How to Set Boundaries with Toxic People (2023)

It isnt easy to set boundaries with toxic people, but its something we can all learn to do and when we do, its empowering.

Boundaries are a way to take care of ourselves. When we set boundaries, were less angry and resentful because our needs are getting met. Boundaries make our expectations clear, so others know what to expect from us and how we want to be treated. Boundaries are the foundation of happy, healthy relationships.

Ideally, people will respect our boundaries when we communicate them clearly. But we all know that some people will do everything they can to resist our efforts to set boundaries; they will argue, blame, ignore, manipulate, threaten, or physically hurt us. And while we cant prevent people from acting like this, we can learn to set clear boundaries and take care of ourselves.

Learning to set boundaries

There are three parts to setting boundaries.

1. Identify your boundaries. Be clear about what you need before trying to communicate or enforce the boundary.
2. Communicate your boundaries or expectations clearly, calmly, and consistently. Stick to the facts without overexplaining, blaming, or becoming defensive. For example, its more effective to say Im calling a cab. Im not getting in the car with you when youve been drinking, than to lose your temper and say I cant believe youre going to drive home after youve been drinking all night! Every time we go out, its the same thing. Im not going to take it anymore! And if youre making a request, be specific so that you both know exactly what youre agreeing to.
3. If your boundaries arent respected, evaluate your options and take action.

This article will focus on the third step what we can do when our boundaries arent respected.

Who are toxic people?

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Toxic people can be family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. They ooze negative energy and leave us feeling worse whenever were around them. If we tune into our instincts, we usually know when someone is toxic and not healthy to be around. However, toxic people can be manipulative and charming (a dangerous mix) and often try to convince us that they aren’t mistreating us or that we are troubled, unreasonable, confused, and are to blame for their behavior.

Below is a list of common characteristics of toxic people, which can help you identify toxic people in your life.

• Lie frequently
• Dont respect your boundaries
• Manipulate you to get what they want
• Dont consider other peoples feelings or needs
• Feel entitled
• Rarely apologize and if they do, its shallow, coerced, or fake
• Blame others and dont take responsibility for their actions
• Drain your energy
• Have a lot of drama or problems, but dont want to change
• Think the rules dont apply to them
• Talk, but dont listen
• Criticize
• Overreact
• Invalidate or ignore your feelings
• Undermine your relationship with your spouse, kids, or other relatives
• Use passive-aggressive behavior (such as the silent treatment, deliberate procrastination, forgetting, or criticism disguised as a compliment)
• Gaslight (a powerful form of manipulation that makes you doubt your perception of whats going on)
• Refuse to compromise
• Yell, curse, or call you names
• Make unreasonable demands
• Expect you to help them, but they arent available to help you
• Ruin holidays and special occasions
• Create so much stress, anxiety, and pain that your health, ability to work, or general wellbeing are negatively impacted
• Interacting with them makes you feel worse
• They are always right (and you are always wrong)
• Lack genuine concern or interest in you and your life
• Have volatile or unpredictable moods and behaviors
• May become physically aggressive
• Belittle your values, beliefs, choices
• Gossip or speak ill of you behind your back
• Have temper tantrums or fits of rage when they don’t get what they want

What if someone wont respect your boundaries?

Setting boundaries is an ongoing process and there isnt a quick fix for dealing with boundary violators. The bottom line is that we cant make people respect our boundaries, but we can control how we respond. The following ideas can help you choose the best approach for dealing with chronic boundary violators.

Decide whether this boundary is negotiable.

Some boundaries are more important than others. Identifying what youre willing to accept and what you consider intolerable or non-negotiable will help you decide if youre willing to compromise. Compromise can be a good thing if both people are adjusting. However, true compromise isnt abandoning your needs to please someone else or accepting treatment that you consider a deal-breaker. If someone repeatedly violates your most important boundaries, you have to ask yourself how long youre willing to accept such treatment. Ive seen people accept disrespect and abuse for years and years, hoping a toxic person will change only to look back in hindsight and see that this person had no intention of changing or respecting boundaries.

Write down whats happening.

