Setting a boundary with someone is an attempt to maintain a healthy relationship with them.
Here are 6 things you can say when setting boundaries in your relationship, when you feel your boundaries are being challenged, or when you want to help your partner to understand why a certain boundary is important to you.
"I understand it is hard to adjust to change, but I care about this relationship and would like us to try. What are your feelings around this?"
"I may have allowed that in the past, but my tolerance has changed and I am no longer okay with that."
"I have changed my mind and this is what I need right now."
"Please respect me by honoring this new boundary I am setting."
"My needs and feelings around this are different now."
"This is a new boundary of mine. It is important to me that we understand each other. Can we talk about this together?"
Remember: holding and respecting boundaries is important for every healthy relationship. When someone sets a boundary with you, it is their attempt to continue a relationship with you, not an attempt to hurt you.