tomorrow’s post will look at how poor boundaries may have landed on your doorstep and the steps we can take to move towards creating healthier ones.
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@randyfath