Record the boundary violations and your responses. This will help you check for weak spots in your boundaries. Its hard to repeatedly set the same boundary with someone who isnt listening and often we start to give in and become inconsistent with our boundaries. If you notice that you arent consistently setting healthy boundaries, make adjustments. And if you are being consistent, writing things down can help you get clarity about what youre willing to accept and how you feel about it.

Accept that some people will not respect your boundaries no matter what you do.

This is a difficult truth to accept because wed like to be able to convince people to respect our boundaries. I know its disappointing to realize that you may need to decide whether you want to continue to have a relationship with this person. But you cant change someone elses behavior. You can choose to accept it or you can choose to disengage.

Practice loving detachment.

Detaching is a shift away from trying to control people and situations. When youre in a state of fear, its understandable that you want to control things to protect yourself. But trying to control other people never works. When we detach, we stop trying to change others and force the outcome that we want. You can detach from a narcissistic or toxic person by:

• Physically leaving a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.
• Responding differently. For example, instead of taking something personally or yelling, we can shrug off a rude comment or make a joke of it. This changes the dynamics of the interaction.
• Declining invitations to spend time with them.
• Letting them make their own decisions and deal with the consequences of those choices.
• Not giving unsolicited advice.
• Choosing not to participate in the same old arguments or taking space away from an unproductive conversation or argument.

Detaching doesnt mean you dont care about this person, it means youre taking care of yourself and being realistic about what you can do in each situation.

Consider limiting contact or going no-contact.

Sometimes the only way to protect yourself is to stop associating with toxic people who dont respect you. Limited or no-contact isnt intended to punish or manipulate others, its a form of self-care. If someone is hurting you physically or emotionally, you owe it to yourself to put some distance between you and this person. Despite what others may say, you dont have to have a relationship with family members or anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself. Family and friends should lift you up and support you, not leave you depressed, anxious, angry, or confused.

Follow through on consequences.

Boundaries shouldn’t be idle threats. Nor should they be a way to punish or control someone else. (Remember, boundaries are a way to take care of yourself.) However, there are consequences to violating someone’s boundaries. The consequences may be some of the things we’ve already discussed such as limiting contact or leaving the room. In other situations, the consequence might be calling the police or speaking to your supervisor or human resources department about a boundary issue at work. The consequence could also be simply letting someone experience the natural consequences of their actions, such as getting a DUI if they drive drunk.

Get support.

You dont have to go through this difficult experience alone. I encourage you to reach out for support from friends, family members, your religious community, or others. A therapist or support group (such as Codependents Anonymous) can also be an important part of healing and sorting through your feelings and options, especially if shame or embarrassment makes it hard to talk to your friends about how this toxic person has been treating you.

You have choices

One of the great things about being an adult is that you have choices. You dont have to continue to be friends with someone who takes advantage of your kindness or work for someone who criticizes and belittles you non-stop or stay in a romantic relationship with someone who gaslights you.

We all have choices — sometimes we dont like particularly like any of them, but its important to know that we have them. We arent trapped or powerless.

Choosing to end relationships (even abusive relationships) is painful. And for practical reasons, you may not be able to end a toxic relationship right this second. But you can look for a new job or stay with a friend or at a shelter in order to eventually free yourself from a person who hurts you physically and/or emotionally.

If were honest, sometimes were just not ready to go no-contact or end a relationship even though deep inside we know its unhealthy to continue. If this is the case, you can: 1) Identify your choices (such as detaching physically and emotionally, limiting contact, avoiding being alone with the person, practicing self-care); 2) Choose the best option (none may be ideal); 3) Respect yourself; 4) And trust your instincts.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Sometimes others will be angry or offended by your choices even though you arent setting boundaries to be mean or difficult and sometimes you cannot continue to have these people in your life. Boundaries are a way to protect yourself from harm and maintain your autonomy and individuality. These are priceless gifts that you deserve to give yourself.

Learn more

Finding Emotional Freedom After a Toxic Relationship

It’s OK to Cut Ties with a Toxic Family Member

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2020 Sharon Martin, LCSW. Adapted from an article originally written for NarcissisticAbuseSupport.com Photo by domeckopo from Pixabay