Understanding Boundaries
$4.00
Emotional boundaries can be tough to define. On the one hand, we want to welcome people into our lives and keep them there. On the other hand, we want to make sure our hearts and bodies do not become damaged by another person’s presence. To accomplish this balancing act, we create boundaries.
Sometimes, these boundaries are so loose, they don’t prevent much more than someone drowning us in a pool. Others have parameters that are so stringent, no one has access to the person’s vulnerability. Both of these places can be very lonely for very different reasons. The former creates loneliness because often, we are so ashamed that we will not discuss the situation with others. The latter is lonely because we push everyone away who wants to get close.
Boundaries are a necessity. I believe that these boundaries are a healthy way of building an emotional home in which to live.
Adapted from Peter Pruyn's Peter’s Psycho-Ed Handouts: Client Handouts and Therapist Resources for Trauma, EMDR, and General Psychotherapy, 2019
Sometimes, these boundaries are so loose, they don’t prevent much more than someone drowning us in a pool. Others have parameters that are so stringent, no one has access to the person’s vulnerability. Both of these places can be very lonely for very different reasons. The former creates loneliness because often, we are so ashamed that we will not discuss the situation with others. The latter is lonely because we push everyone away who wants to get close.
Boundaries are a necessity. I believe that these boundaries are a healthy way of building an emotional home in which to live.
Adapted from Peter Pruyn's Peter’s Psycho-Ed Handouts: Client Handouts and Therapist Resources for Trauma, EMDR, and General Psychotherapy, 2019