If you’re a ‘Yes’ person, it can be difficult to set boundaries. Pleasing other people becomes a priority, and in doing so, you often put your own wants or needs aside.
‘Yes, I’ll work overtime tonight, no problem.” Or “Yes, I can cancel my plans. It wasn’t a big deal anyway”, even though, deep down, it was a big deal.
Though you may find it hard to admit, the lack of boundaries is leaving you open to overcommitting and undervaluing your own needs. And that’s not OK.
It’s time to sit down and reassess the boundaries, or rather lack of them, in your life. The sooner you establish some ground rules, not only for yourself but for the people around you, the sooner you’ll find yourself saying “Yes” to a happier you.
And to help you get started, we’ve put together 75 boundaries quotes about setting limits in your relationships.
Why Should You Set Boundaries in Your Relationships?
It’s great to see other people get what or where they want to be in life. And it’s even better knowing you’ve helped them get there. But not at the cost of your own wellbeing.
If you spend all of your time, and use all of your energy on other people, what’s left for you? At the end of each day, when you’re exhausted, both physically and mentally from aiding others, where do you fit in?
Quite simply, without being assertive, without setting strong boundaries, and living by then, you don’t. Your wants will become less warranted; your needs less important.
And all because the thought of saying “No” leaves you feeling uneasy.
But why? You should be able to say “Not tonight, sorry” or “I’m busy, maybe another time” without opening up the flood gates of anxiety and guilt. It’s OK to put yourself first.
And this is something that too many people forget, especially in relationships. Whilst it’s great to be there for each other, setting boundaries gives a clear insight as to what is and isn’t OK.
It brings comfort, respect, and understanding, all of which are key elements within a healthy relationship. And guess what? If you’re partner, your friend, or even your family can’t accept your boundaries, then they aren’t accepting you. And that’s not a good place to be.
Now is the time to pull on brave pants and say “No”. No to hindering your life whilst helping others. And no to just doing what everyone else wants or expects.
So let’s get started with these boundaries quotes.
75 Boundaries Quotes About Setting Limits in Your Relationships
- “No is a complete sentence.” – Anne Lamont
- “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brené Brown
- “It is how we create firm boundaries and allow others to know who we are and what we value.” – John Earle
- Accept that setting boundaries with other people is not going to make you popular. Once you set a boundary, stand by it. Remain strong in the truth that by setting boundaries against mistreatment, you are aligning with the higher, positive, and loving way of living.” – Unknown
- “Boundaries need to be communicated first verbally and then with actions.” – Henry Cloud
- “Setting emotional boundaries prevent people from manipulating you, using you, and playing with your feelings.” – Remez Sasson
- “Lack of boundaries invites lack of respect.” – Unknown
- “Boundaries represent awareness, knowing what the limits are and then respecting those limits.” – David W. Earle
- “Boundaries are, in simple terms, the recognition of personal space.” – Asa Don Brown
- “Speak in your own voice about the things that matter to you.” – Marty Rubin
- “I’m very clear with my boundaries…I hope I do influence other women to set better boundaries for themselves,” – Amy Schumer
- “Saying NO can be the most empowering word if you struggle with codependency, abusive relationships or low self-esteem.” – Unknown
- “Families living in dysfunction seldom have healthy boundaries. Dysfunctional families have trouble knowing where they stop and others begin.” – David W. Earle
- “Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” – Anna Taylor
- “Be honest with who you are, what you want and how you want to be treated. Boundaries only scare off the people that were not meant to be in your life.” – Shannon L. Alder
- “Power for me is ‘no.’ That’s when you know your worth, when you know your value. And that’s power for me.” – Taraji P. Henson
- “Whatever you are willing to put up with is exactly what you will get.” – Unknown
- “There are reasons to set boundaries for yourself, but there are also reasons to keep doors open” – Ashley Graham
- “You can be a good person with a kind heart and still say NO to people.” – Unknown
- “Setting boundaries is your responsibility. People will continue to do what you allow. You get to decide what is and what isn’t allowed in your life.” – Unknown
- “You create your mental boundaries, your mental walls, but you can free yourself, and soar high, beyond your beliefs, your thoughts and your mental attachments.” – Remez Sasson
- “If you’re offended by my boundaries, then you’re probably one of the reasons I need them.” – Steve Maraboli
- “The only people who get upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who were benefiting from you having none.” – Unknown
- “People who violate your boundaries are thieves. They steal time that doesn’t belong to them.” – Elizabeth Grace Saunders
- “You get what you tolerate.” – Henry Cloud
- “Individuals set boundaries to feel safe, respected, and heard.” – Pamela Cummins
- “No one will listen to us until we listen to ourselves.” – Marianne Williamson
- “When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated.” – Brene Brow
- “Boundaries are easier to manage when your values are well-defined.” – Joe Jordan
- “Healthy boundaries are important, but you may be building a brick wall when a picket fence would do.” – Amy Dickinson
- “When you set personal boundaries you feel stronger as you act on your boundaries.” – Unknown
- “Make good boundaries your goal. They are your right, your responsibility, your greatest source of dignity.” – Elaine N. Aron
- “Healthy boundaries are not walls. They are gates and fences that allow you to enjoy the beauty of your own garden.” – Lydia Hall
- “Givers need to set limits because takers rarely do.” – Rachel Wolchin
- “A lack of boundaries invites a lack of respect.” – Unknown
- “You best teach others about healthy boundaries by enforcing yours.” – Bryant McGill
- “Power for me is ‘no.' That's when you know your worth, when you know your value. And that's power for me.” – Taraji P. Henson
- “Setting boundaries is a way of caring for myself. It doesn’t make me mean, selfish, or uncaring just because I don’t do things your way. I care about me, too.” – Christine Morgan
