What is a Relationship Boundary?
If you have read Mark Manson’s article on Relationship Boundaries, then you are probably familiar with the idea of a relationship boundary. However, it isn’t as intuitive as you would think, and boundaries differ wildly based on the individual and the relationship. To relate the topic to something more familiar, we all can identify with the importance of setting boundaries at work.
Our health depends on understanding what is an appropriate work requirement, interaction, or workload. The same importance applies to our daily personal lives. It isn’t that a personal relationship is work, but rather that boundaries are important and healthy to have in all aspects of our lives.
For some, boundaries with a significant other offer structure and order. They can anticipate, rely on, and expect a certain lifestyle that gives them comfort. Just like anything, boundaries can be set based on a spectrum. For one individual they could be more of a guiding set of principles and loose in exactness. For another, they could be rigid black and white laws that dictate responses and reactions to certain situations.
More likely, it is either a mix of the two or somewhere in the middle. The goal is to find out what parts of your personal relationship are a priority and what level of boundary is needed for your mental and physical wellbeing.
Some examples of healthy relationship boundaries are the following.
Physical Boundaries
These include the physical distance or closeness you need to feel supported, cared for, and loved. Some need their personal space respected and require a bit of alone time. Others love to be all over everyone.
Mental Boundaries
How you have discussion on difficult topics defines your mental boundaries. If you are combative, it may be worth knowing how to avoid tough talks or arguments.
Emotional Boundaries
The emotions of responsibility, guilt, sadness, or blame can weigh heavy. It is worth knowing how to talk about issues without crossing any lines on topics without meaning to.
Financial Boundaries
This involves more practical relationship issues surrounding earning, spending, and saving money or any other valued assets.
Moral Boundaries
The best relationships have an understanding of the core values that each individual holds. It is good to understand where each individual stands.
Sexual Boundaries
Intimacy is a big deal, and everyone should feel comfortable in the bedroom.
Spiritual Boundaries
Spirituality, or the lack thereof, is a big deal for a lot of people. It can represent not just a belief but a way of life.
What are the Benefits of a Relationship Boundary?
When you have personal relationship boundaries, you can fully live in the relationship and enjoy being with the other person. It can also greatly help with a successful Relationship After A Baby Boundaries lead to increased trust, understanding, personal growth, relationship growth. Here are a few other positive effects of healthy relationship boundaries.
- Positive Mental Health
- Growth of Emotional Health
- Influence Growth in Others
- Avoid Mental Burnout
- Personal Identity Development
- Become More Independent
How do you Set Healthy Relationship Boundaries?
Without healthy relationship boundaries, you can start to overcommit yourself to your partner. Your partner will start to over-rely on these stressed aspects of yourself. The relationship and your mental, physical, and emotional health with suffer. It could be related to external forces. Boundaries can help as you are learning How to Deal With “External forces” – Family and Friends. The process is important. To establish a positive set of health relationship boundaries, take the following steps.
- Understand Your Own Feelings, Needs, and Limits
- Understand the Priorities Each Need Has and the Strictness of the Boundary
- Communicate those Boundaries to your Partner
- Clarify Any Miscommunications or Misunderstandings
- Stand Up for Your Needs if They Are Ignored After the Discussion
