Basic consent practice you should do: when someone tells you a boundary or a need, thank them. Healthy relationship dynamics aren’t just about not doing shitty things. You need to actively cultivate a dynamic in which everyone is comfortable articulating boundaries and needs and knowing that those needs will be respected and the boundaries adhered to. Thanking someone for articulating a boundary when we are otherwise told to disregard our boundaries or keep them to ourselves is not only really affirming, it also encourages them to do that in the future, and makes them feel that prioritizing themselves is something others will appreciate rather than be upset by. Because you should respect all that, you should be thankful that someone trusts you enough to speak up, and you should be happy for them. So express those things to them so that routine conversations about boundaries and consent will be a positive experience for them, rather than something anxious, fearful, or negative.
