Healthy boundaries are not walls to block others out. They are barriers that set us free to love the right people, most importantly ourselves. – Ann Lesuer

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I want to pause to say HAPPY MLK DAY! Hope you plan to reflect on how you can keep Martin Luther King’s dream alive. For me, I will continue to treat everyone with love and respect no matter the color of their skin. Also, I will continue to speak up when people of color are not treated fairly. It’s a shame that we are still speaking about this matter in 2022, but it is our reality.

How has 2022 been treating you so far? I have to be honest there’s a few areas of my life that have been stressing me out lately, but I continue to move forward each and every day. One area in particular that concerns me the most is the idea of setting personal boundaries to protect my mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. With that in mind, I want to share ways to create healthy boundaries within your current lifestyle. Although, creating healthy boundaries can be empowering and life changing, this process will also help you to:

• Honor your personal values and beliefs.
• Communicate your needs in a relationship.
• Make time and space for positive interactions.
• Set limits in a relationship in a way that is healthy.
• Strengthen your inner self, mind, body, and spirit.

When you recognize the need to set and enforce limits that impacts your life in a positive way, you not only feel a sense of freedom, but you also improve your self-esteem, maintain self-respect, and enjoy healthy relationships along the way.

DEFINE BOUNDARIES

Boundaries are limits you set for yourself that determine what you will or won’t participate in. – Unknown Author

Before going any further, let’s take a moment to define boundaries.

Boundaries (noun):

Guidelines, rules or limits that a person creates to identify for themselves what are reasonable, safe and permissible ways for other people to behave around them and how they will respond when some people steps outside those limits.

It’s important to note that unhealthy boundaries may cause emotional imbalances in your life that can lead to dependency of alcohol or drugs, depression, anxiety, or other stressed-induced physical illnesses. However, if you commit to creating healthy boundaries within your lifestyle, you will:

• Have good mental and emotional health.
• Develop your own personal identity.
• Avoid mental, emotional, and physical burnout.
• Influence others’ behavior.
• Improve self-awareness.  
• Maintain healthy and friendly relationships.

Remember, to always strive to live a well-balanced life throughout this process. I want to share the following barriers you may experience if you don’t establish healthy boundaries within your lifestyle:

• • Fear of rejection.
  • Fear of abandonment.
  • Fear of confrontation.
  • Feeling guilty.
  • Lack of understanding.
  • Safety concerns.
  • Poor self-esteem.

BENEFITS OF CREATING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

I allow myself to set healthy boundaries. To say no to what does not align with my values, to say yes to what does. Boundaries assist me to remain healthy, honest and living a life that is true to me. – Lee Horbachewski

Creating healthy boundaries is an important aspect of loving one-self and practicing self-care. Many people strive to understand the benefits of creating healthy boundaries throughout this fascinating journey called life. It’s important to have a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then using those principles to guide your actions. Finding meaning and purpose may be a lifelong process for most people that evolves based on unique circumstances or individual life experiences.

The benefits of creating healthy boundaries allow you to:

• Improve your self-esteem and self-respect.
• Establish trusting relationships with others.
• Protect your physical and emotional space.
• Establish an equal partnership where responsibility and power are shared.
• Separate your needs, thoughts, feelings, and desires from others.
• Recognize your boundaries and needs are different from others.
• Empower yourself to make healthy choices and take responsibility for yourself.

Keep in mind that it’s natural to experience a variety of emotions, such as hope, forgiveness, acceptance, doubt, fear, disappointment, or conflict along the path to creating healthy boundaries. Just be open, honest and allow yourself to feel all of the emotions that are taking place throughout your journey.

HOW TO CREATE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES USING SELF-CARE

A lack of boundaries invites a lack of respect. – Unknown Author

So, how do you create healthy boundaries while living your best life? The answer is quite simple. You must practice and implement a consistent self-care routine. Self-care is nourishment for your entire soul, mind, body, and spirit. Self-care can also help people become the best version of themselves when they learn effective ways to navigate through life.

Here’s some great ways to create healthy boundaries in your life using self-care:

• Clearly define your desired boundaries and limitations to protect your well-being.
• Communicate well while keeping your personal needs and values in the forefront.
• Give yourself permission to express how you feel in any given situation.
• Keep it simple and don’t feel the need to over explain yourself to anyone.
• Seek positive support from people you trust.
• Be assertive and bold when expressing yourself to others.
• Set consequences and voice your concerns when people fail to respect your boundaries.

Learning to create healthy boundaries takes time and effort on your part. Set your healthy boundaries in your own time frame, not when someone else suggest you do so. Give yourself permission to take time out for you. From time to time, make an appointment with yourself. Don’t wait for good moments to arise, they rarely come. Plan your time wisely and create healthy boundaries that help nurtures your mind, body, and spirit. Peace, love and blessings!

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others. – Brene Brown

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey, and everyone takes their own path.  Ready, set, write!

MIND

• Meditate on peaceful thoughts. Define those thoughts in detail and write about them.
• What is your favorite memory or life experience?
• Write about a mental obstacle you overcame today.
• Did you make time for mental relaxation today?

BODY

• What do you feel right now in this very moment? Listen to your body and write about it.
• Name one area of physical health you excel in, and one you would like to improve.
• Write down 5 ways to relax and commit to doing at least 1 per day.
• What gives your life meaning and purpose?

SPIRIT

• How do you cope with spiritual struggles that occur in your life?
• What set a spark in your soul today? this week? this month?
• How do you respond to setbacks or failures? How could you change from within?
• How does your spiritual values guide my daily decisions and actions?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS

The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none. – Unknown Author

As I stated before, I look forward to hearing from you. Please take a moment to reflect on these questions. Then, share your answers in the comment section below. You’ll be surprised how much we learn from one another. How often do you spend time journaling? What kind of improvements do you need to make in your life? Have you defined your meaning and purpose in life?  Do you ever spend time reflecting on healthy boundaries? Why or why not?  How do I get through tough times? Where do I find comfort?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through any of the links (at no additional cost to you).

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