How to set boundaries and stick to them, to protect your time and energy

As creatives, we all know boundaries matter. But enforcing them is a different story. Here’s how to go about it.

As creatives, our time and mental energy are our most precious resources. So why do we so often let others plunder them mercilessly?

In truth, it’s because we’re people-pleasers. And that in itself, of course, is a good thing. But unless you establish clear boundaries, your mental and physical resources can quickly deplete, leading to burnout, resentment, and declining work.

Take it from copywriter Denise Strohsahl, who’s had this exact experience. “If two burnouts taught me anything, it was how to set boundaries,” she explains. “One thing is to figure out what you need and be open to a little trial and error. Then, it’s all about communication.”

Remember, boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re necessary safeguards that protect our capacity to consistently deliver our best work.

1. Recognise when boundaries are needed

The first step in setting boundaries is knowing when they’re needed. For example, art and design student Kirsty Hepworth candidly admits, “I am not good at all at setting boundaries, and I have twice come close to burnout… it almost burned me to the point of no return.”

Could the same thing happen to you? Warning signs that burnout is on the way and your boundaries need strengthening urgently include the following.

• Feeling constantly overwhelmed or resentful about client requests
• Working at “silly o’clock” regularly
• Feeling anxious when you see client messages outside work hours
• Struggling to find time for personal projects
• Struggling to find time for proper rest
• Noticing a decline in the quality of your work

2. Build them into relationships

The most effective boundaries are those established at the beginning of any professional relationship. The example of graphic designer and illustrator Nvard Yerkanian is a good one to follow. “I walk clients through my process before we even start,” she says. “I make sure they know what to expect at each stage: what I’ll deliver, when, and how feedback rounds are structured.”

Photo retoucher and creative artworker Sandrine Bascouert takes a similar view. “I always set my expectations from the start of the contract,” she explains. “My hours of business, when people are supposed to receive updates, and so on. I’ve found that when people know what to expect, they don’t even try.”

Here are some key areas to consider when establishing boundaries:

• Your working hours and availability
• Response times for different communication channels
• Your process for handling revision requests
• Payment terms and scope boundaries
• How you handle rush jobs or after-hours requests

3. Communicate them effectively

The way you convey your limits to others can significantly impact how they’re received and respected. Clear communication, then, is essential.

Rather than apologising for your boundaries, present them as part of your professional practice that enables you to deliver excellent work. In other words, frame your boundaries positively, not as restrictions, but as clarity that benefits everyone involved.

As creative director and consultant Paul Leon advises, “Have clearly defined parameters, aims, goals and timescales from the set go. Always ask questions and raise issues as and when they arise, clarifying what the state of play is at every stage.”

Further communication strategies include:

• Featuring office hours in your email signature
• Setting up automated out-of-office replies
• Clearly stating turnaround times in your contracts
• Using project management tools to visualise timelines and deadlines

In short, the more you can communicate your boundaries, the better. Denise, for example, adds her time off planned as a PS to her email signature a few weeks beforehand. “That way, people know when I’m away and can plan accordingly,” she reasons. “I’ve also added my office hours to my email signature, so people know when to expect a reply.”

4. Say no without guilt

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of maintaining boundaries is saying no without feeling guilty. Yet this skill is essential for protecting your time and energy.

No one wants to be a negative Nelly, as my mother always used to say. But remember that saying “no” to one thing means saying “yes” to something else—whether that’s deep work, rest, or personal projects. So when declining a request, be direct but kind, and where appropriate, offer an alternative.

That’s sometimes difficult to do in practice, of course, and that can lead you into a vicious circle. “I’m currently talking through this in therapy,” reveals design and art director Mel Yates. “I found I was getting incredibly frustrated by clients disrespecting my time blocks and boundaries, but it was more me not establishing them. I’m still working on it, but I discovered that the term ‘ASAP’ doesn’t mean ‘now’. I now realise it could mean in one or two days’ time, and that’s helped me. I’ve also found that letting clients know which days I have them in that week keeps boundaries firm.”

Phrases that can help here include:

• “I’d love to help, but my schedule is fully committed until [date].”
• “That’s not something I can accommodate in our current agreement, but here’s what I can offer instead…”
• “I’m not available outside business hours, but I’ll address this first thing tomorrow.”

5. Learn to manage expectations

If you’re doing things right, setting boundaries should get easier over time. Illustrator and animator Falko Grentrup notes that “Clients not respecting boundaries was much more common earlier in my career, and looking back, it was usually a red flag for the type of client I was dealing with.”
To prevent boundary issues, be explicit about your process and availability from the outset. Use contracts that clearly outline what clients can expect. Build buffer time into your schedules to allow for unexpected changes. Regular communication of progress is also needed to prevent anxious check-ins.

“I build in buffer time around deadlines to avoid last-minute stress and let everyone breathe,” shares Nvard. “I also use automated reminders and shared timelines, so everyone sees where we are in the process.”

6. Avoid relapsing

Setting boundaries is one thing; maintaining them is another. Boundaries can often erode over time, especially with longstanding clients or during slow business periods.

When you feel your boundaries being tested again, it’s a good idea to revisit why you established them in the first place. Consider whether the boundary still serves your well-being and creative practice. (If so, reaffirm it politely but firmly.) It can also help to document boundary breaches, to identify patterns with specific clients.

7. Find what works for you

Ultimately, boundary-setting isn’t one-size-fits-all. What constitutes healthy boundaries varies based on your personal needs, working style and circumstances.

For instance, some creatives maintain strict office hours but are flexible about communication channels. Others might work variable hours but be rigid about scope creep. The key is identifying what matters most for your well-being and creative output.

“One boundary I actually managed to keep is answering messages, emails and calls at silly o’clock,” says Sandrine. “There is no such thing as an emergency when there are no lives at risk. Nothing is on fire; the manager won’t get fired if I don’t answer.”

8. Rest as a non-negotiable boundary

Protecting time for rest is perhaps the most important boundary of all. Because for creatives, rest isn’t merely the absence of work—it’s an essential part of the creative process.

“Our work is supposed to be fun and nurturing rather than making us sick,” says Denise. With that in mind, consider scheduling regular periods of complete disconnection from work, whether that’s evenings, weekends, or longer breaks. Also, use digital tools such as email autoresponders or app blockers to reinforce these boundaries.

Conclusion

Ultimately, setting and maintaining boundaries requires courage—the courage to potentially disappoint others, risk losing certain opportunities, and prioritise one’s well-being even when it’s difficult.

As illustrator and surface pattern designer Carrie Cantwell notes, “Sometimes they try to push [boundaries], but I use iron-clad contracts I can point to if they try. Sometimes, I’ll be flexible but only to a point, and never in a way that compromises my values (i.e. work/life balance).”

Remember that every time you uphold a boundary; you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re modelling healthy professional practices for our entire creative community. By valuing your time and energy, you make it easier for other creatives to do the same.

In other words, when we collectively maintain healthy boundaries, we create a more sustainable industry for everyone.