When it comes to setting boundaries, it is important to first and foremost establish what your personal boundaries are and to not be afraid to actually apply them. It is very easy for people to take advantage or to try to test your boundaries. If you know what your boundaries are then it will become much more automatic for you to enforce them and to be able to live up to them. Some people might think that someone is a mind reader and will instantly know what your boundaries are but unfortunately, that is far from the reality. It is also important to recognize that what you see as a personal boundary might not be the same for someone else. So what is the easiest way to convey your boundaries?

The best way to establish your personal boundaries is to have the strong ability to say NO to someone. While it might come off as abrasive or rude on the surface, when it comes to your boundaries, you need to learn to be able to say no and to essentially stand up for yourself. If you don’t, then no one else will and you are leaving yourself in a vulnerable position where you will be taken advantage of or manipulated. It is important for you to advocate for yourself and to communicate your boundaries so that there are no mixed messages or any miscommunication. As I mentioned previously, people cannot read your mind and it is unreasonable for you to expect everyone who you encounter to be able to obey your boundaries when you do not explicitly spell them out. If you find that someone tries to overstep your boundaries and/or cannot take no for an answer–do not be afraid to remove this person from your life. All healthy relationships require mutual respect and boundaries. Remember that someone who loves, cares, and supports you will have no problem honoring them.