On Personal Boundaries and Self-Care

May is Mental Health Awareness month. Although the month is almost at its end, that doesn't mean awareness and compassion for mental health issues are at an end as well. Here are some important reminders I've come across about taking care of my mental health:

Setting healthy boundaries is often seen as “picking quarrels and provoking troubles”, as I was recently reminded during a family disagreement. I set boundaries and was then told I was the problem person because I didn’t like what the family members were doing. What they didn’t understand is that boundaries are a means to keep people in our life, not push them away. By not respecting my boundaries and going on the defensive attack with me about them, the family members lost out on my friendship. Too bad for them.

As a reminder, personal boundaries may sound like:

1. No.
2. Stop doing that.
3. I'm not comfortable with [that behavior].

+Saying "please" and "thank you" is polite, but not required for your boundaries to be respected.

+Self care may include choosing not to argue with people who are committed to misunderstanding you and redirecting blame back onto you.

+If you tell someone that they hurt you, they don't get to tell you that they didn't.

+Sometimes you have to make a decision that will hurt your heart but will heal your soul.

Maintaining my mental health is not always easy, but it is crucial for my well-being.