Establishing Vital Personal Barriers for Self-Preservation and Authenticity
In today's fast-paced world, maintaining personal boundaries can be a challenge. However, a simple practice known as Me/Not-Me offers a solution for those seeking to feel safer, more stable, and stronger in various situations.
Originally developed by Rev. Connie L. Habash, MA, LMFT, the Me/Not-Me practice was first described in an article to address internal identity conflicts. Though the exact time and place are not specified in publicly available sources, it was developed in a therapeutic context during her clinical practice.
The practice involves imagining a circle of light around oneself, serving as a personal energetic boundary. This boundary declares that the space within it is one's own personal space, excluding anything that is Not-Me. By visualising this circle, one can preserve their sense of self and energy, preventing the tendency to take on emotional content from others.
Emotions are contagious, and they can affect people around them. In situations where someone is exhibiting intense emotions, opinions, or a strong presence, the Me/Not-Me practice can be particularly helpful for codependent individuals and highly sensitive people. It helps in standing more steady and clear in knowing who one truly is, allowing one to respond to relationships more effectively.
The Me/Not-Me practice supports the creation of overt boundaries, such as setting limits. This can be beneficial for those who tend to people-please, have codependent traits, are empaths, or are highly sensitive. By using the practice, one can discern what is really 'you' and what is someone else's influence on you, helping in avoiding being affected by other people's psychological issues.
Moreover, the Me/Not-Me practice clarifies one's own thoughts and feelings, enabling them to deal with incoming energy of other people's mental or emotional stuff more effectively. It helps in separating one's own energy, emotions, and thoughts from others, preventing the tendency to unconsciously take on the stress, attitudes, and perspectives of another.
In conclusion, the Me/Not-Me practice offers a simple yet effective method for declaring and maintaining personal boundaries. By visualising a circle of light around oneself, one can establish a personal energetic boundary that helps in creating emotional distance from others, preserving one's sense of self, and responding to relationships more effectively.
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