How to Set Boundaries in a Relationship (with Confidence)

Whether it’s with your spouse, your bestie, or your kids, setting healthy boundaries is a must.

But let’s be clear, boundaries aren’t about creating walls. 🏰

They’re about cultivating respect, love, and understanding in your relationships.

Most importantly, they ensure your mental health, identity, and physical well-being stay intact. 🧘‍♀️

So, how do you know you’re in need of boundaries in a relationship?

Well, landing here is a sign in itself.

So, let’s dive into the world of relationship boundaries and help you get a handle on what they look like and how to set them.

In this article: 📝

What are boundaries in a relationship?

When you think of boundaries, strict defenses and borderlines probably come to mind.

And while boundaries are lines we draw to mind ourselves, they’re more like clear guidelines for connection than impenetrable walls.

And they’re not as rigid as you might think.

Boundaries are determined by your level of comfort and, basically, define what’s okay and what’s not okay in your relationship.

They guide how you and your partner interact, respect each other’s individuality, and handle conflicts.

And boundaries apply to every type of relationship, including the ones we share in the workplace, with family members, and with our children.

They’re the unsung heroes of healthy dynamics! 🦸‍♀️

What’s an example of a boundary?

Think about time. ⏰

We all need some me-time and so a boundary might look like expressing to your partner, “I need an hour today for self-care.”

Whether this involves reading, meditating, exercising, or having a date with yourself is entirely up to you.

Or, if you work from home, it could be asking for personal space and quiet time during a certain period of the day.

These types of boundaries are not permanent, but they are crucial for respecting and valuing your needs.

And, most importantly, for ensuring that these needs are met.

Other examples of boundaries in a relationship include:

• Communicating discomfort about a comment or a joke
  
• Saying no to a last-minute invitation or request
  
• Not sharing your thoughts on demand
  
• Requesting communication during disagreements
  
• Not texting every hour

Sure, some of these boundary examples seem obvious written down, but it can be hard to communicate them when we’ve never learned how.

More so when we never knew we could.

You’ve come to the right place! 👩‍🏫

What are basic boundaries in a relationship?

So healthy boundaries are invisible lines that guide others on how to best relate to us. Cool.

But they’re also a two-way street.

It’s important to note that for a relationship to thrive, both sides need to have their boundaries expressed and accepted.

And these won’t always look the same.

Boundaries are totally subjective to your individual experience and comfort levels.

Just like the boundaries you have for each other will differ wildly from the ones you have with your children, friends, or work colleagues.

So, what are types of boundaries in a relationship?

Physical boundaries

These involve personal space and physical touch—basically, what you need to feel safe around others. 🤝

Everyone has different comfort levels, and it’s important to communicate yours with your partner.

And it’s not just hugs and handshakes, physical boundaries also include how you like a space that belongs to you treated.

Emotional Boundaries

These are about safeguarding your feelings, needs, and energy.

You have a right to express your emotions freely and not take responsibility for your partner’s. 🎭

No one should be on the receiving end of another person’s emotional outbursts.

An emotional boundary can look like keeping a sensitive subject off-limits during work time or limiting emotional sharing when your energy is low. 🪫

Time boundaries

Your time is a valuable resource, and you should be the one to decide how it is spent.

Setting boundaries around your time is essential for restoring balance in your life and preventing burnout—especially as a parent. ⚖️

It can also mean ensuring that your time is respected by setting a boundary around lateness or saying no to last-minute invites.

Intellectual boundaries

These refer to your thoughts and ideas. 🧠

Intellectual boundaries are about respecting others’ opinions and feeling secure in having and expressing your own.

An example could be accepting a differing opinion but not engaging in heated debates.

Material or financial boundaries

These cover money and material possessions that have value to you, whether it’s your car, your home, or a piece of clothing. 👗🚗

A material boundary is defining how you expect your belongings to be treated and what is open for sharing.

This could look like setting limits to how long you lend clothes for or having a no-borrowing policy over a certain amount.

In every relationship, it’s important to understand who owns what and how you’ll share your resources.

Sexual boundaries

Healthy sexual boundaries are about consent. 👍

Respect, privacy, mutual agreement, and understanding of preferences and desires are all part of sexual boundaries.

Things like discussing birth control, expressing how you wish to be touched, and when.

Not every type of boundary applies to every relationship—that’s for you to discern.

But it’s essential to remember, especially with the last boundary type, that you can always change your mind.

Boundaries are as flexible as you need them to be.

In fact, it’s perfectly normal for boundaries to shift as your needs change or your relationship evolves.

Just ensure they are set with clear communication and from a space of self-care and not control (more on this below).

What do healthy boundaries feel like?

Put simply, healthy boundaries in a relationship feel like mutual respect and understanding.🫂

You feel just as secure and balanced in their company as you do on your own, safe in the knowledge that you can express yourself authentically. 👩‍🎨

Healthy boundaries mean both partners know what’s expected in the relationship, and this allows for more freedom, communication, and opportunity to grow (together and separately).

And this is important for understanding what boundaries are not.

What is an unhealthy boundary?

Sure, boundaries set limits, but this is intended to build nurturing, respectful relationships where both sides can function comfortably.

They’re not for restricting or controlling another person. 🚫

So, while it’s ok to choose what you wear based on your comfort levels, you cannot tell someone to dress in the same way.

Typically, unhealthy boundaries can be too rigid, coming from a space of fear, poor attachment style, or desire for control.

