SLA Leah Hunter, MAMFT Brain Library · Handout
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Connect

Boundaries come out of what matters.

They are our responsibility to hold.

Boundaries are not walls to keep people out. They are commitments to what matters most, so we can show up with integrity in our relationships and in our lives.

01

Boundaries are built on three things

Values

Our inner compass

They guide what we believe is important and how we want to live and love.

Boundaries protect our values in action.

Wants

The things we’d love

They bring joy and meaning, but they can wait.

Boundaries make space for what we want.

Needs

What we must have

They support our well-being, safety, and alignment.

Boundaries meet our needs and keep us well.

When our boundaries honor our values, wants, and needs, we create a life that feels aligned, not depleted.

02

What boundaries look like

Value

I choose connection and respect.

Boundary

I won’t stay in conversations that are disrespectful.

Want

I want time to rest and recharge.

Boundary

I say no to plans that will leave me exhausted.

Need

I need calm to regulate.

Boundary

I remove myself from chaos and sensory overwhelm.

Value

I value honesty and integrity.

Boundary

I won’t agree to things that go against my values.

Want

I want more quality time.

Boundary

I protect my time so I can be present with who I love.

Need

I need to feel safe.

Boundary

I limit or end contact with people who hurt me.

03

They are our responsibility to hold

We can’t control other people’s choices, behaviors, or reactions. We can only control our own.

  • I set the boundary.
  • I communicate the boundary.
  • I follow through with the boundary.
  • I adjust the boundary when needed.
  • I hold the boundary, consistently.
Remember

Their response is not my responsibility.

Boundaries are not about changing others. They are about staying true to you.

04

Boundaries are an act of self-respect

Holding boundaries isn’t selfish. It’s how we stay aligned, regulated, and available for the people and things that matter.

I can say “yes” freely when I have boundaries. I can show up fully without resenting. I can give from choice, not obligation.

Without boundaries, resentment grows. With boundaries, relationships thrive.

05

Practice check-in

Pick one situation that’s been costing you. Answer each line.

What value am I trying to honor?
What want am I trying to make space for?
What need am I trying to meet?
What boundary would support this?
How will I hold it?
What might get in the way, and how will I stay committed?

Boundaries aren’t about having less connection. They are about having the right connection, with yourself and with others.