‘Boundaries in Our Lives’: What They Are and Why We Need Them
‘Boundaries in Our Lives’: What They Are and Why We Need Them
What Are Boundaries?
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, it is crucial to understand the concept of personal boundaries its importance. Boundaries can simply be defined as, where one person ends and another begins. They help us to distinguish our own thoughts, feelings, and needs from those of others. It plays a fundamental role in maintaining emotional and psychological well-being. In reality, many people struggle with identifying, setting, or respecting boundaries, which could often be due to past experiences, cultural norms, or not having a complete understanding of what healthy boundaries look like. For this reason, in a therapeutic relationship, therapists often emphasize the need for individuals to reflect on and strengthen their personal boundaries as a crucial aspect of mental health and interpersonal relationships.
Learn more about creating and managing boundaries with individual therapy.
What Are The Different Types Of Boundaries And Why Do We Need Them
Digging a bit deeper into the concept, boundaries can be physical, emotional, mental, or even digital, and each type explains a different function. Physical boundaries involve personal space and physical touch, while emotional boundaries relate to the ability to manage one’s feelings without taking responsibility for someone else's emotions. Mental boundaries include the freedom to have one’s own thoughts, values, and opinions, and digital boundaries involve limits around technology use and accessibility. Creating healthy boundaries allow us to feel safe, respected, and empowered in relationships, whether in various aspects of our lives, personal, professional, or social.
If boundaries are not well-established, it might not be perceived as a boundary at all or also be violated. This can result in people experiencing feelings of resentment, anxiety, burnout, or low self-esteem. This is particularly common in those who conform easily, do not speak their minds or share their opinions or in individuals who have experienced trauma, where boundary violations may have been normalized or ignored. Therapy is a safe space where therapists often work with clients to recognize these patterns, challenge the emotions of guilt or fear around setting limits, and help one develop assertive communication skills to advocate for their needs.
Resources You Can Tap Into
Support at SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling:
· SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling – Our licensed therapists provide culturally responsive care, with specialized support for managing relationships, establishing boundaries for positive mental health, and stress-related conditions.
· Request an Appointment – Take the first step toward relief and healing by scheduling a session.
Additional Mental Health Resources:
· Positive Psychology: Offers information on how to set healthy boundaries and building positive relationships. It also provides tools (exercises) to help oneself establish and maintain healthy boundaries.
· Science Of People: Provides actionable ways of practicing how to create boundaries politely. It uses real life examples for better understanding.
Why Creating Boundaries Are Necessary
Establishing and maintaining boundaries is not about building walls or pushing others away, rather, it’s about creating healthy, balanced connections based on mutual respect and understanding. Boundaries protect one's mental health, it reduces conflicts, and encourages autonomy and trust in relationships. They also enhance self-respect and be vocal about how others should treat us. Like any other skill, boundary-setting takes practice and patience, especially when changing long-standing dynamics. It takes conscious effort for one to keep drawing the line till it is clearly understood by themselves and people in their lives. There are multiple benefits which become a part of one’s personality like, increased self-worth, more fulfilling relationships, and a greater sense of control over one’s life. For those seeking healthier relationships and a deeper sense of emotional clarity, learning about and implementing boundaries is an empowering step toward overall well-being.
If you’d like to talk with someone about SHIFTing your mental health journey, call us at 914-221-3200 or email hello@shiftyourjourney.com. We’re here to support you.
By: Sharmishtha Chakraborty
Associate Therapist, SHIFT Your Journey Mental Health Counseling