Boundary Basics
Boundaries help protect our time, energy, emotions, values, and physical space.
What is the purpose of boundaries?
Frequently saying yes when you want to say no.
What is a porous boundary?
Protecting your body, personal space, and physical safety.
What are physical boundaries?
Children learn many of their boundary habits by watching these people.
Who are parents, caregivers, or attachment figures?
Frequently feeling resentful toward others.
What is a sign boundaries may be too porous?
A boundary tells others what you will do, while a rule tells others what they must do.
What is the difference between a boundary and a rule?
Refusing help even when you genuinely need it.
What is a rigid boundary?
Limits around your feelings and emotional responsibilities.
What are emotional boundaries?
When this alarm system in the brain senses danger, people may automatically fight, flee, freeze, or fawn instead of setting healthy boundaries.
What is the amygdala?
Feeling exhausted because you cannot say no.
What is a sign of weak or porous boundaries?
Healthy boundaries allow connection while still protecting your needs.
What are healthy boundaries?
Sharing personal information gradually as trust develops.
What is a healthy boundary?
Limits around your time, schedule, and availability
What are time boundaries?
This nervous system state helps us feel safe enough to communicate boundaries calmly and clearly.
What is the parasympathetic system?
Feeling lonely because you keep everyone at a distance.
What is a sign of rigid boundaries?
Boundaries help create this important element in healthy relationships.
What is mutual respect?
Feeling responsible for everyone else's emotions.
What is a porous boundary?
Limits regarding personal beliefs, values, and opinions.
What are intellectual boundaries?
This part of the brain helps us make decisions, control impulses, and choose whether to say yes or no.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
Constantly seeking approval before making decisions.
What is a sign boundaries may be underdeveloped?/Or Codependency
Boundaries are not meant to punish others; they are meant to do this.
What is protect well-being?
Being able to say no without feeling guilty and yes without feeling pressured.
What is a healthy boundary?
Limits regarding personal information, intimacy, and private experiences.
What are relational or personal boundaries?
People who grow up in chaotic or unpredictable homes may struggle with boundaries because their brains learned to focus on this.
What is survival or safety? Fight or flight.
Frequently feeling guilty when prioritizing your own needs.
What is a common barrier to healthy boundaries?