Healthy Barriers

[View Online]( INSPIRATION [Healthy Barriers]( Maintaining healthy boundaries is about recognizing the point at which our principles, and those of our loved ones, no longer overlap. As relationships evolve, lives gradually become entwined. We tend to have a great deal in common with the people who attract us, and our regard for them compels us to trust their judgment. While our lives may seem to run together so smoothly that the line dividing them cannot be seen, we remain separate beings. To disregard these barriers is to sacrifice independence. It is our respect for the fact that our lives exist independently of the lives of others that allows us to set emotional and physical boundaries, to explore our interests and capabilities even when people close to us do not understand our partialities, and to agree to disagree. Maintaining healthy barriers is a matter of recognizing the point at which our principles and those of our loved ones and peers no longer overlap. Human beings must relentlessly fight the temptation to follow the crowd. Naturally, we want to be liked, accepted, and admired, and it often seems that the easiest way to win approval is to ally ourselves with others. When we assume that our standards are the same as those of the people close to us without first examining our own intentions, we do ourselves a disservice. The barriers that exist between us are a reminder that our paths in life will be unique, and we must each accept that "I" and "we" can coexist peacefully. Our reactions, our likes and dislikes, our loves, our goals, and our dreams may or may not align with those of others, but we should neither ask others to embrace what we hold dear nor feel compelled to embrace what they hold dear. As you learn to define yourself as an emotionally and intellectually distinct individual, you will grow to appreciate your autonomy. However much you enjoy the associations that bind you to others and provide you with a sense of identity, your concept of self will ultimately originate in your own soul. The healthy barriers that tell you where you end and the people around you begin will give you the freedom to pursue your development apart from those whose approval you might otherwise be tempted to seek out. Others will continue to play a role in your existence, but their values will not direct its course, and the relationships you share will remain marvelously balanced and harmonious as a result.   DailyOM Course Spotlight [Radical Boundaries]( Reclaim your personal power. With this empowering course, you’ll gain guided meditations, self-reflection tools, and expert strategies to help you uncover and respectfully communicate boundaries. Learning how to define and establish your personal limits through these lessons will not only support your own well-being but will also help you maintain healthier relationships in your life. [Learn More]( New Courses - [Living in Calmness When Emotions Overwhelm You]( - [Next Level Fascia Miracle: The Lymphatic Secret]( - [The 10-Minute Method to Naturally Tighten Your Face]( - [Karmic Relationships: How to Identify Them and Break Free]( Recommended For You [Discover Your Creative Writing Compass]( [Learn More]( [Rewire Your Brain, Transform Your Body]( [Learn More]( [The Peaceful Warrior 4-Minute Meditation]( [Learn More]( [Hormone-Balancing Workout to Stay Fit Over 50]( [Learn More]( [Heal Your Money Karma]( [Learn More]( [The Menopausal Middle Meal Plan]( [Learn More]( Top 10 Courses 1. [The Vagus Nerve Miracle]( 2. [Next Level Fascia Miracle: The Lymphatic Secret]( 3. [Yoga for Empaths]( 4. [What Women Need to Know About Men]( 5. [Talking to Dead People]( 6. [Transverse Abs Workout for Instant Relief]( 7. [Gentle Exercises to Eliminate Your Neck Hump]( 8. [Living in Calmness When Emotions Overwhelm You]( 9. [Re-Parent Your Inner Child]( 10. [The 10-Minute Method to Naturally Tighten Your Face]( Explore 350+ Courses There's something for everyone. What do you want to learn today? [Browse by Topic]( [DailyOM Logo](   [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( You are receiving this email because you're subscribed to DailyOM. You are registered with {EMAIL}. [Inspirations]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( [Remove me from this list]( | [Help/FAQ]( Copyright © 2023 [Everyday Health, Inc.]( All rights reserved. DailyOM is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 114 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Subject to our [terms of service]( and [privacy policy](.