5 ways to set polite boundaries

Boundaries are not a new concept dreamt up by insubordinate millennials. They’ve been around for centuries, but many would have you believe the opposite. In reality, boundaries are essential to the development and maintenance of healthy relationships and quite honestly, a healthy life. Unfortunately, it’s a skill many of us aren’t taught. Quite a few of us grow up in a world where the most is expected from us at all times. Our attention, our undivided support, our aid. Although a lack of boundaries starts within the home (and is usually a generational problem), it can easily spill over into our school and work lives.

Without boundaries we find ourselves taking on too much. The fear of saying no to our friends, family and boss is just too much of a scary thing to handle. So, despite our own limitations, we become the ‘yes’ man.

“Having health boundaries means knowing and understanding what our limits are.”

- Dr. Gionta.

Why do we need boundaries?

Boundaries serve many functions, but first and foremost they enable us to recognise and stick to our own limitations. They tell others how we want to be treated, what’s good and what’s not, therefore protecting us from harm or mistreatment.

They also create a healthy separation both physically and mentally between yourself and those around you. Boundaries set aside space for yourself, your privacy and your own feelings, thoughts and needs. They enable you to separate work from your personal life, the needs of others from your needs, and your self-care from others. Overall, they allow you to be yourself rather than becoming an extension of someone else. They leave you free to be who you are instead of what others might expect from you.

5 Simple ways to set polite boundaries.

Okay. I get it. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to boundaries when you’re just starting out. The truth is that there is no simple nor ‘polite’ way to do it. Setting boundaries in itself isn’t a rude or aggressive thing, but it’s how others preserve them that leads us to believe that they're impolite. This is especially true in my home country where boundaries are few and far between, especially among families and workplaces.

Be clear about what you want.

Not everyone will need direct and clear instruction when it comes to maintaining and respecting boundaries. But in my experience, those people are few and far between. I usually find that while some of my family members respect that I need time away from them, or respect that I have different opinions to them, others simply don’t get it. They see my opinions, specifically in regards to boundaries, as insulting and even disrespectful.

My mother, for example, would drop everything at a moment's notice to respond to the needs of another person. She would even jeopardise her own self-care and needs for fear of letting someone else down. “Oh what will they think of me if I say no? was a phrase that was passed down to me and something that was constantly on my mind.

For those more difficult to reach, it’s important that we’re direct in what we want to achieve. We need to be able to describe what it is we want and why it’s important to us. Not only will this help open the lines of communication, no matter how different they may be, but it’ll also help you keep sight of why you’re setting boundaries in the first place. It can be easy to give in, but when we have a clear goal in mind, it can motivate us to tough it out. 

If you’re brand new to the concept of boundaries, it might be a good idea to write down what you want, why and a few bullet points on specific talking points. You may even go as far as to rehearse it in the mirror or with a loved one that you trust.

Don’t apologise!

It can be difficult NOT to apologise. I get it. I’m a recovering over-apologiser. But if, when trying to talk about our boundaries, we use excessive explanations or apologies, we end up watering down the message.

For example, instead of justifying why you can’t work that extra shift, simply say ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t cover it’ and leave it there. You don’t need to justify yourself, nor do you need to give a reason as to why you can’t. Even if you have no reason and simply don’t want to work that day, it’s fine. You’re allowed to say no, even without a reason to!

By trying to explain yourself you’re simply reinforcing the idea that ‘no’ is a dirty word. Keep it simple. You have every right to say no, and don’t need to justify it with a ‘valid’ reason.

This may be one of the more difficult steps in the boundary process. I’m still getting to grips with it. But when I catch myself over explaining or seeking justification, I have to remind myself that I don’t need to. All I need to do is keep it simple because I deserve to ask for what I need and I’m entitled to say no.

Don’t take other people too seriously.

Not everyone is going to respond well to your boundaries. In fact, it’s best to expect some hostility. Usually those who respond poorly benefitted from your lack of boundaries in some form, and now that you’re putting up defences, they don’t want anything to change. While some might try to manipulate you away from your boundaries, others may just take some time to come around to the idea.

I’ve found that one of the biggest reasons I didn’t set boundaries was my own internal fear of conflict. I was, and still am to a degree, terrified of upsetting or angering people. This often meant I was sacrificing my own needs, wants and even mental health in order to remain the perfect friend, employee, lover and even family member. But, it helps to remind myself that when people resist my boundaries, it’s an even bigger indication that they’re needed.

Remember: You aren’t responsible for how others react to your boundaries. You can not and should not feel like you need to ‘please’ them or correct how they act towards your new found strength.

Self-care is a priority.

Think of boundaries as an act of self-care. You’re giving yourself permission to put yourself first, arguably one of the most important mantras of self-care. When we start to put our own needs before those of others, our push to stick to our boundaries becomes stronger. It gives us a satisfying kick and before you know it you’re adept at sticking to your guns.

If you need time to decompress after a particularly difficult shift in work, yet you’re being hounded to take on another, it’s okay to say no. Likewise, if you need to spend your one day a week off catching up on some prime relaxation time instead of visiting in-laws, that’s perfectly acceptable. Never feel bad for putting your own need for space, rest and time ahead of what others expect from you. Often their expectations are far too high anyway.

It won’t happen overnight. Start out small.

Learning to reprogram our minds and how we allow others to treat us won’t happen overnight. If boundaries aren’t something you’ve grown up with, then it might take some time to fully accept and implement them. Don’t panic! Like any good habit, it takes time to adapt to a new way of thinking. Practice makes perfect and the more you practice your boundaries, the more natural they’ll become.

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Chloe Quinn is a mental health and wellness blogger from Northern Ireland. Her writing often focuses on eating disorders, anxiety, self-care, and post-traumatic growth among other things. Her blog can be found at: http://www.nyxiesnook.com/