Boundary – plural: boundaries
– a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line
Okay so let’s be honest, how uncomfortable does it make you to talk about boundaries? When I was first trying to figure out what exactly I was missing in life, it made me extremely comfortable & I avoided it at all costs. Since taking time to understand why I was so uncomfortable, I also discovered why they are so beneficial. Boundaries are so helpful in absolutely every aspect of life by letting others know where you draw the line and when you need your space. This can be with your coworkers, children, spouse, family, etc. by simply letting them know one of your boundaries was crossed. Now I’m not a therapist or life coach so I can only go off of what has worked for myself and others around me. By politely saying that you are uncomfortable when they sneak up on you at the office or that you absolutely need time away from the kids, you are making sure your needs are understood. Here is the tricky part though, this isn’t going to magically make people stop.. It is going to take consistency from you to enforce your boundaries every single time they are crossed. Eventually, you won’t have to continually feel like you are having to stand up for yourself.
Why Boundaries are necessary if you work at home:
I know I said that boundaries are important for everybody, but in my opinion the most important “type” of person to strongly benefit from strong boundaries is somebody that works from home, especially if they have children! By creating boundaries around your work space & time, you are setting yourself up for success. A great example of this is having set working and nonworking time or life time. Allowing yourself to run on a schedule helps create a routine for others involved, resulting in more productivity for you in the end. This boundary also helps establish a quiet and nondisruptive working environment when you are working.
During nonworking times, it can be pretty easy to just open your phone and begin checking on work things. Try to remember that most times, it can wait. Be present, allow yourself to enjoy the moment and your surroundings.
Tip/Action Steps:
- Evaluate your boundaries, in all aspects of life!
- Change what doesn’t feel right
- Reinforce your boundaries every time necessary
