Boundaries
- SV
- Nov 29, 2024
- 2 min read
One day at office, you get ready to go home after a long day at work and your boss comes over and says “The presentation that you were supposed to give by next week, I want it today.”
What happens to the plans you made for the evening? Maybe you were planning to meet an old school friend who is in town, maybe you planned to spend time with your kids, maybe a movie with your loved ones. All these go down the drain just because someone up the chain intruded into your personal time
Do you see these intrusions happening regularly?
Maybe its your boss, or a gossiping colleague or a cribbing acquaintance. These people snatch away something special and precious - your space and time
How to guard it?
Set Boundaries
Boundaries are the personal limits we set for ourselves to protect our emotional, physical, and mental well-being. They help define what is acceptable and unacceptable in our relationships and interactions, whether it’s at work, with family, or in our personal lives.
Imagine boundaries as a fence around your personal space — not a wall that keeps everyone out, but a gate that allows healthy interactions while protecting your core values, needs, and energy. More importantly, you decide what to let in
When we fail to set boundaries, we allow external pressures to dictate our actions, often at the expense of our mental strength. This can lead to anxiety, resentment, and even burnout. Boundaries act as a shield, protecting your mental health and reinforcing your inner strength
How to enforce boundaries?
Understand your needs - Before you can set a boundary, you need to be clear about what you need. Ask yourself:
What is important to me?
What makes me feel respected and valued?
What situations consistently drain my energy?
For example, if you find that constant work emails after hours cause stress, your need may be for more personal time to recharge. Knowing this, you can set a boundary around after-hours communication
Communicate Your Boundaries Clearly - Boundaries only work if they’re communicated clearly and assertively.
Here’s an example: Instead of saying, ‘I’m too busy to help with that project,’ you could say, ‘I can’t take on additional tasks right now, but I can support you in finding someone else to help.’
The key is to be firm but respectful. Assertive communication helps others understand your needs without feeling blamed or dismissed.
Stay Consistent - Setting a boundary is just the beginning — you also need to maintain it. This means sticking to your word and following through. If you set a boundary around not working late, but you continue answering emails at midnight, it sends mixed signals
So, no matter who the intruder is - Do not hesitate to say No. And feel free to repeat it till others understand your boundaries and respect it
