Boundaries are your savior.

We live in communities and we interact with people every day. Every individual is unique and has good and bad traits of behavior. Creating boundaries is a life skill. It is an act of honoring ourselves and other individuals with needs that differ from others.

When an individual creates boundaries, it is an indication of what is acceptable and unacceptable to them. The first step to creating them is to be self-aware. Without understanding oneself, one cannot form clear boundaries.

Boundaries help avoid burn outs and with emotional regulation. They keep you emotionally and mentally healthy. With boundaries, it’s easy to manage time, feel connected with yourself and be in control of your life.

A person without boundaries will always face intrusion by others. There will be unclear expectations and one might constantly feel guilty about saying ‘NO’ to those expectations. Some might face disrespect and can be taken for granted.

There are four types of boundaries: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Freedom is an essential part of a human’s life; the freedom to have a personal space, mental health, emotional well-being, and spiritual beliefs is crucial to living.

The key is to know your rights and the social rules that you sign up for when being a part of any group. Boundaries are not just in personal relationships but should be formed at one’s workplace, in communities, and within other institutions.

A few steps to set clear boundaries: Be assertive, know yourself and your rights, stick to your decisions, learn to say ‘NO’. Communicate effectively about your boundaries, feelings, and thoughts to the other person or the group.

Ways to practice boundaries: Get a support group that motivates you to think about yourself and set filters for others so that they can contact you only when you allow them to do so. Keep repeating the above steps to get better at setting boundaries.

Other types of Boundaries: Put time limits on News consumption to avoid information pollution, and digital gadgets to avoid excessive screen time. Stay away from negative conversations and people to stay positive.

Final word: You will see the benefits of setting boundaries when you: improve at managing your time; have your personal space to think and grow; create healthy relationships at home and the workplace; feel respected; have self-esteem; and feel generally happier.