It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about platonic or romantic relationships; they’re both challenging. They require a significant amount of effort and energy, and at times they can be very stressful.
It is important to know how to set boundaries in your relationships while still being compassionate toward the other person’s feelings and needs. This is because there are times when it can be difficult to keep up with all the demands that your friend or partner makes on you.
There are many ways to establish boundaries in any kind of relationship; however, the following are some of the most helpful ways to help protect both your emotional well-being and your mental health from being trampled on by the problematic behaviors of others!
Love yourself
You are deserving of the very best. You deserve happiness. You are worthy of having a partner who will love you regardless of their circumstances and not just when it’s convenient for them. You should have someone in your life who won’t abandon you just because they don’t feel like it or because they’re preoccupied with something else.
You have earned the right to be the primary consideration, not an afterthought or a secondary option. If this isn’t happening right now, you need to make a change before you put too much of yourself into something that is obviously not going to work out.
Avoid energy vampires
People who drain your energy are known as energy vampires. They will make your life miserable. They are mentally and physically taxing, as well as confusing, manipulative, and frequently unhealthy. Sometimes they are members of the same family or close friends, and other times they are just casual acquaintances. Knowing how to defend yourself against an energy vampire of any kind is essential if you want to keep your sanity and continue to feel like you have something to offer the world.
Maintain rigorous criteria.
Defining your limits and protecting yourself from being used inappropriately by others are both important reasons to establish boundaries. You are deserving of the best, so refuse to accept anything less than that. Not only will maintaining high standards benefit you in your romantic relationships, but it will also help you in other aspects of life.
If there is something in your life that isn’t making you happy, either change it or let it go. It is not worth it to wallow in misery or accept subpar treatment because life is too short for that. What comes after this is entirely up to you!
Recognize when it’s time to cut your losses and walk away.
When the time comes to distance oneself from a toxic person, it is never an easy decision. However, there are times when it is required. When we take the time to assess the relationships we have with other people, we are able to have interactions with those people that are more deliberate and purposeful.
When it comes time to decide whether or not you should end a relationship, here are some questions that you can ask yourself that will be helpful in making that decision:
- Do I experience feelings of exhaustion after spending time with this individual?
- Am I putting myself in a dangerous situation by being around this person?
- Does my partner criticize me or act in a way that causes me to have negative feelings about myself?
- Is this person someone who uses foul language?
- Do I dread the prospect of becoming emotionally or physically attached to my partner?
- Does my partner prioritize the requirements of other people over my own requirements?
Don’t Jump to Any Conclusions
Never take it for granted that your partner will remember important dates like anniversaries, birthdays, or holidays. Do not make the assumption that they will return home at the time that they have stated that they will. When you call them, don’t automatically assume that they’ll answer the phone. Also, do not make the assumption that they will act in the way that you want them to.
No matter how much you care about or love the other person in your relationship, it is never appropriate for just one person in the relationship to make all of those assumptions about the other person.
First, you should give it a shot.
Having meaningful connections with the people we care about is one of the most wonderful experiences that life has to offer, but it also has the potential to be one of the most challenging. When things go smoothly, they go smoothly.
But when things get challenging, they can become extremely challenging. Learning how to set healthy boundaries for yourself is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Boundaries protect not only your heart but also your sanity.
Conclusion
Defining boundaries does not mean acting in a self-centered manner. The key to being fit, content, and well rested is to establish healthy boundaries for yourself and stick to them.
You will experience a greater sense of empowerment in the relationship if you establish healthy boundaries with a person who is toxic; these types of people often require us to speak up for ourselves before they are able to hear what we have to say for themselves.
When we are in a relationship with someone who wants things from us, it is important to establish healthy boundaries so that we can feel safe in the relationship. We should not be required to sacrifice our time, our thoughts, or even who we are just because we are dating someone.
You will both be able to get what you need out of this partnership if you are able to set appropriate boundaries with the person who needs space. If one person always needs more than their fair share of everything, then this leads to resentment on both sides of the relationship.