The concept of boundaries popped up in five separate places in my life recently. The discussion of boundaries came up in three different conversations with friends, then again in a movie I was watching, and then once again in a text message I received from another friend.

I think we all know what boundaries are. A line. A division. But as it relates to our well-being, setting boundaries is a very important way of taking care of our mental health and engaging in self-care.

Boundaries that protect my time and mental well-being are something I have long struggled with. I’ve gotten better with setting and sticking to boundaries and I certainly now know the value of implementing them. I even discovered the reason I struggled with setting boundaries in my personal life for so long. (Work is different for me when it comes to boundaries, I am much better at setting and keeping work boundaries.) I struggle with setting boundaries because I absolutely hate feeling like I am disappointing people.

When I set a boundary to protect my time and must turn down an invite so I can adhere to that boundary, I feel guilty. Even though I know it is the right decision for my stress level. When I set a boundary to protect my sleep needs and choose to leave an event early, I feel like I am disappointing friends even though I know I will be much happier with myself and feel better the next day. Even when I set a boundary about how I am willing to allow myself to be treated and must block someone who is crossing that line, I feel bad. Even though I know it is the right thing to do for my mental health. The examples of my boundary struggles are endless.

It seems that the concept of setting and sticking to healthy boundaries is trying to make its presence known in my life right now. I don’t know why. Maybe to remind me how important boundaries are. Maybe so I know it is on the minds of other people and therefore a sign that I am supposed to share a reminder about boundaries with others. I will go with both.

In this time of our lives when things are chaotic and confusing, it is more valuable than ever to remember the importance of setting and sticking to boundaries. I’d like to remind you that you are capable of setting boundaries for yourself to maintain your sanity, peace, self-esteem, time, and whatever else you want to protect. Set your boundaries and stick to them. Walk away from things that cross your lines. Stand up for yourself. There are hundreds of boundaries we can set, but here are a few suggestions to spur some thought for boundaries in your own life.

Set boundaries to: limit which people are allowed access large amounts of your time; control the amount of sleep you get; give yourself more time to do what you enjoy; limit your intake of negativity from media including social media; limit the power you give to others in how they treat you; limit your friends to a handful of great ones instead of a whole lot of acquaintances; control your spending.

Since dialogue about boundaries has shown up in my life frequently lately, I felt it was a good time to examine my own life and how boundaries were working for me and where I need to keep working at it. I have concluded that I still have some work to do in setting boundaries, but that more work is needed in finding a way to not feel bad when I perceive to have disappointed someone by honoring my boundaries that were set for very good reasons. I also felt it was a fitting time to remind others about the value of boundaries because boundaries can help us get through difficult times and help us with our resilience. Set yourself some boundaries. Stick to them. Honor them. Enjoy the results.

Jackie Krawczak is president of Jackie Krawczak LLC. Her column runs every three weeks on Thursdays. Follow Jackie on Twitter @jkrawczak.