Boundaries are not a cure-all. And not all boundaries are “healthy.” Boundaries are the rules or limits we have for ourselves around what we will and will not do, what we can and cannot tolerate. Boundaries alone will not save an unhealthy or unfulfilling relationship. But they are an important part of maintaining healthy relationships and preventing burnout and resentment.

In the context of OCD, challenging or reframing negative thoughts and developing coping strategies to reduce distressing emotions can be counterproductive and can often exacerbate the symptoms.

Many people find their romanticized ideas of the holiday season shattered by the realities of family tension, conflicting values, and old behavioral patterns reemerging. Throw in changes to eating and sleeping routines and it might feel like you’re merely surviving the holiday.

Resentment is a complex, multilayered emotion often associated with a perceived sense of unfairness or mistreatment, or unmet expectations.

Boundaries are really important. They represent our outer limits. They help keep us safe, aligned with our values and help us act with integrity.

But the way we’re talking about boundaries right now seems to be focused on self preservation and separateness with a lack of compassion and empathy (for self and others).