With 2026 in full swing, the classic scramble is on: everyone’s racing to list down their New Year’s resolutions. Setting boundaries is always a staple on our lists, but actually drawing the line? That’s a different story. If you’re serious about keeping toxicity and negativity at bay, there are ways to do it without leaving you feeling resentful later.

1. Be clear with your non-negotiables

Non-negotiables are the things you value and expect from yourself and the people around you. Perhaps you don’t like going out on the weekends. Or maybe, large gatherings exhaust you. List all your non-negotiables and stick to them. That way, it’s easier to communicate your boundaries and help people understand their importance.

2. Start small

Setting boundaries is one of the growing pains of adulting—and spoiler alert: it only gets harder from here. You don’t have to do anything drastic (yet) to show you’re evolving. Start small, and make room for slip-ups because that’s exactly how you find your footing.

3. Learn the difference between “requests” and “demands”

Remember: A request leaves room for a no, while a demand feels like an ultimatum in disguise. Knowing the difference between them and the person’s intent helps you protect your peace without guilt.

4. Practice the “pause” rule

Surely you’ve said ‘yes’ to something—due to pressure—before your brain got the chance to process what it actually entailed. That ends now. Or at least, that’s what the “pause” rule offers.

Whether it’s a party invitation or a reunion with high school classmates you haven’t seen in years, give yourself at least 24 hours to decide if you actually want to say yes. You owe it to yourself and to the people who were kind enough to reach out for an honest answer.

5. Don’t “overexplain”

Saying no should never feel like a chore. No is already a complete sentence. The moment you “overexplain” yourself, you’re giving people enough ammo to slice, dice, and mince your boundaries so you can say yes. If you aren’t interested, you aren’t interested.

6. Ditch that people-pleasing attitude

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’ll say it anyway: whatever you say, even with the purest intentions, people will always find something to nitpick. The good news? The earth will still spin on its axis—and you should keep right on moving. You can be understanding and supportive, but it’s not your responsibility to fix every problem that comes knocking at your door.

7. Free yourself from the weight of their reactions

You said ‘no’ (with a valid reason), and they got upset. Now, what? You can say sorry, but it shouldn’t sound like you’re disregarding the boundaries you just set. It’s 2026, and we should stop apologizing for having limits.

8. Respect others’ boundaries, too

Your boundaries are as important as everyone else’s. Respect is a two-way street. If your request or invitation gets declined, even without a clear explanation, always try to keep an open mind, just as you would want them to do for you.