Boundaries
Each person must decide where they draw the line between preserving their privacy, at least from those with whom they are not intimate, and letting others in. To maintain those lines, they erect boundaries and work to preserve them. Some individuals are more vigilant, and even aggressive, about enforcing their boundaries, which can lead to discomfort, if not conflict, with others. But in general, setting healthy boundaries can be a way of preserving one's mental health and well-being.
Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries means, first of all, knowing what one wants and expects from the people in their life, and what they’ll accept from them—and then clearly, concisely, and calmly stating those ground rules. For many, though, this is harder than it seems.
Individuals who don’t set boundaries with the people in their lives may believe that they are less worthy than others, and that their needs are less deserving of attention. They may shy away from telling others that they’ve violated their boundaries because they fear the social consequences. If such a pattern continues, they may lose sight of their own wants and needs.
Someone who consistently sets their needs aside to accommodate the needs or demands of others may be a people-pleaser. This is not a clinical diagnosis, but it describes a personality type characterized by low self-worth, assertiveness, and self-awareness, and a tendency to overapologize, take the blame when not at fault, and overvalue the praise of others. With help, often involving therapy, a people-pleaser can begin to assert themselves, make others understand their limits, and begin putting their own needs first.
The Most Challenging Boundaries
Some boundaries are relatively easy to establish: telling a child not to touch a parent's computer, for example, or asking a coworker not to leave their things on one's desk. Others can seem daunting, such as telling a parent they can't drop in to see a grandchild at any time, or asking a partner to respect their daily exercise time. Insisting that close friends or family members honor a boundary one knows they may not agree with is a challenge, but to preserve one's balance and well-being, it's often essential.
Setting boundaries in a romantic relationship can be challenging for many reasons—including conflicting expectations, hurt feelings, and conflicting cultural messaging about what romantic partners can reasonably be expected to compromise on. What's more, because boundary violations can take many forms—disclosing private information to others without approval, not honoring a partner's work schedule, or touching them in ways they don’t appreciate—partners may inadvertently violate each other's boundaries without realizing they're doing so. With well-established boundaries, though, a couple can thrive. Partners must clearly state a boundary, enforce it by reminding the other when they’ve violated it, and not reward boundary-crossing behavior.
After a romantic relationship ends, one of both partners may resist completely letting go of their connection to the other, leading exes to attempt to stay friends, maintain online communication, or even have sex. Experts suggest the key to a healthy parting is the establishment of strong, agreed-upon boundaries, based on an honest assessment of how much contact partners decide they’re comfortable with, and clear communication about it. But at least at first, research suggests, the healthiest boundary may be to take some time apart to evaluate next steps without pressure.
Especially when spouses or grandchildren are involved, it can be hard for adult children to set boundaries with their parents, but it is often necessary to do so, for the adult child to maintain independence, keep from being treated like a kid, and avoid having to justify their decisions at every step. If topics such as finances or parenting styles, or disapproval of a partner are to be off-limits, that needs to be stated clearly; so do limits on unannounced visits and guidelines on time spent with grandchildren.
Yes, but it may not be easy and it requires vigilance. Someone who has narcissistic personality disorder, or is very high in the personality trait of narcissism, may try to take advantage of others and demand that they put themselves second to the narcissist. To maintain one’s boundaries in the face of pressure or even abuse from a narcissist, experts suggest never justifying or explaining oneself when saying no; stepping away when a situation feels unhealthy; sidestepping or ignoring intrusive questions; calling out the narcissist’s tactics; and establishing consequences.
Establishing a healthy therapeutic bond, or a connection between a therapist and a client, is crucial to making progress and having successful sessions. To do so, a mental-health professional is likely to set several boundaries proven to benefit the process of therapy. For example, they are likely to avoid contact with clients outside of sessions, to resist answering many questions about their personal lives in sessions, and certainly to avoid any romantic or sexual connections with the people they treat.