21 boundaries you can set in all parts of your life
written by Jasmine Irven
With the constant connection that comes with our very-much digital lives, boundary setting is becoming more and more important.
“Boundaries provide a clear moral compass. They keep us on track. They protect the important, tender parts of ourselves…They are invisible fences that protect you from the outside world. By the limits you set, you protect your integrity, your security and your self-esteem.”
After some great feedback on our last post on this topic, 4 boundaries to consider setting in your life, I figured it fitting to expand this topic with some more examples and inspiration of boundaries you might find it fitting to implement in your life.
The intention behind boundaries is not to make you feel restricted or unfulfilled. Rather, they are meant to protect your energy, values, wellbeing and essence.
It’s important with all of these to recognize which ones really resonate with you and which ones don’t. It’s unrealistic to implement all of these (especially all at once), but I do hope that you can find a few that really speak to you in this season of your life.
Look at which areas of your life have felt draining recently. Where have you been leaking energy? Where has there been discomfort? These are good areas to begin setting up boundaries that will truly serve you.
So, with that here are 21 examples of boundaries you can set in your life.
01 limiting your screen time
Can you give your eyes a break by reducing your screen time in the morning or evening?
02 having specific work hours
Our work often blends into the cracks and crevices of our day — our family time, solitude time, self-care time, etc. Where can you set stricter boundaries to create more of a distinction between when you’re working and when you’re not? Recognize when you begin to feel stretched thin or burnt out and set up walls that will better serve you.
For example, resolving not to answer emails on the weekends, shutting off your computer at a certain time each night, or not saying yes to work functions just because you feel obligated to.
03 a boundary around your social media usage
Social media isn’t real life (repeat that again). Learn to recognize when your online life is blurring too close-for-comfort with your real life, and know when to take a step back.
Your mental health and wellbeing likely require you to set-up some kind of social media limit. Less posting, less comparison, less liking. More living.
In a world of algorithms, hashtags, and followers - know the importance of human connection.
04 making space for solitude
Can you give yourself space to think? To let your mind wander? To disconnect from external opinions? This is about getting quiet enough to hear yourself and your intuition, that inner knowing or compass within you that has so much to say but never the opportunity to speak.
05 making time for connection
On the flip side, remember to nourish the relationships in your life that are important to you. Community is extremely important. You are often deeply influenced by the people you surround yourself with. Choose to surround yourself with people who life you up. Make time for this connection. Get inspired, have incredible conversations, learn to love and support others.
06 recognizing and protecting your values and beliefs
What’s really important to you? Get clear on what you value so that you can protect these spaces of your life more dearly.
For example if a high value is freedom, maybe it makes sense to only look for jobs that allow you to work from home a certain number of days a week. If a high value for you is family, maybe you set-up a weekly call or dinner with your family to ensure you’re being nurtured in that way.
07 a boundary around your morning routine
How can you protect your sacred morning energy? Can you create space before all the other tasks and opinions of others begin to influence your day? What are the most important things for you to have on your wellbeing checklist?
08 a boundary around your evening routine
Do you need time to unwind at night? To spend time alone or with your partner? Give yourself the time you need to relax, so you can feel nurtured and taken care of.
09 learning to say no
You don’t need to feel guilty for saying no. When you say yes to too many things (or say yes at all to the wrong things) you won’t be able to show up fully for the things that you’re really passionate and excited about. Protect your schedule. Know when you’re over-committed, and be okay with cancelling, moving things around, and simply saying no to things you don’t want to do.
10 resolving to be honest
You don’t need to apologize for how you feel.
11 boundaries around your self-care
If you’re tired and drained energetically, everyone will suffer. Breathe deeply. Make time to learn. Move your body. Connect with your soul. Eat nourishing foods. Recognize the things that give you energy, and ensure you’re giving yourself the time to do those things.
12 recognizing which problems are yours to solve and which aren’t
This isn’t about taking a hands-off approach to every issue that’s bigger than yourself - it’s about recognizing the role you have in the collective, but also recognizing that you are not solely responsible for fixing the everyone else’s problems. If people are leaning on you for support, advice, and assistance to the point that you don’t have time to fill your own cup, you might need to take a step back and reassess what’s really your responsibility. Redefine what role you do play and what role you don’t.
13 creating a budget
Setting a budget that aligns with your values and goals can be helpful in giving you the confidence that you’re making decisions that reflect who you are, and that will serve you long term.
14 boundaries around material possessions
Clutter can quickly lead to overwhelm. Start to recognize which areas of your home feel really good, and what areas cause you a little anxiety or stress. This can help you begin to unpack where your space might need a little refresh or declutter.
Plus, once you establish this baseline, it’s easier to create a boundary around what you want to bring more of into your home, and what you want to potentially limit.
15 limits around creating and consuming
Particularly for creatives, this is an important one to uphold. How often are you letting other people’s content influence what you create? Do you often find yourself comparing your work to others? Are you continuously looking externally for inspiration rather than internally? It might be fitting to promise yourself to create more than you consume.
16 protecting your sleep
How many hours of sleep do you need to make you feel good and rested? What does it look like to protect the boundaries around your sleep to ensure you’re getting enough?
17 emotional boundaries in conversation
It’s okay to have conversations that are off-limit. There’s a difference between uncomfortable conversations that need to be had, and those that don’t.
18 protecting your physical space
Protect your physical space by knowing when to move away from someone, and being clear and concise when someone is overstepping this boundary for you.
19 recognizing when a situation is harmful to you and leaving it
Whether the situation is physically or emotionally harmful, it’s important to recognize when you start to feel uncomfortable and to be able to leave without feeling guilty.
20 boundaries in relationships
Reflect on what commitment looks like to you. Are there any boundaries you need to implement in your relationship(s) to protect yourself or the integrity of the relationship?
For example in a romantic relationship this might look like anything from reserving one night a week to have a date night and nourish your relationship, to setting a firm boundary that you will not tolerate abuse of any kind.
21 pursuing your dreams and goals
The dreams you have are yours for a reason. Ensure you’re giving yourself enough time to pursue the things that are important to you.
Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won't accept.
— Anna Taylor
As always, take the time to reflect on which of these really speak to you and which don’t. Look at your life and where modifications could or should be made to protect your energetic, physical, and emotional bodies.
And, if none of these resonate I hope they give you the inspiration to create your own list!
Let us know which boundaries you’re working on creating below.
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about the author
Hey there! I’m Jasmine, founder of the Sustainable Bliss Collective, a Certified Meditation Teacher, and lover of all things self-care, slow-living, and personal development.
I believe that ambition and self-care can coexist, and as such I hope to encourage and inspire you to take care of yourself, breathe deeply, connect with who you are, manifest your dreams, enjoy the blissful moments of each day, and make an impact in this beautiful world we call home.
Connect with me on Instagram here!
