Setting boundaries is crucial, not just for our emotional well-being but also for fostering healthy relationships. Yet, many of us come to realize that while setting boundaries is important, it’s not always easy. Especially when those boundaries are mistaken by those we love as rude or unwarranted.

Boundaries can act like sunlight helping relations to bloom, or they can act like salt on the roots causing those same relationships to wilt. It all depends on how they’re set. And that’s where the phrase “Be the Sun Not the Salt” comes into play—which is a metaphor meant to remind us that we want to be a positive force to those around us and not a negative one.

Boundaries are not just an emotional tool; they’re essential for our overall health. Establishing boundaries isn’t about keeping people out, it’s about keeping yourself well. Think of it like maintaining your personal space. Just as our bodies need a comfortable amount of physical space to feel secure, our minds need similar protective measures.

According to a recent study on personal space, we have emotional boundaries that make us feel safe in addition to a physical distance that feels comfortable. When someone physically or emotionally invades our personal space too much, it can cause discomfort and make us want to retreat or, worse, become angry. What this study made clear is that the discomfort we feel in a situation is our body’s way of telling us that........

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