Out Of Boundaries

Boundaries are all about protection…the preservation of general wellbeing…good physical and mental health.

We’re surrounded by boundaries in the guise of things like rules, laws and regulations…clear definitions of what’s expected of us…defined borders around acceptable and permissible behaviour.

When it comes to being a functional member of society, we know what’s expected. We’re entitled to lobby for change or reformation but, in the meantime, we are fully aware of how far we can push an issue and when we are risking taking the matter too far.

Society’s boundaries are policed. Breaches are not only seen and noted but they can become costly.

But one of the greatest challenges to mental health in society today is the lack of clearly defined and understood emotional boundaries. And that comes down to the essentials of self-awareness. If we don’t know who we are and what we believe then we are unable to adequately protect ourselves.

That’s where society’s boundaries differ from personal boundaries. Society has its own policing system. That’s for the masses. But as individuals we are our own protectors.

Personal boundaries include knowing what it is that we find acceptable…especially what we are prepared to accept from the people around us. It’s about having a clear, rational and understood perception of where own borders have been drawn. And it’s about holding the line when challenged or threatened.

A lack of personal boundaries is a major contributing factor to an individual’s emotional instability and general insecurity. For that reason it’s vital that we put effort into understanding ourselves. It’s important to know why is it that we believe the things that we believe.

No two people are the same. But it’s by establishing our own boundaries and respecting the boundaries set by others that we can hope to enjoy a more harmonious existence and better mental health.