Salva Mubarak Senior Features Writer

Often in the giddy rush of a new relationship, we forget that the most important ingredient to build a long-lasting connection is trust, and that comes from setting clear boundaries.

What might seem like a simple thing is often ignored or overlooked as it’s not considered important enough at the start of a relationship. However, experts have come to believe that setting boundaries, or ‘guardrails’ for a relationship early on is the healthiest way to move forward.

In the era of self awareness and increasingly normalised discussions around mental health, people are more self aware than before about their own issues and boundaries. This is why it’s best to be upfront right at the beginning of the relationship and set ‘guardrails’ to protect your relationship.

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Everything To Know About ‘Guardrailing’ In A Relationship

What is ‘guardrailing’?

This practice of setting boundaries in a relationship has been termed ‘guardrailing’ as it seeks to protect the people in a relationship from going beyond a certain point and damaging the people involved in it. Like in the case of vehicles and people on the road, guardrails are meant to provide a physical boundary that restricts movement beyond a certain point.

In relationships, ‘guardrailing’ can help you establish limits and boundaries to safeguard your own interests and foster a healthier relationship.

Why Is ‘guardrailing’ important?

In relationships, the power dynamic often ends up being skewed, especially if boundaries are not discussed clearly. ‘Guardrailing’ can help ensure that neither of the persons in the relationships is sacrificing their needs for the other. It can prove to be beneficial in building trust and security over time, de-escalate fights, and increase intimacy between you and your partner. It can also prevent your relationship from heading towards a burnout.

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How to practice ‘guardrailing’?

Clear and open communication channels are key for ‘guardrailing’. You need to be able to express your thoughts and opinions to set boundaries with your partner and they should be able to do the same with you. It is also important to be aware of your own boundaries. Open communication channels ensure that these pre-discussed boundaries remain dynamic and adapt as your relationship progresses. You need to set mutual rules and be clear about your expectations from the relationship.