“Don’t Come In!”: How to Set Physical Boundaries With ZERO Guilt

Let’s talk about space. Not just your “I need a break” kind of space, but your actual physical space — your body, your bedroom, your car, your couch, your bathroom drawer, your cubicle, your purse.

That space is yours. And no matter how loving, friendly, or well-meaning someone is, they are not entitled to it.

What Are Physical Boundaries?

Physical boundaries are about protecting your body, your home, your belongings, and your energy from unwanted physical intrusion or closeness. It’s saying, “This space is sacred — and not everyone gets access to it.”

5 Common Ways People Violate Physical Boundaries

1. Touching you without permission. Whether it’s hugging you when you clearly stepped back, or brushing your hair or clothes because “you had a lint,” unwanted touch is still unwanted.
2. Entering your bedroom without asking. Even family members can cross the line here. “But it’s just your sister” doesn’t mean she gets to barge in.
3. Taking your car without asking. Especially if you’re single and they assume you don’t “need it” that day. Contrary to what they may believe, your car is not community property.
4. Using your things without permission. That perfume, that laptop charger, that sweater you just bought? Still yours…even if they “borrowed” it.
5. Assuming your home is always open. Just because you live alone doesn’t mean you’re the neighborhood drop-in center or 24/7 Walgreens.

Physical boundaries are about protecting your body, your home, your belongings, and your energy from unwanted physical intrusion or closeness. It’s saying, “This space is sacred — and not everyone gets access to it.” Share on X

How It Affects You When Physical Boundaries Are Ignored

When someone repeatedly crosses your physical boundaries, it chips away at your sense of safety, ownership, and autonomy. You start to feel like:

• You don’t really own anything. Your space and things stop feeling like yours. You tiptoe in your own home.
• You’re the “mean” one for having preferences. You question whether it’s selfish to want alone time or privacy.
• You don’t deserve rest. Because someone always “needs” something from you or just assumes you’ll say yes.
• You’re invisible. Your “no” is met with a laugh, a dismissive shrug, or completely ignored. That breeds resentment, even toward people you love.
• You’re on edge. Constantly scanning to see if someone’s going to touch you, come over uninvited, or borrow something without asking again.

It doesn’t just inconvenience you — it can unravel you over time. And the worst part? You may start to believe you’re the problem for wanting space.

But sis — you’re not.

Even Jesus had boundaries. The Bible constantly tells us that Jesus stepped away from crowds to rest and pray (Luke 5:16), kept His inner circle small (Peter, James, and John), and didn’t always say yes right away — not even to those in need (John 11:1–6). That’s not selfish. That’s sacred stewardship.

Even Jesus had boundaries. The Bible constantly tells us that Jesus stepped away from crowds to rest and pray, kept His inner circle small (Peter, James, and John), and didn’t always say yes right away — not even to those in need.… Share on X

Scripts to Set Physical Boundaries

Need help finding the words? Try these:

1. “I’m not a hugger — can we do a wave or fist bump instead?”
2. “Hey, would you please knock before coming into my room. I need that privacy.”
3. “My car isn’t available to borrow — I’m keeping it for myself today.”
4. “I’d prefer if you ask before using my things, even if it seems small.”
5. “I love having you over, but I need advance notice before visitors.”

Need scripts to set physical boundaries or rebuff boundary pushers? Check out this article here… Share on X

Scripts to Rebuff Boundary Pushers

And for those who get pushy or pouty:

• “I understand you’re used to doing it that way, but I need something different now.”
• “It may seem small to you, but it matters to me — and I need you to respect that.”
• “It’s not personal — I’m just honoring what I need to feel safe and comfortable.”
• “‘No’ is a complete sentence, and I’m standing by it.”
• “If respecting my space is a problem, we may need some distance for a while.”

Dealing with the Emotional Aftermath of Setting Boundaries

Now let’s be real for a moment — setting boundaries doesn’t always feel good at first. Even when you know you did the right thing, you may experience:

• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Loneliness/fear of abandonment
• Fear you just started a fight or ruined a relationship
• The bubble guts

This is called emotional reasoning. It’s when your brain says, “I feel bad, so I must have done something bad.” But sis, listen closely:

Feeling guilty is not the same as being guilty.

Let’s say that again for the women in the back: Just because it feels wrong doesn’t mean it is wrong.

The discomfort you feel is growing pain — not moral failure.

Also: yes, people may start to fall off when you start setting boundaries. That doesn’t make you the villain. It means the relationship was built on access you’re no longer offering.

I once heard a quote that said:

“The people who are most upset by your boundaries are the ones who benefited from you not having any.”

Write that down, sis. Seriously. Put it in your Notes app. Stick it on your bathroom mirror. Because you’ll need the reminder when the guilt and second-guessing come creeping in.

Yes, people may start to fall off when you start setting boundaries. That doesn’t make you the villain. It means the relationship was built on access you’re no longer offering. Share on X

And remember: the people who love you well will eventually adjust. They’ll respect you more, not less.

Why Practicing Boundaries Is Worth It

When you honor your physical space:

• You feel safer in your skin and surroundings.
• You teach others how to treat you.
• You reduce anxiety, tension, and resentment.
• You reclaim authority over your body and your peace.
• You make room for relationships based on respect — not access.

Boundaries aren’t barriers to love — they protect it. You’re not being dramatic, rude, or un-Christlike for setting them. You’re being wise. And wise women build their houses (Proverbs 14:1), not hand them over to everyone who knocks.

What’s Next?

Send this post to a sister who’s been struggling to say “no” or feels like her space isn’t hers anymore. Remind her that she doesn’t need permission to protect what God gave her stewardship over.

And I’d love to hear from you. Share a time when someone violated your physical boundary OR a time you stood up for yourself. How did that feel? Drop it in the comments below or message me privately.