You might sometimes think that being a good person means helping others as much as you can, always lending a shoulder to cry on and being there for everyone all the time. Unfortunately, these activities can drain us and take a toll on our own emotional health which is why setting boundaries is so important.

Boundaries are rules or limits we set to protect our health and well being. We identify and express how other people can behave around us so that we feel safe. Boundaries can include setting expectations about how much alone time you need in a romantic relationship, preventing family members from speaking negatively about loved ones, or establishing physical safety measures when spending time together. They can be an important tool to help us feel secure in our surroundings and with other people, creating an environment for each person to be themselves and have their needs met.

Rather than thinking about boundaries as selfish, consider them as necessities you require to live a happy and healthy life.