25 Journal Prompts for Boundaries You Might Need to Set

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Last Updated on October 25, 2022

Feeling overloaded? Giving into people’s requests only to feel drained after? Are you a chronic people-pleaser? These are a few surefire signs that you don’t have the proper boundaries in place for yourself.

But it’s not your fault. Sometimes, we don’t even know what boundaries we should be setting in the first place! You might be so used to saying “yes” to every obligation that it’s difficult to stop the cycle. That’s what these journal prompts for boundaries are here for!

Journaling allows you to really assess where, when, and who you feel drained by. As you reflect on some of these prompts, you might realize that you aren’t protecting your work/life balance. Or you might have a friend that expects too much of your free time. Whatever the case, these things usually come to light when you sit down and take the time to truly analyze your situaiton.

So if you’re ready to finally identify good boundaries and learn how to enforce them for better self care and wellbeing, keep reading!

Table of Contents

What are Boundaries?

Boundaries are the limits you set with others in order to preserve your energy. Boundaries will look different for everyone, like how extroverts may have a larger “battery” for socialization than introverts do.

Identifying your boundaries can look like knowing when to say “no,” when to cut off a toxic friend, or when to step back from certain obligations.

Why Boundaries Matter

If you’re a people-pleaser, boundaries are more important than ever. It’s all too easy to give into the obligation of saying “yes” to everything, even if it puts your wellbeing in jeopardy.

But identifying what your boundaries are and then enforcing them is essential to your mental health. By figuring out the limits you need to set in your relationships or interactions with others, you can clarify where your needs lie.

Think of a boundary as a standard you set for yourself. It gives you a voice to stand up for yourself. Without knowing what your boundaries are and how to enforce them, you can wind up in compromising positions where others have a power imbalance over you.

But knowing exactly what your boundaries are and how to stick to them will give you the confidence and the security to know your worth, stand up for yourself, and live in alignment with what’s right for you!

How Journaling Can Help You Set Boundaries

The biggest benefit of using journal prompts for boundaries is the clarity it provides you. Do you ever get a million thoughts juggling around in your head? Journaling can help you prioritize those thoughts and arrive at conclusions you wouldn’t have otherwise had.

You can think back to times where you wished you had enforced a boundary. Maybe you should’ve said “no” when being invited to go out during that busy week, maybe you let someone treat you poorly because you didn’t know what to say.

Now that you can look back on these situations, what would you have done differently?

Journaling helps you work through these thoughts and situations so you can identify what your boundaries are and how you’ll go about enforcing them.

25 Journal Prompts for Boundaries to Set in Relationships

Do you struggle to understand and enforce your personal boundaries? These journal prompts for boundaries will help you figure out your values, your limits, and how to protect yourself in relationships and other interactions!

Which areas of your life need more space?
Which relationship of yours is the most draining right now? (journal prompts for all your relationships right here!)
What feels overwhelming in your life?
What feels healthy and balanced in your life? How can you replicate that balance in other areas?
Do you struggle with feeling obligated by others’ requests? What can you tell yourself as a reminder that you deserve to have boundaries?
Do you ever feel ruled by perfectionism?
If you’re a people-pleaser, what motivates you to be that way?
Which consequences are you afraid of as a result of enforcing your boundaries? How can you counter those fears? (journal prompts for easing your anxiety right here!)
What boundaries are you especially craving in your personal life right now?
What boundaries are you especially craving in your professional life right now?
What boundaries would contribute to helping you live the lifestyle you want to live?
What would feel freeing for you to say “no” to right now?
What steps do you need to take in order to stick to the boundaries that would serve you?
What boundaries would best align with your values?

Like journaling? Want to help your mental health while doing it?

If you wish you had guided journal prompts conveniently bundled just for you to help with life’s daily stressors, you’ve got to check out my printable mental health journal!

It’s jam-packed with 33 pages of writing prompts and mental activities for understanding your emotions, overcoming unhelpful behaviors, and reframing negative thoughts.

GET THE MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL

Do you feel worthy and deserving of healthy boundaries? If not, what would it take to get there?
Do you have any boundaries in place that are weak/not working? How can you improve them?
What is a boundary you know you need but aren’t honoring? What keeps you from doing so?
Has anyone ever challenged the boundaries you’ve tried to set? What was your response?
What would help you feel more in control of your time, energy, and quality of life?
How do you usually respond when your needs aren’t being met?
What is something you’ve been trying to achieve but feel “blocked”?
Is there anyone or anything in your life that’s made you feel “trapped”? How?
Think back to a time where you did stand up for yourself. What made this possible and how did you feel afterward?
How is your work/life balance? If you’re unhappy with it, what can you do to improve it? (here’s some Wednesday affirmations for work to get through the midweek slump!)
What do you need most from the people in your life right now?

While journaling can help with boundary-setting and mental health, you’ll find the most benefit if you pair it with therapy. Talking to an online therapist can really help you out. I know it’s helped me tremendously! I always recommend Online Therapy because it’s a comprehensive, effective online therapy toolkit at an affordable monthly cost. Get 20% off your first month at the link below!

FIND AN ONLINE THERAPIST

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