What to Expect When You Start Setting Boundaries

Starting to set boundaries for the first time can be a scary prospect. 

Whenever we’re doing something new, especially something that might scare us, it can be helpful to know what to expect so we can prepare ourselves mentally for what’s to come. Fear can even keep us from doing something that we know could be good for us if we don’t feel prepared to manage what’s next. 

In this blog, I’ll outline what to expect from the boundary setting process, and some ways to manage what comes up. Some of this will be happening inside of you, and some of it will be happening in your relationships. Not everything will be pleasant, but that doesn't mean that you're doing it wrong or that it’s not worth doing. The journey is worth it, and I'll talk about some of the good stuff to expect as well.

The first thing I’ll say is that you shouldn't expect boundary setting to happen without some "mess." When I say mess, I mean miscommunications, misalignments, having to repeat yourself, snapping after you’ve repeated yourself too many times, etc., etc. 

If you expect this process to go completely without conflict or confusion, you will inevitably be hard on yourself when things do get difficult, and I really don’t want that to happen. It’s too common for sensitive people who give a lot to be harsh on themselves, and the point of setting boundaries is to make your life easier and happier. 

Give yourself a ton of grace, because you’re going to need it. I promise this will be worth it in the end. 

Internally, it's extremely common to experience feelings of guilt and fear around boundary setting.

We experience guilt due to internalized messages and beliefs on what we should and should not do, want, and be, and we tend to feel bad for failing to give others what they want. In doing so, we take on other people’s stuff that isn’t ours. 
 

Fear is another common emotion that people experience when setting boundaries. We may fear confrontation, conflict, or the loss of a relationship. All of this is understandable!

Unfortunately, some people who are in  abusive relationships may fear physical violence, being cut off financially, and emotional and verbal abuse. These are special situations that require an added level of care and awareness, and people in these relationships may need extra support and protection. 

In many ways, the experience of guilt and fear is something that we simply need to meet with compassion. Facing your fears reduces their power, and remembering that boundaries are healthy can help with guilt. It may help to develop mantras around why you’re doing what you’re doing, and envision the future that you’re hoping to reach through the boundaries you want to set. 

While we can certainly expect to confront some internal barriers to boundary setting, it may be even more important to prepare yourself for how others will react. It’s important to remember that all systems resist change, even positive change. We tend to prefer homeostasis because it is familiar and because all change requires energy. With that in mind, know that facing resistance doesn’t mean that you are making the wrong choices. It simply means that you are bumping up against human beings’ natural tendency to resist having to use extra energy to make change. 

The first reaction to expect from the people in your life is a lack of understanding or surprise. If you’ve set a standard of weak boundaries, it may be a shock when you start to say no or explicitly request behavior change. They may say things like, “This is so unlike you!” or “That never bothered you before.” But listen, there’s no rule of the universe against changing your preferences and doing things differently. You have a right to change your mind.

What they’re saying when they're surprised by new boundaries is essentially code for, “This is different from what I am used to and it makes me uncomfortable.”  You’re not responsible for making that discomfort go away. Just let it ride. You can offer empathy and validation. For example, saying something like “I understand that this is different, and I know change can be difficult.” - but remember that you don’t need to fix it for them. That isn’t and never was your responsibility. 

Boundaries can result in changes to relationships, which is actually kind of the point. Either way, those changes can be difficult both for us and the people around. You may even experience a change in roles that’s challenging to your self-concept. 

For example, if you’ve played the role of caretaker, martyr, or peacemaker, these identities may be challenged when you start to set boundaries and experience shifts. It’s crucial to remember that your worth and who you are is so much bigger and more beautiful than the roles you’ve played. Although it may be scary, letting go of these roles gives you a chance to open up to new possibilities and learn the depths of who you really are. 

Because new boundaries can be uncomfortable, people will often test you at first to see if you’re really serious and if you’re going to stay firm. If you have ever dealt with a toddler, you have probably witnessed a tantrum. Toddlers have tantrums and test boundaries when they don’t get their way. You can expect something similar from the adults in your life when you start the boundary setting process. 

You may be told that you are being unfair, you may see yelling and crying, and you might even get the silent treatment. Much of this can be distilled to the message of “I’m no longer getting what I want, and I don’t like it,” or, “I don’t want to do this thing that you’re asking me to do.” Remember that a tantrum is essentially a person’s last ditch attempt to get their way. In some ways, a tantrum can actually be a sign that a person feels fearful and powerless.

Know that when you witness a tantrum, this is actually a sign that you have a good amount of power in the dynamic. If you can tolerate the discomfort of the interaction and stick to your guns, eventually the tantrums will subside. And much like with toddlers, it’s crucial to stay calm and be consistent.

You may also experiencing "gaslighting," which is another way of saying that you’re made to feel like you’re crazy or that your reality is invalid. You may be told that you’re making up a problem, that you’re being dramatic, or that you have no right to feel the way that you feel. Again, remember to hold firm and stay consistent. 

If you find yourself on the receiving end of gaslighting, remember that your experience is legitimate and important. In fact, setting boundaries is a way of stating that validity to yourself and the world. 

While the tough stuff is a reality, you can also expect some positives as you start the boundary setting process. 

Here are some of the positives of setting boundaries:

The best part? Once you get a boundaries practice going, these benefits are essentially permanent. You’ll have created a life that works for you in all areas, and that will continue to show fruit. 

Good boundaries are a proclamation of self-worth. You are insisting that your wants, needs, feelings and experiences are inherently important, simply because they are yours, which is the truth! Insisting on your own self-worth not only helps you to live life in a way that honors your own humanity, but it also takes the burden of building your self-worth off of your loved ones. 

One of the biggest pluses of starting to set good boundaries is that you’ll be building your authenticity and integrity.

When you take care of yourself, you let the people around you know that they are in relationship with a strong, honest, and whole person. This goes back to my boundaries philosophy that anything that you do to honor and take care of yourself has positive reverberations throughout your relationships, your community, and the world. 

Because you are authentic and integrated, the people in your life will be able to expect honesty in your responses and behavior. You will be saying what you mean, and meaning what you say, and you’ll also bring joy and enthusiasm to whatever you take on.

So much of what’s worth doing in this life involves challenges, and boundary setting is no different. If you know what to expect, you can know that when you encounter some of these experiences. It’s all completely normal. 

Bumps in the road are part of the process, but the bumps won’t last forever. Keep the positives in mind when the tough stuff comes up, and always give yourself credit for getting through the difficulties. Your experience matters!

Reach out to learn more about how to strengthen and grow boundary setting in your life.