Many people have heard to term “boundaries” but have no idea what they are. In recovery, boundaries are essential for living a healthy and substance-free lifestyle. This is a new year and with that comes the responsibility of creating a new you. Perhaps you have been thinking about boundaries in your personal life but are not sure how to even begin to incorporate them. Whatever your situation, it is crucial to set boundaries. This applies to you no matter where you are at in your recovery.
This blog post will examine how to create new boundaries with others and yourself, discuss the benefits of boundaries for the new year, and discuss why communication is important in boundary setting. Then, the blog post will discuss how The Guest House can provide resources to assist you in setting boundaries in recovery.
What Are Boundaries in Recovery?
Boundaries are invisible lines that tell others what is acceptable and what is not. For example, during the pandemic, we were told to stand six feet apart from each other. That is just an example of setting a physical boundary to prevent sickness from spreading.
Boundaries in recovery are healthy ways to take care of yourself and your recovery. These boundaries create clear guidelines about what you are willing to accept in your recovery. Boundaries allow others to know what is safe and how to honor your wants and needs.
How Do I Set Boundaries for the New Year?
Many people think about goals and challenges they would like to work on for the new year. As you generate new ideas for things you would like to work on this new year, this can give you motivation to set new boundaries.
Setting boundaries can sound really good. However, getting started with setting them can seem overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Reflect on the “why”: In what way will this boundary help you in your recovery? You should know why you want to create this boundary in the new year.
- Start with saying “No”: Say no to the things that do not bring you joy or happiness. If you do not want to go to an event, politely say that you are not interested.
- Define your priorities: Think about what is important to you in your life right now. What do you want to make more time for in the new year?
- Prioritize self-care: Make time for self-care and recognize when you need extra self-love.
Communicate Wants and Needs in the New Year
One of the most important concepts related to creating boundaries is being open with communication. Let’s face it, creating a new boundary in the new year is tough for most people. Boundaries in general are difficult, as humans tend to be people-pleasers. You may ask yourself the question, “What does communication have to do with setting boundaries in the new year?”
When you create a boundary, you are assuming power over your life and not allowing others to steal your peace of mind from you. Communicating your boundaries is important because this allows others to know what you will tolerate and what is off-limits in the new year.
Effectively communicating your boundaries is not just about what you say but your attitude, body language, and the tone that you utilize. This is important when creating boundaries as you want to protect your boundaries in the new year. If communication is a struggle for you, a counselor at The Guest House can help you cultivate effective communication skills to assist you.
What Are the Benefits of Boundaries?
As mentioned above, boundaries are the lines that protect you from situations, people, or things that have the potential to negatively affect you. When you are clear with your boundaries, people will understand your limits and what you are willing to withstand. People who do not respect your boundaries may not be people you want to be around during your recovery.
Some benefits of healthy boundaries are:
- Increased self-esteem
- A greater sense of self-awareness
- Strengthened sense of identity
- Less burnout
- A stronger recovery
- Less stress
Putting yourself first can be a challenge. However, it is now time to do so in the new year. It could be that for quite a while, everyone else’s priorities and needs have taken precedence over yours. Now is the time to change that pattern. You are valuable and deserve to create boundaries that protect your well-being.
Boundaries at The Guest House
Learning to set boundaries is a healthy coping skill that can help you to set limits and thrive in recovery. At The Guest House, we understand that boundaries are essential in recovery and can be utilized as a tool for protecting your emotions. In recovery, understanding how to process emotions is difficult and can be stressful. No matter where you are in your journey, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Creating boundaries is difficult if you’re used to allowing others to walk all over you. Perhaps you want change but are afraid of losing relationships. Sometimes it is scary to think about saying “no” to people you love. Yet, the new year brings a sense of newness and change. This is the year to create and stick to protecting what you have worked so hard to achieve. At The Guest House, we understand your hesitation about trusting others to help you on this journey. However, we will meet you where you are and respect you every step of the way. If you or someone you know is struggling with boundaries, give us a call at (855) 483-7800.