11 Subtle (and Not-So-Subtle) Ways Your Loved Ones Are Dismissing Your Boundaries

...and why it hurts so damn much

Let’s start here:
Boundaries are not a betrayal of love.
They are the expression of your needs and goals to thrive, and preserve your relationships with love and respect.

And yet, when we begin to assert them, especially in families or close-knit circles where boundaries were never modeled or even existed, the backlash can feel crushing, condescending, and contemptuous.

Not because you have said or did anything disrespectful to protect your peace.

But because your growth exposes where others have refused to do theirs and you have triggered a pain within him they have yet to accept or heal from.

They feel threatened when someone tries to shift the dynamic.
They feel scared they will have to change.
They feel worried they will lose control.
They feel their needs will be ignored.

Whether it's subtle guilt-tripping or overt dismissal, boundary breaches from loved ones hurt more deeply than most people admit. They desire to have this person in their life so it can be hard to accept the reality of a relative or friend who’s like family could be so harmful to their health. They can leave you wondering:
“Am I being too sensitive?”
“Did I make this a bigger deal than what it needs to be?”
“Do I have a right to feel this upset?”

Let me be clear: You’re not imagining it.
What you’re feeling is real and you have a right to set boundaries.

Here are 11 ways your boundaries might be getting dismissed by the people you love and how to start reclaiming your right to be respected.