![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![The girls varsity soccer team walk back to their bench during halftime April 1. The Jags played against the Castle View Sabercats at the Douglas County Stadium and scored 3-0 W. “It felt really good [to beat Castle View]. I feel like that was a big win for us because knowing that we came together to beat a pretty good team has definitely given us some leverage for this season,” attacking midfielder Grace Rossner ‘24 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_4906-1-1200x1057.jpg)
![English teacher Colleen Lamb grades College Prep English assignments during period two Nov. 10. Lamb, who has been teaching for 27 years, decorates her classroom with posters and handmade college flags from her senior students. Everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom, Lamb said. So, thankfully, the college [I worked at] had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1158-1200x900.jpeg)
Hello and welcome back to The Secret of Life.
Today, the topic will be setting healthy emotional boundaries with ourselves and others and the benefits that come from it.
The first question we must answer is: what exactly is a boundary?
According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a boundary is “something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent.”
An example of a boundary could be telling someone that you need some space, or even telling yourself to take a break from certain things.
The second question is how exactly we’re supposed to set boundaries.
According to verywellhealth.com, a few things to consider when setting boundaries are starting with a goal that will be accomplished by setting the boundary, creating small, simple and clear boundaries and practicing setting those boundaries.
Boundaries are important and therefore it is also important to know what needs to be accomplished that warrants creating a boundary.
The last question we need to answer is the difference between unhealthy and healthy boundaries.
According to helpguide.org, “Unhealthy boundaries often tend to be either too rigid or too porous. Healthy ones fall somewhere between these two extremes.”
So, to set healthy boundaries, we need to be aware of what all parties want.
If it is with yourself, then you must figure out what the boundary being set is trying to accomplish based on a need. If it’s with others, then you must find out the feelings and needs of all parties and possibly come to a compromise.
It is important when addressing or creating boundaries to be respectful and listen to the other person’s needs as well.
“As long as you are calm and respectful when creating boundaries as well as laying out exactly what you need and want, it’s easier to define and harder to cross,” Noah Beirne ‘24 said.
