There is often a great deal of emphasis on the importance of
cultivating flourishing relationships, in the personal sphere as well as the
professional one. Common components often encouraged include reaching out to
people, extending help, sharing stories, keeping each other’s secrets, and
valuing and supporting one another. We tell people, In friendship, there is no
sorry and no thank you. In reality, what we may be inadvertently promoting is
the lack of boundaries rather than fostering healthy interpersonal ones.

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Boundaries are an essential component of any healthy
personal or professional relationship. They are there for a reason, and it
applies for all in some form or another. Different people have different
boundaries. These could be physical -I do not enjoy giving or receiving
hugs,professional -I will not pick up work calls after 7 pm or during
weekends personal -I do not wish to talk to you about this particular
matter or general -I really need some space right now.

As a society, we tend to break boundaries as opposed to
building them. It could be expressed like Why don’t you like giving hugs? It
gives such a warm feeling! or Why do you need space? Tell me because I’m your
friend and I will help you. At most times though, what an individual with
boundaries really needs is not for their boundaries to be tested, but instead
to be respected. In fact, it is not only alright to have boundaries, it is one
of the most crucial yet overlooked aspects of a healthy relationship. Boundaries
help you to maintain personal space and privacy, cater to your needs with
assertiveness, give you a safe base to operate from, and add to your sense of
autonomy.

In the era of working from home, the lines between our
personal and professional lives seem to have become further blurred,
confronting us with a new challenge and thus a fresh opportunity to learn how
to create healthy boundaries with others as well as yourself. It is unclear how
much longer such an era will continue or whether it is here to stay, but this
much is certain: no matter what our life circumstances demand of us, we need
space for ourselves. The key to work-life balance lies neither in our
professional life, nor in our personal one, but in the very thing they have in
common: you.

Here are some ways to get that much need space and draw
those much-needed boundaries:

• Do not be available 24*7. The first step to helping others
  respect your time is to respect your own time. Adhere to specific working
  hours and make yourself unavailable for work-related matters prior to or after
  that. The remaining time is for yourself, your relationships, your hobbies, or
  other commitments.
• Establish rules at home. The same way work is not allowed
  during personal time, if you are working from home, let your family/flatmate
  know when it is okay or not okay for them to be around you while you work.
  Clearly set rules will help avoid unnecessary tensions, confusion or
  video-calling faux-pas.
• Voice your thoughts. Setting boundaries has everything to do
  with being assertive in your communication with others. If you are having
  trouble with something, express your concerns. Allow yourself to say no to
  things. Honest and assertive communication makes for healthier relationships.
• Take a mental health day off. It is okay to take a day off
  for your mental wellness the same way it’s okay to take a sick leave. Don’t
  feel guilty to take one when you need one. Your physical and emotional
  well-being comes first. When you feel well yourself, you can put your complete
  effort into whatever you’re doing.

People tend to mistake boundaries as a bad thing as if
you’re trying to keep people away and not let them into your world. But
boundaries actually allow for closer relationships because they are based on
mutual respect and understanding of each other’s space. The truth of the matter
is that boundaries are as essential to a relationship as spaces are between the
words that form a sentence. Start by validating your own personal space and
respecting your own boundaries. People will follow suit.