When you are in love, do you have a hard time saying NO to your partner? Can you communicate what you like and dislike clearly?
Being in a relationship can be so much fun when you can be yourself and are free to communicate what’s on your mind. Love should be respectful, caring, and equal. Love should not be coerced, shamed, or painful.
The Love is Respect organization (scroll to the bottom of the page for URL if you are using a screenreader, where links are in order of appearance), explains that setting boundaries to communicating each other’s needs and limits are essential in a healthy relationship. The organization also shares tips to explore different types of boundaries.
Emotional boundary
Ask yourself these questions:
Is my partner respecting my emotional safety?
Am I respecting my partner in the same manner?
Is my partner supportive of decisions I make for myself, both physically and emotionally?
Is my partner consistent in their actions and behaviors?
Does my partner demonstrate their trustworthiness by acting in harmony with what they say?
Are we both comfortable spending time apart from each other?
Physical boundary
Open communication is the key to understanding how far you and your partner feel comfortable going.
Here are a few tips for open communication.
Find the right time; find the space and time where both of you can talk calmly.
Talk face to face; text or email has the potential for miscommunication.
Don’t attack each other; use “I” statements to explain how you feel about the situation.
Be honest; truth can hurt sometimes but is essential for a healthy relationship.
Check your body language; show your partner that you are listening to them with full attention.
Digital boundary
Before talking to your partner about your online relationship, check-in with yourself to determine what you are comfortable with online.
Is it ok for my partner to tag me in posts or check-in places together?
Do we post our relationship status online?
Is it ok to follow each other’s friends?
What are the expectations for communication via text or social media?
Is it ok to use each other’s devices?
Is it ok to post about our relationship publicly?
Remember that relationships require both you and your partner’s contribution and respect for each other. When you go over the above tips and questions, it is essential to ask yourself and your partner.
If you are interested in exploring a healthy relationship or wonder about your relationship pattern, let’s talk! Are you interested in learning more about relationship counseling (URL at the bottom of the page)? Contact us (URL at the bottom of the page) to learn more.
Links:
How to Set Boundaries: https://www.loveisrespect.org/healthy-relationships/how-to-set-boundaries/
Couples Counseling: https://www.intouchandmotion.com/counseling-services/dance-movement-therapy-illinois/
Contact us: https://www.intouchandmotion.com/contact/
