As we transition out of lockdown, there is a lot to think about at home and at work. Lockdown has affected us all in different ways, and it is only normal to feel uncertain about what the future holds.
Many people feel confused, worried and apprehensive about the changes going on around them – whether this means more people coming into work, going back to pub, or working out alongside people in the gym again.
Everyone’s situation is unique. However, as you approach your changed workplace, there are some general principles that will give you the best chance of staying mentally healthy over the coming months.
What is the answer? For me, its boundaries. Boundaries create space for you to be emotional healthy. They are something you can start working on today with the people close to you and you’ll begin to notice a difference in your self-esteem, confidence, emotional stability, and so on.
But if this doesn’t happen for you naturally, or if you’re not quite there yet with the self-esteem, here are steps you can take on the boundaries front:
Set your boundaries, literally. This is easier said than done. But you will get nowhere unless you define what your personal boundaries are. What will you tolerate or not tolerate in your life? What behaviours will you accept or not accept? From your family, your partner, your friends, your colleagues, your mailman, the guy upstairs, your Tinder date.
Decide what the consequences are if someone breaks one of your rules. This is bound to happen, and often. And it will be difficult to think of what the consequences should be once it does. You’ll be biased by the person, the context, and a myriad other factors. So decide from the get-go.
Communicate the above clearly. Make your boundaries known. This is particularly important for the people closest to you. It’s probably okay for the mailman to not know all your boundaries (save for the basic ones like not breaking down your door to deliver mail), but it’s absolutely not alright for your partner to not know when they’d be crossing the line.
Follow through. If someone crosses your boundaries, do what you said you would. Be compassionate, but be firm.
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