Boundary Basics
This is a limit I set to protect my peace, time, body, recovery, or values.
What is a boundary?
This simple two-letter word can be a complete sentence.
NO.
Boundaries help protect this life change from old people, places, and things.
What is recovery or sobriety?
This emotion can warn me that a boundary has been crossed.
What is anger, resentment, anxiety, or discomfort?
Healthy boundaries allow me to love people without doing this to myself.
What is abandoning myself?
This type of boundary protects my personal space, body, and physical safety.
What is a physical boundary?
This feeling often shows up when I set a boundary, even when the boundary is healthy.
What is guilt?
These are people, places, or situations that increase my risk of relapse.
What are triggers?
When I feel overwhelmed, this skill helps me slow down before reacting.
What is deep breathing, grounding, or pausing?
This is when I take on someone else’s problems as if they are mine to fix.
What is rescuing or enabling?
This type of boundary protects my feelings, mental health, and emotional energy.
Emotional Boundary
Saying “I can’t do that, but I hope you find support” is an example of saying no with this.
What is respect or kindness?
Telling someone, “I do not hang around people who are using” is this kind of boundary.
What is a recovery boundary?
This feeling can make me want to rescue others, even when it hurts me.
What is guilt?
Saying, “I will talk when we can both be respectful” is a boundary around this.
What is communication?
This happens when I keep saying yes while feeling angry, drained, or resentful.
What is having poor boundaries?
This is when I say yes just to avoid someone being upset with me.
What is people-pleasing?
This recovery support person can help me decide whether a boundary is healthy.
Who is a sponsor, therapist, counselor, peer, or trusted support?
This is what resentment can become when I keep ignoring my own needs.
What is a relapse warning sign or emotional buildup?
This is when someone keeps pushing after I already said no.
What is boundary testing or manipulation?
A boundary is not about controlling another person; it is about controlling this.
What is my own behavior or response?
This recovery skill helps me pause before automatically agreeing to something.
What is taking a pause, grounding, or thinking before responding?
This is what I am choosing when I protect recovery over comfort, approval, or old habits.
What is self-respect or long-term healing?
This phrase reminds me that I can care about someone without taking responsibility for their choices.
What is “I am responsible for me, not for everyone else”?
A healthy relationship should include respect, honesty, accountability, and this.
What is trust or safety?