Set Boundaries, Find Peace

A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

by Nedra Glover Tawwab

4.8(10,403 ratings)

9 min read

Brief overview

This book shows how to recognize painful patterns in your life that stem from weak or rigid boundaries and offers practical steps to assert yourself with greater clarity and confidence. You can expect to gain a sense of control over your time and emotional energy while learning to nurture healthier, more balanced relationships.

Introduction

Boundaries often sound intimidating, but they’re simply personal guidelines that define how we interact with others and care for ourselves. Many of us enter relationships without clear boundaries, which leads to stress and resentment.

Too often, we try to keep people happy by saying yes when we want to say no, or by setting no limits at all. The result is burnout, a lack of clarity in our relationships, and feeling overwhelmed. Yet setting healthy limits actually fosters deeper trust and connection.

In these pages, you’ll learn that boundaries are not barriers—they’re bridges to more authentic communication. They’re tools for protecting your mental well-being, preserving time for what truly matters, and creating supportive environments that allow you to flourish.

As you read on, prepare to shift your mindset. Embracing boundaries can feel awkward at first, especially if you’ve spent years pleasing everyone else. But once you see the peace it brings, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Boundaries 101

A boundary is like a personal rule or limit that shows where you end and another person begins. Boundaries protect your physical space, emotions, time, and mental well-being.

Many of our problems—over-commitment, conflict avoidance, or feeling constantly drained—can be traced to boundary issues. We might sacrifice our own needs for others or expect them to magically guess what we need, leading to frustration when that guesswork goes wrong.

Healthy boundaries come in several areas: physical, emotional, mental, sexual, material, and time. Recognizing where a boundary is needed can start with noticing feelings like resentment or overwhelm, which often signal a limit has been crossed.

Boundaries keep the good in and the bad out, much like a gate that stays closed or open at your command.

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What is Set Boundaries, Find Peace about?

“Set Boundaries, Find Peace” provides a hands-on roadmap for establishing healthier relationships and a renewed connection with yourself. Author Nedra Glover Tawwab blends clear explanations with relatable scenarios to demonstrate why boundaries matter in every aspect of life—from family ties and friendships to work responsibilities. By focusing on straightforward communication and mindful self-awareness, the book offers a practical framework for building confidence and emotional resilience.

Throughout these pages, readers learn how to identify signs of weak or rigid boundaries and then employ concrete steps to reclaim their time and mental energy. Tawwab shows that setting effective limits not only guards against burnout but also encourages deeper, more honest connections. If you want to cut through stress and cultivate respect in your personal and professional circles, this guide lays out the path toward lasting peace of mind.

Review of Set Boundaries, Find Peace

A standout feature of “Set Boundaries, Find Peace” is its emphasis on workable strategies. Nedra Glover Tawwab cuts through theory by offering clear scripts, exercises, and real-life examples, making it easier to apply boundary-setting principles in difficult conversations. In each chapter, she highlights how these tools can help tackle everyday issues—like declining extra tasks at work or navigating tense family dynamics—leading to healthier interactions and less emotional drain.

Readers will appreciate Tawwab’s accessible approach, which balances compassion with firm guidance. Instead of lecturing, she encourages self-reflection and consistent follow-through, reinforcing that honesty and assertiveness can be mutually beneficial. Whether you’re an overwhelmed employee or someone rethinking familial obligations, her guidance is helpful and grounded. By book’s end, you’ll feel more equipped to protect your well-being, strengthen your relationships, and step into your life with a sense of calm. It’s well worth a read for anyone seeking a practical, grounded approach to personal growth.

Who should read Set Boundaries, Find Peace?

Professionals who juggle heavy workloads and need realistic ways to prevent burnout
Parents or caregivers who often prioritize others’ needs at the expense of their own
Individuals ready to address codependency or people-pleasing tendencies
Anyone wanting consistent self-care strategies to improve emotional well-being

About the author

Nedra Glover Tawwab is a licensed therapist and social worker with over 15 years of experience in relationship therapy. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, and holds additional certifications in working with families and couples, as well as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Tawwab is the founder and owner of Kaleidoscope Counseling and has appeared as an expert on various media platforms, including "Red Table Talk," "Good Morning America," and "CBS Morning Show." She is also the author of the New York Times bestseller "Set Boundaries, Find Peace," which focuses on helping individuals create healthy relationships by setting and maintaining boundaries.