I have learned one thing over the last year. (Well, I’ve probably learned more than one thing but I am only going to share one thing now.)
It is my responsibility to draw healthy boundaries with the people in my life.
I can’t delegate that responsibility to anyone else. And I can’t depend on the other half of my dysfunctional friendship to draw appropriate boundaries. Drawing healthy boundaries in MY life is MY job.
If there is no fence, or any semblance of a border, around a large open space, I can’t blame a weary wanderer for trespassing. And if there aren’t established boundaries in my relationships, I can’t blame a seemingly codependent friend for overstepping confines that have never been established.
So, this is me, taking the initiative and drawing healthy boundaries in my relationships. And if anyone neglects them, then we are going to have a talk, and if they still can’t come to embrace my need for these boundaries, then I think we’ll all be better off rethinking this ‘friendship.’
Do you draw healthy boundaries for the relationships in your life? Or do you wait for someone to go a step too far and then get agitated, frustrated, and all out of sorts?
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.