Hands Off!
No touching, please.
Nope, I'm not a hugger or a casual cheek kisser. I don't like it and I have my own reasons for setting down this boundary. I'm polite when I take a step back from the group body smashing. I smile and wave when I meet people and offer a “Hello” to offer my introduction instead of free access to my body. I am just one of those people who aren't comfortable with it and that's okay!
Setting personal boundaries for yourself is an expression of your self and a clear place where you begin and the other person ends. I think of my space bubble like a good backyard fence and my Gram always said “Good fences make good neighbors.”
I'm not RUDE, I'm just not a hugger
I didn't grow up in a hug-friendly world. And I don't judge people who did. I am very comfortable with my boundaries of personal space but recently I've been called out in public for being rude or actually forced to make physical contact because it pleases other people.
It's a very uncomfortable thing for me. Men used to be comfortable with a handshake, but now cross the personal lines to assume that full-body personal contact is better. It's not.
And I'm not sexist about hugging. I am fine with a fist bump from women or men, even better when I don't force children to exchange this uncomfortable situation that they also don't want to do… fist bumps are fine. I even have one friend that has adapted to a hip bump in a friendly exchange. That's even funny!
However, when did it become fine to call out someone for not being a hugger? Can't we all just respect that everyone has their own personal boundaries and not call them out for being an ice-queen or rude bitch?
My whole life I've been pressured to allow access into my personal space, even though the thought of it often brings me to tears or even has caused me to avoid attending certain events.
People who aren't huggers are often forced to question themselves and told they aren't “normal”.
Teaching Body Autonomy
Special Exceptions
Yes, there are special exceptions to my anti-hugging world. Children, grieving people, and times of tragedy have special excuses. I'm not an Ice Queen, I love physical contact when it's wanted by both parties!
My own grown children have always known I'm not the hugging Mom, but they also know that I am always there for them and I welcome them… with open arms.
“Watch Out! She's not a hugger!”
I don't have a personality flaw. I'm not rude or unkind. And I shouldn't be shamed for wanting personal privacy and neither should anyone else. If you know someone struggles with this, be kind and support their special needs.
I know that because of my history of abuse and trauma, I am selective about who I am intimate with. I can still be friends without allowing access to my body. In fact, I am even warmer when I haven't been made uncomfortable. I have a hard time moving past the screaming in my head after being forced into these interactions. I want you to have a great time, and I hope you want the same for me.
So that's it! These are my personal boundaries and I hope that this helps huggers understand non-huggers a little more!
Discover Your Own Boundaries
I had a wonderful therapist, Eric, who challenged me to be clear with my boundaries. I spent a long time, fighting anxiety and PTSD. Through therapy, I realized that unless I could set clear boundaries for myself and for others I realized I couldn't proceed with healing and moving forward.
Your needs are just as important as anyone else! If you don't feel comfortable hugging, then don't! You deserve to feel good!
I share a lot of my stories and struggles with all of you because my hope is that by sharing my truths, I will help one other person to see that they are not alone in how they feel. I want to be that one flashing firefly when you need someone to tell you that your feelings matter and your story is important.
I want you to know that what makes you different, also makes you worth knowing, worth loving, and brings you together with other fireflies in this dark night.
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