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Setting boundaries


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people don't suck, but I don't know where to post.

I am not good at setting boundaries and have a hard time knowing what is reasonable, so it is more or less if someone is too demanding, I cut them off. I will have little contact. It works, sort of, but there has to be a better way.

I have a neighbor who is really down on her luck. I don't know how to help her with most of her problems, but I wanted to do something small. She had my husband take some photos because she thinks things are missing. She stopped over today and asked for a ride, which was no problem.

Then, she came over again to ask for another ride to drive her to a house, but she didn't know the address. We drove around a bit, but I couldn't find the house. She told me she had anxiety so I gave her a card I had with some resources. She said it won't become a thing where she is always asking for rides. I hope that is true.

My question is, how do I determine what I want to set as a boundary? I don't know if that is a reasonable question, but I am looking for some input on when to say "no" .

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I think that "no" changes for everyone. Some people enjoy driving and, if they liked the conversation, wouldn't mind driving around for a while I'm sure. I'd hate it. For me, that would be a huge no. 

I'm guessing that you didn't like it as it inspired you to post here, and to ask about it. If you didn't like it then it is a no for you.

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I say 'no' when I am asked to do something that will cause any stress, anxiety ... anything negative ... that will affect me.

 

It gets easier to say no after you've done it a few times and boundaries have been established.

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If it is causing a problem, or interferes with things of your own, then it's a no. Like if you have to be somewhere at 3:00 and she shows up at 2:30, well then, it's a no. If you have things to do and giving a ride would interfere with that, then no. If she starts to ask too much and it starts to make you uncomfortable, then no.

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