Let’s talk about the B word
Boundaries. It’s a buzzword and a hot topic I’ve had mixed feelings about. Let’s dive in.
Boundaries can affect our health and wellness in many ways, but two I’d like to consider here are our emotional well-being and sense of community, which are pillars of living a long, fruitful life.
Recently, a colleague I admire introduced a concept that got me thinking: how our yoga practice (or any practice for that matter) can help to dissolve boundaries and create a sense of belonging. At first, I was shocked by those two words together (dissolve + boundaries) since “setting boundaries” is so popular (and essential) in our modern therapatized climate. But after reflecting, and honestly a little tired of hearing how we all need more boundaries, I thought, wait, this is necessary. There are many instances where we have set boundaries that can keep us distanced from others. Would we all benefit from dissolving some boundaries, even a little bit, to connect with ourselves and our loved ones in an already socially distanced, cold world?
Something I’ve been dabbling with to stay sane is setting boundaries with work. As a teacher’s pet and self-proclaimed employee of the year, it’s tough. But once I stepped back to realize I needed to protect myself from working too many hours and responding to Slack at 5 AM, I cared for my emotional well-being in a new way and felt refreshed. I’m grateful in this process for remembering something my grandfather would say: Work to live, don’t live to work.
Just like everything else, boundaries depend on the other B word: balance. A healthy balance between setting and dissolving boundaries is how we can nourish our emotional well-being and foster community.
Think about it: When we have too strict boundaries, do we risk making connections, forging bonds, creating intimacy, and having new experiences? While on the other hand, if we have too loose boundaries, are we putting others (partners, friends, work) before ourselves, losing all forms of self-trust and self-care? I know my mind, heart, and spirit would benefit from setting and dissolving some boundaries.
I hope your day is spent not thinking about boundaries but simply living for today, and I’ll see you here again real soon.
