Individual Activity

Visualize Your Boundaries

For this activity, you will visualize your boundaries, and practice verbal and non-verbal boundary setting.

Step One: Reflection 

First, take some time to reflect on your current life situation. Jot down answers to the following questions to help define your boundaries:

What is causing me stress or discomfort right now? 

What do I look forward to each day? 

What do I dread each day? 

Who or what gives me energy? 

Who or what drains me? 

Who or what makes me feel safe, supported, and valued?

Who or what makes me feel unsafe, unsupported and devalued?

Step Two: Inside the Circle 

Draw a large circle on a blank piece of paper.

Inside the circle write everything that makes you feel safe and stress-free.

Step Three: Outside the Circle 

On the outside of the circle, write down anything or anyone that makes you feel stressed, uncomfortable, or unsafe. These are people or situations that are pushing your boundaries and need further attention.

Group Activity

First Part:

For this part of the activity, you will be working in pairs: student A and student B. 

Stand up facing each other while keeping some distance. 

Student A should pick a spot on the floor that you don’t want crossed, and keep the location to yourself. 

When the teacher says ‘go’, your partner (student B) will walk toward you. When they reach the spot you've picked, use your body language to indicate you don’t want them to come any closer.” 

Examples of body gestures: raising one hand, turning your back, walking away, etc. 

When student B sees student A has set their boundary with you, you will respect the boundary and stop walking.

Second Part:

This time, Student A will use their voice in addition to their body language to indicate to their counterparts to stop coming closer. 

Here are some examples of things to say: “stop”, “back off”, or “you’re too close”. 

Third Part:

This time, participants walking toward the boundary-setter (Student A) will continue past the designated stopping point, and Student A practices resetting their boundary using a combination of body language and voice. 

For example, you can use a combination of raising a hand and saying “back off”; turning you back and saying “stop”; or walking away saying, “you’re too close.”