Your boundaries:
Are not:
Up for debate.
Negotiable.
Optional.
They're:
Requirements.
What Happens When You Negotiate
You teach people:
Your boundaries:
Are suggestions.
Not:
Actual limits.
They'll keep:
- Pushing
- Testing
- Crossing
- Asking for "just this once"
Until:
You hold firm.
How People Test Boundaries
"Just this once"
Making it seem:
Unreasonable:
To hold the boundary.
"You're being too rigid"
Making YOU:
The problem.
"I thought you cared about me"
Guilting you:
Into dropping it.
Slowly crossing it
Testing:
If you'll notice.
If you'll enforce.
What to Do
State it once.
Hold it consistently.
Don't:
- Explain endlessly
- Defend it
- Negotiate
- Make exceptions
Just:
Enforce it.
People who respect you:
Will respect:
Your boundaries.
People who don't:
Will leave.
Good.
About 4Angles: Your boundaries aren't negotiable—they're requirements. People who respect you won't push them. Those who do? Let them leave.
Last updated: November 2, 2025