Respect My Bubble

Why You Should Establish Your Boundaries Before Taking Your Relationship To The Next Level

BY MIA HOLLIE

Whether you are in a committed marriage, a “situationship,” or embracing the single life, all romantic relationships come with their periods of trial and error.

And if one thing is for sure, it is that not completely understanding your partner’s intentions and boundaries in a relationship will lead to more lows than highs.

But what if you already know your partner’s intentions? Well, this is where boundaries come in.

Boundaries will help you navigate any relationships that you hold close to your heart. They are crucial in understanding how your partner’s intentions match your own and whether the relationship is a good one.

Boundaries help people decrease the amount of emotional energy they exert while in a relationship and enable them to maintain a sense of agency while simultaneously being committed to someone else. Not having a clear set of boundaries for both romantic and platonic relationships could have serious consequences. According to Prism Health North Texas, a lack of adequate limits could result in stress, financial burdens, wasted time, and other related issues. Women are also more likely to make their boundaries too lenient, often trading independence for a false sense of interdependence. On the other hand, an intention is, by definition, an idea that you plan to set into motion. So, what does this mean in terms of a relationship? Well, an intention for a relationship could be something as simple as intending to grow with your partner spiritually or intending to support your partner through their various ventures. To sum it up: an intention is a goal, and a boundary is a rule set to achieve that goal. Of course, you could intend to support your partner on their chosen professional path, but if you don’t have clear boundaries separating your life from theirs, you have helped them at what cost?

PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES:

Is quality time your love language? Or do you value your personal space? Are you the type of person to share everything, even the food on your plate, or do you prefer to keep things separate?

EMOTIONAL BOUNDARIES:

Empathy is almost always a good trait to have, but it sometimes comes at a cost. Ask yourself how much of your partner’s baggage you are willing to make your own. It would also be good to assess how vulnerable you are willing to be with your partner. If you don’t feel comfortable spilling every trouble to your partner, don’t. Conversely, if you want to tell your partner everything, make sure they are willing to absorb all of your baggage as well.

ETHICAL BOUNDARIES:

Is your religion a driving force in your life? Do you cherish your ethnic and cultural ties, and see them as something you can’t forego to continue in a relationship? These are essential questions to ask yourself when setting ethical boundaries. Relationships require respect, and a partner that does not respect your social, cultural, and religious background will have you feeling alienated and misunderstood.