Setting boundaries can be incredibly challenging especially when we engage in people pleasing. For many of us, it goes against our deep desire make people like us, while also not disappointing anyone by failing to meet their expectations. However, this can lead us to overcommit ourselves. Trying to make everyone happy, while our own needs remain unmet or addressed, can lead us to feel anxious, stressed, burnt out, and resentful.
The only solution is to develop healthy boundaries. Setting healthy boundaries is essential for our personal well-being and long-term satisfaction by maintaining our interpersonal relationships without feeling burdened by them. And once we begin setting boundaries, we will find that we can also better communicate our needs.
Here are steps to consider:
1. Self-Reflection
- Identify Your Limits: Recognize what you can realistically handle in terms of time, energy, and emotional investment.
- Understand Your Motivations: Ask yourself why you feel compelled to please others and what fears are associated with not doing so.
2. Start Small
- Practice Saying No: Begin with small, low-stakes situations where you can turn down requests without significant consequences.
3. Establish Your Priorities
- Define Your Values: Know what is most important to you and let your boundaries reflect those values.
- Prioritize Your Needs: Acknowledge that your needs are as important as others’ and that meeting them is not selfish.
4. Communicate Clearly
- Be Direct: Use “I” statements to express your needs and feelings without blaming or being aggressive.
- Be Consistent: Enforce your boundaries consistently to help others understand and respect them.
5. Plan and Practice
- Prepare Responses: Have ready-to-use phrases for when you need to set a boundary.
- Role-play Scenarios: Practice setting boundaries with a friend or therapist to build confidence.
6. Accept Discomfort
- Acknowledge Discomfort: Recognize that setting boundaries may initially feel uncomfortable, but it is a part of the growth process.
- Self-Soothe: Develop ways to calm your anxiety when asserting yourself, like deep breathing or positive self-talk.
7. Seek Support
- Enlist Allies: Share your goals with supportive friends or family who can help you stay on track.
- Professional Help: Consider therapy to work on underlying issues that contribute to people-pleasing and perfectionistic behaviors.
8. Positively Reinforce
- Celebrate Successes: Acknowledge when you successfully set a boundary and allow yourself to feel good about it.
- Learn from Experiences: Reflect on what works and what doesn’t, and adjust your approach accordingly.
9. Cultivate Self-Compassion
- Forgive Yourself: If you falter, treat yourself with kindness and understand that setting boundaries is a skill that takes practice.
10. Adjust Expectations
- Let Go of Perfection: Accept that not everyone will always be happy with your boundaries and that’s okay.
- Manage Guilt: Understand that feeling guilty is normal but not an indicator that you’ve done something wrong.
Remember, setting boundaries is not just about saying no to others – it’s also about saying yes to yourself! By respecting your own limits, you’ll likely find that you can contribute to your relationships and responsibilities in a more meaningful and sustainable way.