Being a teenager can be rough for many of us, as we constantly grapple with new experiences, emotions, and challenges. As a teenager, I sometimes struggle to find the perfect balance between my happiness and school work. As I juggle between classes, extracurriculars, and maintaining a good social life, I wish that I could press pause and take time to reflect on my past experiences and use those learnings to develop habits that can help alleviate stress.

I have found that setting healthy boundaries is a good first step that teenagers can think about to start taking control of their own lives and navigating their experiences in a safe and healthy manner.

What are healthy boundaries?

They are essentially your own book of guidelines and rules established to protect yourself from people, emotions, and experiences that make you feel uncomfortable, anxious, or stressed. You are the writer of your own destiny, and the boundaries you set allow you to define your limits and protect your emotional and physical well-being! As adolescents, we engage with new faces every day— and it can be extremely overstimulating and exhausting to navigate through these interactions and manage expectations while prioritizing our own needs. Healthy boundaries are essential to ensure the safety of these interactions.

Healthy boundaries allow us to express ourselves without the fear of judgment, develop open mindsets to new perspectives, balance our commitments in a well-rounded manner, and even give us the power to say “no”. 

Setting boundaries through art

Art can be used not only as a visually appealing creation but as a way to establish healthy boundaries. By engaging in the following art activity, teenagers will be able to put their minds at ease rather than strain and understand their limits.

Art Activity: Collage of Boundaries

Goal: Make a collage of things that represent your boundaries. 

Materials needed:

• Notebook/Scrapbook

• Scissors

• Glue sticks

• Printed Images

• Markers, Colored Pencils

• Ruler

⭐️ Tip: Try thinking of any metaphorical objects that represent your boundaries. For example, a fence could represent your personal space.

1. Start by cutting out images or drawing pictures of important objects or experiences you think resonate with your emotional and physical boundaries. Arrange these images in any creative format and decorate the corners of your scrapbook. 

2. Color code your boundaries. Take a green marker and highlight images that you believe represent healthy boundaries. Use red for unhealthy ones and yellow for anything in between. 

3. Take time to self-reflect on your collage and think about the boundaries you illustrated.

Communicate your needs and be confident

An extra step to take is to talk to a loved one or someone close to you about your collage. Use “I” statement to convey your emotions and establish your boundaries confidently. After talking to someone, if you are inspired to change your collage, feel free to do so!