Set and assert your boundaries. Respect other people's boundaries.

Setting boundaries is about respecting your own needs, time, and personal space. However, those struggling with low self-confidence often find it difficult to assert these boundaries.

You might find yourself constantly saying “yes” to tasks you don’t have the capacity for, or staying silent when someone oversteps your comfort zone. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and disrespected.

Remember, it’s okay to say “no”. It’s okay to voice your discomfort. Asserting your boundaries isn’t about being confrontational; it’s about standing up for your own wellbeing.

By respecting your own boundaries, you show others how to respect them too. And that’s a powerful boost to self-confidence.

Setting boundaries is essential for healthy relationships, and for a person’s individual emotional health and well-being.

In order for boundaries to work, specificity and consistency are key. Making clearly-defined boundaries requires a person to clearly state what behaviors they’ll no longer tolerate, along with the consequences for what they’ll do if their boundaries are crossed.

Crossing boundaries doesn’t necessarily mean someone isn’t nice, but if someone does it happens repeatedly, they’re showing you their true colors. When someone habitually crosses boundaries, it indicates that they care more about their own needs than anyone else’s, which is a cornerstone of not being nice.