###### 🔑 Boundaries make healthy relationships stronger [[🕯️ Boundaries]] sound like a "KEEP OUT" sign to some people, but they actually help maintain and strengthen [[⭐️ Relationships]]. Relationships without boundaries end up building resentment and then by the time our [[💡 Parts|Parts]] can't deal with it anymore the relationship falls apart because we waited too long to say something. Boundaries can be caring, creating safety for everyone involved. > In the pursuit of healthier and more fulfilling relationships, it's important to recognize that setting boundaries isn't an act of pushing others away, but rather a courageous invitation to foster deeper, more respectful, and nurturing connections. It is about giving both yourself and the other person the opportunity to grow, to change, and to flourish in a space that is free of criticism, financial dependencies, and other unhealthy patterns that might have been holding you both back. > > As you stand firm in your resolution to nurture a relationship that thrives on mutual respect and understanding, remember that the ball is in their court too. It's not just about your efforts; it's about their willingness to step up and embrace this change, to work alongside you in building a bond that is enriching for both. And sometimes, the resistance isn't against you, but against the vulnerability and effort required to alter long-standing habits. > > So, as you navigate these complex waters, free yourself from the burden of guilt. Know that your willingness to strive for a healthier connection is not just a gift to yourself, but a loving invitation extended to them - an invitation to walk hand in hand into a relationship that cherishes the well-being and happiness of both individuals involved. > – Matthias J Barker Sometimes ending a relationship can bring up guilt for pushing them away or cutting them off. > Sometimes it's not that you're pushing them away, it's that they're declining your invitation to step into a healthy relationship. A relationship without the alcohol, without the financial dependence, without the patterns of criticism and disrespect. Like you're actually enthusiastic about having a healthy relationship with them, you would love to have that relationship, but it's them who are pushing back by demanding the presence of something that is not healthy. > – Matthias J Barker [^1]: