Practice5 min
Core boundary scripts
Simple, complete sentences you can use as they are, or adapt.
These sentences are deliberately short. A boundary doesn't need to be softened with three apologies to be kind — it needs to be clear.
General-purpose scripts
- "I'm not comfortable with that."
- "I need some time before I answer."
- "No, I can't do that."
- "I don't want to discuss this."
- "That doesn't work for me."
- "I hear you, and my answer is still no."
- "I'm going to end the conversation here."
You are allowed to repeat the same sentence more than once if someone doesn't accept your first answer. Repetition is a boundary tool, not rudeness.
You might explore these in your own words — there is no right answer, and stopping partway is completely fine.