Although giving space in relationships might seem to be the beginning of a relationship’s failure, sometimes all it needs to build a healthy, strong and faithful relationship is by giving space. Don’t get me wrong I’m not insinuating that you and your partner need to be apart before your relationship can thrive, all I’m saying is that sometimes all you two need is a healthy space so as to feel what it is like to be apart. Also Healthy boundaries are important in a relationship as they serve as an invisible fence that protects you and your partners emotional and physical well-being while giving you guys room to grow and improve your connection.
When a relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect, no doubt the relationship will be healthy and it will also last. And if a relationship is built on a foundation of feelings alone, the result might be vice versa. Mutual respect should entail politeness, kindness, and most importantly understanding and honoring your partner’s boundaries. With these achieved the connection in your relationship tends to become stronger and also last longer.
What Are Boundaries
Boundaries can refer to as the guidelines, restrictions or limits that an individual establishes to clarify behaviors, interactions and expectations that are acceptable when people are trying to Interact with them. boundaries can be set in various aspects of life, whether by physical touch, or the emotional aspect of their life.
Types Of Boundaries
- Physical Boundaries: Physical boundaries involve personal space and touch. They are used to determine how close you can be to someone without being uncomfortable. Knowing this, you will be able to pinpoint the distance people can be close to you before you become uncomfortable. Knowing about your partner’s boundaries in a relationship is very important, you will be able to know when to touch them, where to touch them and where not to touch them.
- Emotional Boundaries: Aside physical boundaries, Emotional boundaries are actually the most important in a relationship. It involves protecting your emotional state and well being and at the same time nurturing the feelings you have for your partner. Setting emotional Boundaries will help you identify and express your feelings, and also recognize when other people’ emotions are affecting you.
- Mental Boundaries: To set up a healthy Mental boundary, you need to firstly respect your own thoughts. You need to be independent and discard other people’s opinions on your thoughts or beliefs.
- Social Boundaries: To Set up a healthy boundary, you need to take into consideration your Social boundaries. You need to set up a boundary around how much you interact with people socially, as well as defining acceptable behaviors and expectations in social settings
Benefits Of Setting Healthy Boundaries In A Relationship
- Prioritize self-care: setting healthy boundaries in a relationship helps you know the time to say “no” to some requests which are unreasonable or requests that take too much of your time.
- Maintain healthy relationships: This might sound unreal but trust me setting healthy Boundaries in a relationship is a good way to nurture mutual respect and understanding in a relationship.
- Boost self-esteem: Setting boundaries is a good way to demonstrate your self-respect and strengthen your sense of self-esteem.
- Increased self-respect: Setting boundaries shows that your value and needs are your first priority.
- Improved communication: Boundaries can help improve the understanding between people.
- Reduced conflict: Since boundaries are a means to convey to people what you don’t like and what you find disturbing, it’s a good way to reduce conflict.
- Stronger emotional well-being: Boundaries help in building a strong emotional well-being as it creates a safe space to process your emotions and maintain your mental health.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries:
Of course Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially when you first start, some people tend to think you have become hostile or you are unfriendly. Below are some tips to help you get started:
- Identify Your Needs: Think about what makes you feel uncomfortable, comfortable, disrespected and respected. With this , you will be able to tell people what you want and what you detest.
- Be Clear and Direct: Tell people what you want and what you don’t , be straightforward and try as much as possible not to sound disrespectful.
- Practice Saying No: No doubt people will expect you to fulfill their wish, however not all of them are reasonable. If you find a request daunting or outside your boundaries , It’s okay to say no.
- Be Consistent: Don’t change your mind after setting your boundaries, be consistent and continue enforcing them.
- Respecting Other People’s Boundaries: This is the most crucial aspect of these guidelines. People tend to be revengeful, so it’s better to not do what they also set aside as boundaries so that they won’t do yours.
What is Personal Space?
Personal space refers to the physical distance others people need to maintain so as for you to be comfortable. Although personal space can lead to a relationship’s downfall, it can also save a dying relationship. Sometimes giving your personal space is the best way to resolve a conflict.
How To Respect Each Other’s Personal Space
- Be mindful of body language
- Don’t touch without seeking for permission physical touch: before you get close to people or before touching them, you need to ask for permission and make sure it was granted
- Be aware of crowded spaces: If you find yourself in crowded situations, avoid getting in physical contact with people as they might detest this kind of thing.
Parting Words
To uphold your partner’s boundaries, firstly you need to be an active listener so as to be able to pay attention to verbal and nonverbal behavior that might indicate discomfort. Knowing this will let you know the activities they find disgusting and the one they find lesser. Secondly you must ask your partner for permission before engaging in physical contact, Thirdly respect their “yes’ ‘ and “no” , and finally try as much as possible to avoid taking things personally.
About The Author
