How to Celebrate National Personal Space Day?

What is National Personal Space Day? It is always celebrated on November 30th, and it is a reminder to have physical, emotional, and social boundaries. This day began with Carol Winner in 2019 who is a public health specialist. Remembering one’s boundaries can help you establish a safe, comfortable, and healthy relationship when you are socializing at work, at home, or with acquaintances. There are personal spaces which are time, intimate, personal, social, financial, and public that one must consider when making your boundaries. 

Managing your emotions, stress, and anxieties with self-awareness and knowing how to implement your boundaries can help you think, sense, and behave in a calm manner. Although it is difficult at times, it is a healthy factor for you and for your healing process especially if you are trying to overcome a stressful, negative, and hurtful experience. It is recommended to be respectful and to understand one’s boundaries especially with your partner’s love style and with their love language. As well as understanding and getting to know another person’s boundaries with awareness, observing, and active listening. Being kind, supportive, and understanding to maintain your distance if they tell you in conversations. 

Carol Winner is the founder of For the Love of Peach Foundation which brings awareness of personal space and encouraged social distancing which began before Covid-19. Additionally, maintaining one’s distance when you are sick and not to hug someone when you are sick. Practicing courtesy, respect, and knowing when to decline physical touch is essential when you are feeling sick and when you are healthy. Nonetheless, there are clothing and apparel that brings awareness of personal space without offending and simply spreading the word about having healthy boundaries. Devote this day to speaking about what makes it difficult for you to speak about your boundaries and your struggles with limiting your boundaries when socializing. 

To practice speaking about your boundaries, it is important to do it politely and without offending someone else. Although some may feel offended or feel uncomfortable with maintaining their distance, it is best not to apologize or make excuses or blame yourself for wanting to have those boundaries. Your boundaries might be different than your partner’s boundaries. Make a list or a guideline of what you wish to have to implement the boundaries with your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. However, keep in mind these things that are listed when you are socializing.

1. Communicating what you need in a respectful and courteous manner. 
2. Explain to your partner in your committed relationship about your past experiences and traumas so they can understand your physical boundaries with your love language. 
3. Do not talk about your financial budget, issues, or financial planning unless you have a joint bank account. 
4. Do not make excuses if you need to decline a social event, family gatherings, or office parties. 
5. Think about your time and your time management with your work and family schedules. 
6. Hang a do not disturb sign or a sign on the door to let them know that they need to give your personal space at work or in your bedroom. 
7. Avoid miscommunication, bad attitudes, or bad moods with your family members by telling them your social, emotional, and physical boundaries. 
8. Turn off cell phone notifications from work during your day offs and vacation. 
9. Practice assertiveness and leave a handwritten letter, an email, or a note to let co-workers know you will be on vacation and not to interrupt your vacation days.
10. If you see a door closed from a co-worker's office, always knock on the door, and do not come in unannounced. 
11. Do not visit someone unannounced because it can scare them, surprise them, or make you feel unwelcome, especially if they had planned a romantic day with their partner. 
12. Consider a person's childhood experiences along with their personality and practice cultural knowledge to understand their personal space so you can approach them with courtesy and politeness. 
13. Be aware of how you feel and make lists of personal boundaries for you, for your partner, for your closest friends, and family. 
14. Do not worry or feel preoccupied with what others might think towards you and make a commitment to stick with your boundaries. 
15. Practice using your personal boundaries to reduce unnecessary stress, to reduce work criticism, and to have self-respect. 

Understand that your boundaries are different than others because of one's childhood experiences, cultural expectations, cultural experiences, individual experiences, and experiences of abuse. Be aware that your boundaries might change a person’s mood and attitude towards you, especially if they do not know you. Also, some co-workers or friends might think it does not apply to them regarding your list of boundaries. Continue having a routine and review your boundaries during your self-care with self-reflection. Do not change your boundaries for someone who likes evading, gossiping, and meddling in your personal life. 

Today and every day you can acknowledge and feel comfortable with your personal space. Believe that your boundaries can be a guideline for your mental and physical wellness. As well as making your social contacts to fully understand you to avoid feeling isolated, emotionally distant, or disconnected from you. Nevertheless, achieving understanding can bring you inner peace and strength. Not following your boundaries can make you feel dishonest with yourself and unheard with how you want to be treated by others. 

It can be tough to follow and establish your boundaries especially when some may feel offended, uncomfortable, or feel rejection towards you. Yet, communicating clearly your personal space in a safe and comfortable place can make them understand you better. Yet, it is necessary to express your feelings and how you want to be treated to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretation with your words. If needed, seek professional counseling to help you understand your partner, family members, friends, or to help you understand yourself. Here are resources about setting your personal space and keeping your personal boundaries. 

How to Set Boundaries: 8 Ways to Draw the Line Politely:

How to Set Boundaries: 8 Ways to Draw the Line Politely

Setting Boundaries in Our Social Lives-Psychology Today:

Setting Boundaries in Our Social Lives | Psychology Today

The 6 Types of Healthy Boundaries & How to Set Them-Mind Body Green:

The 6 Types Of Healthy Boundaries & How To Set Them | mindbodygreen

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