Why Boundaries are Important?

Boundaries define who we let in and who we wish to keep out both physically and psychologically.

Boundaries can also indicate that we have issues with setting limits.  Physical boundaries are those invisible lines that we set in front and behind ourselves.  They can also be referred to as your physical space.  Sometimes we may feel uncomfortable if someone crosses this invisible line and we might react by saying, you are in my space.

This is natural as we all have a comfort level in regards to our personal space.  If a person were to violate your personal space, this may indicate a lack of respect for others.

Psychological boundaries are a different matter.  These boundaries define our limits and how much or how little we allow others to affect us.  For example, if you are an early riser, you might tell friends and family to not call after 8:00 p.m.  This is setting a limit or boundary with others in order to define your rules.  If you set a boundary as to what time people can call you, this is not to say that the boundary is not flexible.  You are setting parameters for what is and is not acceptable for a particular situation or event.

If you are in recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder, setting limits with others is important.  Through setting limits you are clearly articulating your needs and what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior.  This can actually be a lesson in self-empowerment and growth in recovery.

There are those individuals who lack boundaries and express a thought or feeling to another person without provocation.  There are individuals who will share their life experiences the minute they meet you.  This lack of boundaries outlines that the person does not know where they end and you start.  Without boundaries, there is no definition of oneself to another.