One of the most important life skills that many adults continue to struggle with is creating healthy boundaries. Having healthy boundaries is vital to being able to create fulfilling, long-lasting, constantly-evolving and yet sustainable relationships.

Not having adequate boundaries can mean that you constantly find yourself in situations where you end up feeling a burned-out victim, with your personal energy level getting more and more depleted day after day.

Boundaries can be physical, emotional, spiritual or ethical in nature. Here are 4 ways you can create healthy boundaries and protect your core from unhealthy energy vampires:

1. Practice Self-Awareness

The first step to creating healthy boundaries is to take some time to reflect and introspect about situations that have left you feeling less of an empowered equal and more of a helpless victim. Ask yourself if you have any of the following traits that can often lead you constantly into situations where your boundaries get infringed upon repeatedly:

• You are afraid to say NO to avoid upsetting people
• You have a need to feel liked by everyone
• You are constantly trying to take on more and more responsibilities even when you are pressed for time or energy
• You feel the need to look after everyone and make them happy
• You allow others to make decisions for you
• You may share a lot of personal information inappropriately with people you’ve just met or know very little about

2. Speak Up For You, Nobody Else Will

Once you’ve identified patterns in your behavior, you will want to have a plan of action when you are confronted with similar situations in the future. Think about what you want to say and how you will say it, and stick to it.

If you struggle with not knowing the right things to say or how to do better with speaking up for yourself, consider professional help in the form of assertiveness or confidence coaching.

Remember that speaking up, no matter how uncomfortable it can be for you initially, is the first step towards creating healthy relationships and can be a big energy boost when it comes to developing your own sense of self-esteem and confidence.

3. Do Not Take On the Responsibility for Other People’s Energy

You are not responsible for the way other people think or behave. Separate your thoughts, feelings, and emotions from others so that you have your own internal space from which to draw insight. This detachment is essential to preventing unnecessary psychological entanglements with others and to develop a healthier sense of both physical and emotional boundaries.

4. Develop and Nurture Your Personal Network

Your personal mission to create healthy boundaries can be ably supported by a loyal tribe of well-intentioned people who have your best interests at heart. Maintain close contacts with your family if you’ve always had close, loving relationships with them and build relationships with friends who can help you as you go about the task of creating a healthier version of you.

Remember to limit contact with people who are no longer resonating with your newer frequency or those who continue to try to maintain toxic control or power over you.

Creating healthy boundaries is certainly not an easy skill to develop. However, taking the time and initiative to protect your energy level this way gets you one step closer to building a more empowered version of you and ultimately creating a more fulfilling life.

Do you find it difficult to set or maintain boundaries with people in your business or personal life? A coach can help you to develop and enforce the boundaries you need.