Our personal boundaries are decided by common sense, respect and understanding. Although the term "marriage" implies togetherness and the sharing of everything, it's perfectly healthy to maintain a sense of personal privacy. Read some tips to maintain privacy within your marriage.

How can we respect personal correspondence and communications?

• If something is addressed to both of you, read away. If your name isn't on it, leave it alone.
  
  
• Unless you have separate phone numbers, don't grouse about your spouse listening to the messages.
  
  
• There are enough free e-mail services available for anyone to have their own account. If you choose to share one e-mail account, then share it completely.

If your spouse chooses not to share something with you, don't immediately assume there's something to hide. Her reasons might be perfectly innocent. Even as you grow together as a couple, you need to retain a clear sense of yourself.

Should we claim personal space in our home?

• If you have the luxury of extra rooms, choose one. If space is limited, claim a corner.
  
  
• Add your favorite chair, a reading lamp, a small table and shelves with your favorite things on them.
  
  
• Ask your partner to respect that space as yours.

Make sure your spouse has a private space, as well. If you have an extra room, perhaps you can divide it in half, and separate it with a pretty Japanese screen.

Should I do things on my own?

• Join a club. If you love to read and he doesn't, join a neighborhood book club. Meet a group of people who share a common interest, and make new friends.

• Volunteer for an organization. Give back to the community and develop yourself. Volunteering can offer you a fulfilling way to cultivate your interests.

• Have a night out. Go out with the girls or boys for a night once or twice a month. Reconnect with friends, enjoy a rowdy or relaxing night and to just remember the good old days.

Follow your instincts about your spouse's privacy, and consider it more important than your curiosity. Personal space and outside interests will help you to maintain a feeling of independence, as well as help you appreciate sharing space and time with your spouse all the more.