Setting boundaries is a skill – and it takes practice! Learning how to set boundaries is important for a lot of things in life. When you set boundaries it can help prevent harm and hurt – including being exploited or taken advantage of.
In our Not a Number trafficking prevention curriculum, we talk a lot about boundaries and building that critical skill. Do you need some tips on how to get started with boundaries yourself? Or would some of this content be helpful to send or talk through with a young person in your life? Keep reading!
Setting boundaries is a skill – and it takes practice!
Learning how to set boundaries is important for a lot of things in life. When you set boundaries it can help prevent a harm and hurt – including being exploited or taken advantage of.
Boundaries are based on values that are important to YOU.
A boundary is a limit or rule we establish in relationships to lower the risk of being hurt, manipulated, used, or taken advantage of by others.
Boundaries matter in our work environments, romantic relationships, with our families, and in our friendships.
Defining boundaries
A core component of a healthy relationship is mutual respect and supporting each other’s well being.
Defining what is healthy in our relationships can help us see what our boundaries should be. Boundaries can be…
- Mental
- Sexual
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Relational
- Emotional
- Financial
- Time
So you wanna set some boundaries?
Here are some helpful steps you can take:
- Name your feelings
- Trust your gut
- Decide what acceptable behaviors are and are not
- Say what you want (or don’t want) – and be clear
- Learn to say no
- Get support
Need some words to help with boundaries?
- “I’m not comfortable with this.”
- “I need a clear outline of my expected work hours and pay.”
- “Please, don’t do that.”
- “Not at this time.”
- “I can’t do that for you.”
- “This doesn’t work for me.”
- “I’ve decided not to.”
- “This isn’t acceptable.”
- “I’m drawing the line at ____”
- “I don’t want to do that.”
- “I feel unsafe completing this task.”
- “I can only work at these times.”
Learn more about our Not a Number curriculum by going here.
