Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Set Healthy Boundaries

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when the easiness of the summer season subsides, and the busyness of fall takes over. Setting boundaries will help you to take control of your life and enable you to be fully present in the beauty of this time. Here is what you need to know about why fall is the perfect time to set daily boundaries, as well as how you can do so.

Importance of Setting Boundaries

Fall is a natural time of transition. The end of the relaxed summer season gives way to more rigid schedules and responsibilities that seem to never end. While this is the time of year when obligations pile up, the transition also ushers in the opportunity to set boundaries.

According to Ciara Bogdanovic, LMFT, psychotherapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and owner and founder of Sagebrush Psychotherapy, “When our schedules get filled, it’s easy to let things like rest, quality time with your partner, and personal hobbies fall to the wayside. This is why it is especially important to be mindful of our boundaries.”

The change in the season is a good reminder to take inventory of your schedule so that you can find ways to reduce stress. Bogdanovic explains that you need clarity about your priorities so that you can decide what is deserving of your time and energy. Establishing what is most important to you will help to guide your decision-making, naturally helping to make that to-do list more manageable.

Bogdanovic recommends that people think of boundaries as a proactive strategy instead of a response. “Setting boundaries isn’t just something we do when there’s a problem, but is also about how we intentionally structure our days to protect our time and energy,” she says.

Tips for Setting Boundaries This Season

The first thing to do after establishing what is important to you is to structure your day with these priorities at the forefront. For instance, if spending time with friends is a goal, pencil that in right away before the week gets away from you. Do not be hesitant to write even the smallest things into your calendar if it means something to you. Even something as simple as setting aside 15 minutes every night to curl up with a good book can help relax you and give you the incentive to get through the day.

There is also no shame in scheduling breaks for yourself. Things such as blocking off time each day to exercise or eating lunch in peace can go a long way in helping you to protect your peace so that you can tackle the tasks that matter to you.

Do not discount the sense of satisfaction that comes with writing a task down and scratching it off your list. While today's technology has made it easier than ever to keep track of your schedule, there is something powerful about taking a pen to paper and writing down your thoughts and goals. Take it one step further by making journaling a part of your regular routine.

Lastly, give yourself the power to say no when you do not have time or simply do not want to do them. Regardless of whether this is a request for help or a social invitation, remind yourself that you do not have to feel guilty for saying no. Along the same vein, you are not weak if you need to ask someone for help.

Bogdanovic reminds her clients that the feeling of being overwhelmed can sneak up on you. “It looks like staying a little longer than we planned, saying yes to a small favor, skipping a break, and then next thing you know you’re in over your head,” she says. “If you stay mindful of your personal boundaries, this time creep is kept at bay, and you protect yourself from becoming overwhelmed.”

Now is the perfect time to be intentional about protecting your time and peace. It is only going to get busier as the holiday season approaches, making it important to put in those protections now. Remember that you cannot be there for family and friends if you are not prioritizing your own sanity. Giving yourself the space and time to meet your own needs will allow you to be fully present in the things that matter the most to you, even as the busyness of life ratchets up in the weeks ahead.

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