What Are Personal Boundaries?
Before reading further, take a moment to ask yourself:
What does “personal boundaries” mean to me?
Personal boundaries are the limits we set for ourselves—emotionally, physically, mentally, and even spiritually—that help protect our well-being and define how we relate to others.
They act as guidelines for what we find acceptable, respectful, and safe in relationships, and how we choose to respond when those limits are crossed.
These boundaries are shaped by:
Our values and beliefs
Past experiences
Cultural influences
What we’ve learned about safety, respect, and relationships
When boundaries are clear and healthy, they help us:
Say “no” without guilt
Honor our own needs and emotions
Build more respectful, balanced relationships
Feel more grounded and in control of our lives
But for many of us, especially if we were taught to prioritize others’ needs, boundaries can be unclear or difficult to maintain.
The good news?
Boundaries are skills—and like any skill, they can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.
At Healthy Minds, we’re here to support you in building the tools you need to create healthy, respectful boundaries that support your mental well-being and relationships.
Whether you're just starting to explore this area or want to deepen the work you've already begun, we’re here to guide you—step by step.
Setting boundaries can help us feel safe, respected, and in control of our own lives. They are shaped by a combination of our beliefs, values, past experiences, and cultural influences.
As we grow and develop, we learn how to separate our own needs, feelings, and choices from those of others. For many people, however, these boundaries may not form clearly—especially if they were taught to prioritize others’ needs over their own.
Learning to identify, set, and maintain healthy boundaries is a powerful step toward emotional well-being, healthier relationships, and self-respect.
At Healthy Minds Pyshcology, we can work together to help you establish strong, healthy boundaries—supporting your mental well-being and nurturing healthier relationships, including the one you have with yourself.
Clear boundaries are a key part of self-care and emotional health. Let’s take the steps together toward greater balance, confidence, and connection in your life.
Lets Check in with yourself and look at if any of these questions feel familiar?
Does this sound like you?
Do you say yes when you mean no or feel guilty if you do say no?
Do you use excuses if you do say no?
Do you say yes even when it’s not in your best interest?
Do you find it easy to change your plans for another person's needs?
Do you have so many things going at once that you can’t do justice to any of them?
Do you over-give to feel “useful”?
Do you feel better about yourself (usually only when you are helping) others?
Do you often feel used or angry that you are constantly being taken advantage of?
Do you allow yourself to be overly involved in problems of other people?
Do you blame your own feelings on someone or something else?
Do you feel responsible for others’ problems, feelings, thoughts, actions, choices, wants, needs, well-being?
Do you think people in your life would go downhill without your constant efforts?
Do you find when you are criticized you become defensive and angry when your behavior is questioned?
Are you always worried about others’ opinions of you?
Do you stay quiet to keep the peace or avoid conflict?
Do you settle for being needed when you want to be truly loved?
Do you feel like a “bad person” when you make a mistake?
Do you routinely take care of others needs before your own and take care of everyone else before yourself and that you come last?
If any of this resonates, you’re not alone—and it’s okay to seek support.
Healthy boundaries are learned skills, and with the right guidance, you can build confidence, clarity, and stronger relationships that honor both your needs and your values.
If You Answered "Yes"...
That’s a powerful first step—awareness.
Recognizing these patterns means you’re already beginning to understand your needs more clearly. It may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this alone.
At Healthy Minds, we can work together to:
Set clearer, more confident boundaries
Strengthen your self-worth
Improve your relationships—with others and with yourself
Build emotional resilience and balance
You deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported.
Reach out today and take the next step toward a more grounded, empowered version of you.
Do any of these behaviours sound like you?
High Reactivity to others-A consequence of poor boundaries is that you react to everyone’s thoughts and feelings. If someone says something you disagree with, you either believe it or become defensive. You absorb their words, because there’s a weak boundary. With a boundary, you’d realize it was just their opinion and not a reflection of you and not feel threatened by disagreements.
Caretaking- Another effect of poor boundaries is that if someone else has a problem, you want to help them to the point that you give up yourself to do so. It’s natural to feel empathy and sympathy for someone, but sometimes we start putting other people ahead of ourselves and need to help others and might feel rejected if another person doesn’t want help. Moreover, they keep trying to help and fix the other person, even when that person clearly isn’t taking their advice or want any help.
Denial-Do you tell yourself that the circumstance will improve later, have a depressed or down mood, even feel sick sometimes without understanding why? Feel overextended or stay busy to keep from addressing issues? Usually do you think the problem is someone else or the situation? Do you complain or trying to fix the other people in your life or relationships, or go from one relationship or job to another and never own up the fact that maybe YOU may have a problem? Do you also deny your feelings and needs or are often unsure or don’t even know what you’re feeling and are instead focused on what others are feeling? The same thing goes for your needs. Do you tend to pay attention to other people’s needs and not your own? *IF this is the case you may be in denial of having boundary issues or codependent tendencies.
Anger-often is a signal that action is required. If you feel resentful or victimized and are blaming someone or something, it might mean that you haven’t been setting boundaries. If you feel anxious or guilty about setting boundaries, remember, your relationships suffer when you’re unhappy. Once you get practice setting boundaries, you feel empowered and suffer less anxiety, resentment, and guilt. Generally, you receive more respect from others and your relationships will improve and be healthier.
If any of this sounds familiar or you think you may have Boundary Issues and/ or Issues with Codependency, we can look at building skills to mange these behaviours and thoughts in healthy ways.