Many of us have become a lot more intentional about protecting our mental wellbeing, and honestly it’s about time.

Boundaries used to feel like something only therapists talked about. Now they come up in everyday business conversations especially when the calendar’s overflowing, your inbox won’t quit, and you can’t remember the last time you logged off without guilt.

From what I’ve seen (and lived), when boundaries start to blur in business, it’s rarely just one area. It’s the overbooked weeks, the scope creep, the client DMs at 10pm… and sometimes, it’s your website that still says “Sure, I’m available” when you’re anything but.

Your boundaries and your digital presence often reflect the same truth: you’ve grown, but you haven’t made space for that growth yet and things begin feeling sticky. You say yes when you want to say no, take on too much, put off updating your website even though it’s out-of-date. You’re still operating in ways that made sense two years ago, but not anymore, and the disconnect starts to drain you.

As someone who has been setting boundaries since day one, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that it’s always easy to stick to them, because it’s not. Sometimes the boundaries you set might feel uncomfortable or easy to ignore, but the key thing to remember is that these seemingly small practices can literally transform the way you work.

Systems and boundaries are the cornerstones for creating a sustainable business that doesn’t burn you out. Here’s how to start shifting yours so your energy, time, and online presence start working with you, not against you.

Know when to clock out (and let your website work while you rest)

Wave goodbye to the 7am commuter train; when you work for yourself it’s up to you to decide your working hours (woo!), but that also means knowing when it’s time to clock out. For me, working late is an absolute no - my evenings are about winding down and giving my brain time to digest the day ready for tomorrow. For others, working late is their dream time to get things rolling in their business - it’s all subjective to how you work best.

It’s tempting to tinker with your website at 11pm, reply to one more client request, or squeeze in an extra call at times outside of your usual working hours, but creativity needs space. Boundaries around your time aren’t just good for your nervous system, they make your work better.

That’s why I design websites that do heavy lifting for you: answering common questions, guiding potential clients to your services, helping you book dream projects without having to be “on” 24/7. When your website is functioning in a way that supports you, you can log off without guilt.

Don’t give out your digits (your energy deserves a filter)

You’re not dating your clients (at least, I hope not), so why should they be able to contact you anytime of the day or night? You’re not available on demand, and your clients shouldn’t expect you to be. (And if they do, that’s another convo.)

Whether you’re coaching, facilitating or consulting, you deserve clear channels for communication. I recommend setting up containers like email, a client portal, or shared doc - not your personal WhatsApp or IG DMs, and ensure your clients are reminded about these spaces regularly.

Don’t give out your phone number unless you absolutely need to - trust me! Forget about what others might be doing and how they’re contacting their clients, and focus on what’s best for YOU.

Plan your capacity like a grown business, not a chaotic one

Being intentional about your time and income means you stop saying yes to absolutely everything (including the things you don’t really want to do). At the start of every quarter, I check in:

What’s my project capacity?
What offers feel aligned that I want to promote?
What needs to shift to keep things sustainable?
Is my pricing reflective of the value my clients get?

Planning gives you control, and in order to set solid boundaries, you need to be clear on where you’re at when it comes to your time and finances. This clarity makes it easier to raise your rates, streamline your offers, and say, “This isn’t a good fit right now.”

Plus when you’ve got a website that clearly articulates your values, processes and capacity, it does some of that screening for you; people self-select, the wrong fits opt out and the right ones lean in.

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Once you’ve set your boundaries, the hard part begins: actually sticking to them. It’s not always easy, but here’s how you can up your chances of maintaining your boundaries.

Keep practising

The more you do it, the easier it gets - it’s like second nature to me now! Keep flexing the boundary muscle, be honest and transparent with your clients often, keep yourself accountable and stick to your guns. Work through the discomfort that may arise when you have to say no to someone - because after all, how can we expect others to respect our boundaries when we don’t respect them ourselves?

Communicate your boundaries early, often, and kindly

Any time there’s been an issue during a client project, I’ve had to remind myself: I can’t expect people to respect boundaries I never clearly set.

Your clients should know standard working etiquette (if we’re honest, some of them seemingly don’t) but it’s your job to communicate your boundaries when you start working together. Set out your ‘rules’ in your intro meeting, and discuss how they can communicate with you when they need to. Let them know how you will and won’t be available, and that they can expect replies to emails within X hours.

This can all be communicated on your website before people book in with you, too. If you haven’t updated your contact page since 2023, or you’re still leading with offers you no longer want to sell, you’re inviting confusion. Your digital presence is setting expectations whether you realise it or not.

A well-designed, up-to-date website says: “Here’s how I work. Here’s what I’m available for. Here’s how to connect.” Clear is kind!

If you’re going through an especially busy patch, reach out and let your clients know so that they’re not left hanging. And if you notice your clients ignoring or pushing your boundaries, don’t be scared to re-communicate them - remind them they’re there for a reason.

Your boundaries aren’t barriers, they’re bridges

It’s easy to think of boundaries as something rigid. A line in the sand, a big “no.” But for most business owners I know, boundaries are less about restriction and more about protection.

You’re protecting your time so you can show up fully for the work that lights you up. You’re protecting your energy so you can serve your clients without burning out. You’re protecting the version of your business you’re building, not the one you’ve outgrown.

Try and find a way to communicate your boundaries to your clients in a way that shows them how it benefits them too, for example, “Please can you send me this via email as things often get lost in my DMs” or, “I can’t take on this project at the moment as I don’t have the capacity or energy to give it the attention the project deserves”.

It’s honestly better for everyone when you stick to your boundaries.

When you have that kind of space, everything flows more smoothly including the way you communicate, collaborate, and show up online. That’s what this work is really about. Not just getting your calendar under control, but building a business that honours your pace, your process, and your people.

When your business evolves, your boundaries should too

The goal with setting boundaries isn’t to wall yourself off. They’re a form of self-respect. A way of saying, “I take my work seriously and I take care of myself too.”

If you’ve been feeling the itch to shift things… to pause, recalibrate, or finally create more spaciousness in how you work - trust that nudge as your energy is worth protecting. Your work is worth designing a business that actually supports it.

And if your website is part of what needs to shift, I can help with that.
→ Book a Rerooting Session to get strategic support on what’s next
→ Explore The Catalyst if you’re ready for a full design experience
→ Or start small with a VIP Design Day to finally tick off that overdue list

Whatever you choose, I hope this gives you permission to draw the line, reclaim your time, and build a business that feels better to be inside of.