Or they can be too weak, especially if you struggle with low self-esteem, lack experience with boundaries, or have a tendency to people please. 🥲

But the most harmful boundaries—outside of the ones designed to control and manipulate—are the ones that don’t exist at all. 👇

What does a lack of boundaries look like?

If you feel like your feelings are constantly overlooked or that your identity is slowly fading away, it could be a sign you’re lacking healthy boundaries.

Another tell-tale sign? Feeling powerless. 🚩

Healthy boundaries in a relationship help us feel empowered because they’re built on self-advocacy.

They also ensure each individual takes responsibility for their own emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Without them, the lines that separate two people become blurred, and things like privacy, consent, and personal space are ignored.

You may feel unable to say no or that your time and energy are not your own.

It can feel like you’re being taken for granted or you’re not being seen as an individual. 😔

And this lack of boundaries can lead to resentment, hurt, and conflicts—all the ingredients for a toxic relationship.

Let’s avoid that, shall we?

You deserve better. 🫅

What are the 5 boundaries for healthy relationships?

So, how can you ensure your well-being stays healthy and happy, even when embarking on a long-term relationship?

It comes down to these five boundaries:

1. Clear communication

So, it turns out no partner is a mind reader. 🤷‍♀️

But expressing your needs clearly and assertively (don’t forget respectfully) can get them pretty close. 🗣️

Besides, treating your feelings like a guessing game only leads to resentment.

You know what’s sexier? Honesty, active listening, and regular check-ins.

Talk about hitting all the right spots. 😏

2. Respect each other’s privacy

Think of privacy as your special little room in the mansion that is your relationship.

And respecting it is acknowledging that not every door needs to be opened. 🚪

It’s not about encouraging sneakiness but really about allowing space for individuality (who you are outside of your relationship).

Things like journals, phones, emails, and even your hobbies can and should be invitation only. 💌

Equally, when you choose to confide in your partner, you should feel safe that they will keep it between you.

3. Have separate identities

You’re not just a couple, you’re individuals too! 🎨

It’s important to maintain your hobbies, friends, and interests—they are what make you you.

And likely, they are some of the things that sparked attraction between you in the first place! 🧨

So keep the ‘I’ alive in the ‘we’ dynamic, keep working on your individual growth, maintain those outside friendships, and embrace space.

Think how much more interesting those dinner conversations will be!

4. Consent and mutual agreement

We’ll say it again: consent is crucial in all aspects of a relationship—no matter if it’s physical intimacy or financial decisions.

Basically, consent in a relationship is agreeing on decisions that affect your lives together.

Sometimes a simple ‘no’ will be enough, other times, it may require open, honest discussions at the table. 🎙

But being open to flexibility, compromise, and disagreement helps.

And remember, you’re on the same team—fight together, not each other.

5. Resolve conflicts constructively

We touched off it above, but disagreements are natural.

And in relationships with healthy boundaries, conflicts look more like brainstorming sessions than roaring matches.

The key to resolving issues is to remember it’s both of you versus the problem. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏻

Give space for emotions to cool down and seek to understand (not to win).

Most importantly, know that accountability goes a long way when we’ve hurt someone, no matter if it was intentional or unintentional. 🥺

A successful relationship is one that’s stronger than two egos combined.

How do I figure out my boundaries in a relationship?

Sure, setting boundaries is best at the beginning of a relationship, but sometimes we discover them later down the line.

You may not even know you needed a boundary until you’ve experienced the discomfort of not having it.

It may take time for you to realize that you need a window to decompress after work before your partner offloads.

Or maybe you’ve noticed that regular texting is more distracting than enjoyable during the day.

Long-term relationships challenge and change us, and setting boundaries can strengthen the bond at any stage. 🫶

So, how exactly do you figure out your boundaries?

It comes down to understanding your needs, values, and comfort levels.

If that still leaves you feeling 😬, don’t worry—it may not come naturally now, but it will.

And here are solid steps to start:

• Self-Reflection: Look back on your past relationships and note what felt uncomfortable, disrespectful, or hurtful. Take your time with this if some memories are triggering. Journaling can help. 📖
  
• Identify your relationship values: Think about what’s most important to you. It could be honesty, respect, quality time, or emotional availability. Even love language can play a role 🎯
  
• Reflect on your qualities and traits: Are you outgoing or introverted? Do you value your privacy? Are you comfortable with last-minute changes? These can all play a role in the boundaries you may set. 🤔
  
• Think about when you feel safe: What does it look like when you feel at your most relaxed? What makes you feel comfortable when you’re in new places? Tapping into what makes us feel secure is just as important as knowing what leaves us anxious. 😌
  
• Get clear on non-negotiables: Everyone has aspects in their life that are core to who they are and must be maintained. Things like quality time with family, having meaningful conversations, being intimate, and sharing responsibilities. 🙌
  
• Communicate: Once you’ve identified your boundaries, communicate them clearly to your partner. And make space for theirs. Remember, this is not a one-time discussion but an ongoing conversation that will evolve as you grow. 📢

Setting boundaries can be a process of trial and error, but their benefits are worth the lessons it takes to use them well. 👩‍🎓

And it’s totally fine to revisit and readjust as needed, as long as you set them with good intentions and from a secure space.

Because, really, boundaries in a relationship are about creating a healthy, harmonious home where both of you feel respected and safe.🏡

Worth it.