- “Emotional self-defense… When you set healthier relationship standards in your life, some people will take it personally. That’s their issue, not yours. The distance isn’t against them; it’s for you. It’s a boundary, not a grudge.” – Steve Maraboli
- “To me, self-care does not mean going to the spa. It's learning to say no.” – Tracee Ellis Ross
- “A healthy boundary is one where each person understands that they have their own thoughts and feelings and can maintain a curiosity about the other person's thoughts and feelings without making assumptions.” – MacMillan
- “It is necessary, and even vital, to set standards for your life and the people you allow in it.” – Mandy Hale
- “Poisonous relationships cloud your vision. I wasted a lot of time adjusting my personal boundaries and justifying disrespect when it would have been so much easier (and a lot less painful) to simply adjust my life to their absence.” – Steve Maraboli
Poisonous relationships cloud your vision. I wasted a lot of time adjusting my personal boundaries and justifying disrespect when it would have been so much easier (and a lot less painful) to simply adjust my life to their absence.” – Steve Maraboli
- “When someone oversteps your boundaries, they’re letting you know that what you want doesn’t matter.” – Phil Good
- “You are not too nice. You are just too afraid to say no and honor your boundaries.” – Xavier Dagba
- “Boundaries protect the things that are of value to you. They keep you in alignment with what you have decided you want in life. That means the key to good boundaries is knowing what you want.” – Adelyn Birch
- “I’ve gotten much better at saying ‘no’, setting boundaries, and stating my own needs.” – Unknown
- “Boundaries were necessary for a successful relationship. Most relationships aborted in the boundary defining stage. Not because people demanded what they needed. But because they didn’t, then got resentful about it.” – Karen Marie Moning
- “Personal boundaries, if you feel comfortable saying something about yourself and you say it, and someone doesn’t like it, that’s their problem. Don’t let who you are be up for debate.” – Jenna Ryan
- “In order to thrive and be successful, you have to be able to set boundaries.” – Oprah Winfrey
- “You have the right to say ‘No’ without feeling guilty.” – Manuel J. Smith
- “I set boundaries not to offend you but to respect myself.” – Unknown
- “Being able to say “No” is a necessary ingredient in a healthy lifestyle.” – David W. Earle
- “Set and enforce your personal boundaries.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie
- “Boundaries aren't all bad.” – Unknown
- “Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious and you get to decide how you use them. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” – Anna Taylor
- “The hardest part about setting boundaries with people, no matter who they are, is not feeling confident in our authority to do so. As long as you realize that setting boundaries is necessary for healthy relationships, you will feel better defining and keeping them.” – Tamera Mowry-Housley
- “When you say ‘yes’ to others, make sure you’re not saying ‘no’ to yourself.” – Paul Coelho
- “Boundaries are a part of self-care. They are healthy, normal, and necessary.” – Doreen Virtue
- “Stop allowing people to disrespect your right to say no and enforce boundaries as a form of self-care…” – Tasha McCray
- “Evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of any relationship is your responsibility. You do not have to passively accept what is brought to you. You can choose.” – Deborah Day
- “Create boundaries. Honor your limits. Say no. Take a break. Let go. Stay grounded. Nurture your body. Love your vulnerability. And if all else fails, breathe deeply.” – Aletheia Luna
- “People who violate or cross your boundaries by being cruel, insensitive, thoughtless, abusive, rude or disrespectful should not be a part of your life. You deserve love, dignity and respect. People who willingly and knowingly cross boundaries have mental issues that need to be dealt with.” – Unknown
- “Stop asking why they keep doing it and start asking why you keep allowing it.” – Unknown
- “It feels great to be connected to people, but having boundaries is so important.” – Selena Gomez
- “Emotional self-defense is an act of WISDOM. Building personal boundaries is an act of STRENGTH. Anyone who tells you differently is often the reason we need both.” – Steve Maraboli
- “If you have to ask to be treated right, you are around the wrong people. On the other hand, if you allow this behavior to enter into the relationship from the start, it can and will continue, and will be very difficult to change up later. Set your boundaries sooner than later.” – Christine E. Szymanski
- “Boundary setting helps you prioritize your needs over other people’s wants.” – Lauren Kenson
- “I swear to God, the second I learned how to say ‘no,' I felt that was the best anti-aging I could do for myself.” – Gabrielle Union
- “Walls keep everybody out. Boundaries teach them where the door is.” – Mark Groves
- “Guard your heart, mind and time. Those three things will determine the health of everything else in your life.” – Andrena Sawyer
- “Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of your identity and your right to choices.” – Gerard Manley Hopkins
- “Honoring your own boundaries is the clearest message to others to honor them, too.” – Gina Greenlee
- “Each time you set a healthy boundary, you say ‘yes’ to more freedom.” – Nancy Levin
- “Having healthy boundaries not only requires being able to say “no”, but also being willing and able to enforce that “no” when necessary.” – Jessica Moore
Final Thoughts on Setting Boundaries
Whilst setting boundaries may feel like a daunting task, it’s an important part of self-care. You are defining what is and isn’t OK. And you are outlining how you expect others to treat you.
Take some time to work on your own boundaries and remember, that this is about you and not what other people want. Try using these short, positive affirmations and start working on a more self-assertive you.
And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 73 Overcoming Insecurities Quotes for a Confident 2023
- 53 Envy Quotes To Stop Worrying About Other People
- 57 Self-Control Quotes to Master Your Emotions
Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.
Rebel Jones has been writing from a young age. She first used poetry to organise words – the rhythm and flow brought peace to her chaos. But as she developed (both as a person and as a writer), she embraced her offbeat thought process and found her own style and tone. Writing is definitely her happy place and one that she’s happy to share with the world.
