Reminder: Some of this information is from https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/boundaries-psychoeducation-printout!
What do you think about when you hear the word intellectual boundary?
When I didn't know what that meant, I thought it would have to do with thinking someone is smart or not... Because intellectual...
Anyway!!
The next boundary we are chatting about is Intellectual boundaries. Intellectual boundaries refer to our thoughts and ideas. Healthy intellectual boundaries include respect for others' ideas, and an awareness of appropriate discussion. Intellectual boundaries are violated when someone dismisses or belittles another person's thoughts or ideas.
Acknowledging that we do not have the same opinions and thoughts as others is important! It can be hard to accept other people's thoughts, especially when they are the complete opposite of ours AND that is ok. It is the way we respond in those moments.
Let's relate back to the closeness of boundaries to this!
What would a porous intellectual boundary look like?
What would a rigid intellectual boundary look like? What would a healthy intellectual boundary look like?
For example, a porous intellectual boundary may be agreeing with everything the other person is saying, whether or not we agree or not.
A rigid intellectual boundary may be refusing to hear any other opinions that do not agree with ours.
Remember!
What is healthy, rigid or porous in our intellectual boundaries (or any type!) depends on your comfort level, the relationship you have with that person, etc. what is healthy for your relationship with your significant other is different from your supervisor at work.
Until next time, for now, let's jump into this week's Therapist Mama Bear tip!
Extra tip: once you think of your intellectual boundaries with them, are they porous, rigid or healthy? If they are rigid or porous, what can you do to move them to the opposite side a bit to make them a little healthier?
