The Art of Setting Boundaries: Protecting Your Mental Health

Boundaries are not walls. They are clear agreements about what you can offer, what you cannot sustain, and what helps a relationship stay healthy.

Good boundaries are specific and behavioral. Instead of saying you need space, say when you are available, what kind of conversation you can have, and what you will do if the pattern continues.

Expect some discomfort when a new boundary changes an old pattern. That does not mean the boundary is wrong. It means the relationship is adjusting to clearer information.