"They never give me what I want!"

Alex and Taylor both feel there's a growing emotional distance between them. In the early stages of their relationship there was deep affection, tenderness, and passion.

However, lately, there has been a shift. Alex longs for affectionate gestures like hugs, kisses, and emotional closeness. Taylor desires a more passionate and intimate connection in their physical relationship.

What Alex and Taylor are going through is quite common for many people in a relationship. Setting boundaries is a way to work on this in a positive way.

By voicing how you want to be treated, what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour, and what personal space and autonomy mean to you. It is a proactive and assertive approach to ensure your emotional, physical, and mental well-being is respected and maintained.

It is important to be gentle and create a supportive environment where everyone involved feels valued and respected. A space where everyone feels heard and supported, to prevent the accumulation of resentment.

5 practical cues that demonstrate how to set boundaries

1. Identify Triggers: "When I perceive a lack of affection/intimacy, it triggers feelings of loneliness and a sense of disconnection."

   
   

2. Use "I" Statements: "I feel a stronger connection when we share physical affection/intimacy and it's important to me for our emotional bond."

   
   

3. Prioritise Key Areas: "Affection/intimacy is a key aspect of feeling secure in our relationship. Let's prioritise this to strengthen our emotional connection."

   
   

4. Establish Consequences: "If our affectionate moments/physical intimacy are/is consistently limited, I may start feeling disconnected, and it could impact our overall relationship satisfaction, and I want us to address this together."

   
   

5. Regularly Review and Adjust: "As our lives evolve, let's regularly check in to make sure our emotional and physical needs are being met. We can adjust our approach if necessary."

Actionable relationship tip

What is something you struggle with and could use some boundary setting?

Give the cues above a go and see if they help your situation.

If you feel you need support with navigating boundary setting, or any other challenging aspect of your relationship, feel free to reach out and we can schedule a session to go over it together.