Boundaries can be difficult to establish, for a variety of reasons: for
some, the thought of boundaries is selfish while for others defining the
boundaries is the challenge. Once defined and correctly implemented
though, boundaries can assist in creating calm as expectations are managed for
all involved. While it may appear the job is done, setting boundaries is
not a once off task.
As relationships evolve, professional and personal, boundaries will need
to be adjusted - either relaxed or made more stringent. Consider a
friendship: it would be less acceptable to contact a new acquaintance late in
the evening for a chat but more acceptable in a long-standing friendship where
this boundary has become more relaxed. In a working relationship, regular
lunch colleagues may need to create stricter boundaries around their lunch time
if superiors feel the interaction is becoming inappropriate.
However, even where relationships are in a state of continuation,
boundaries must be revisited. Humans are creatures of habit and we tend
to slip back into old routines - sometimes despite our best efforts.
Generally, this decline into the old and familiar is subtle and we are unaware
of it, waking up one morning wondering how everything got so out of
control. Again.
