A Reflection on Boundaries in Business
There is something no one really talks about when you are a service-based creative: how deeply personal the work becomes. You pour your heart into your client’s vision, you hold space for their dreams, you go above and beyond to make them feel seen, not just because it’s your job, but because you care, but what happens when that care becomes a weight?
When what started as mutual excitement slowly turns into quiet dread every time a message notification appears. This is something I experienced recently in my business, and I wanted to share it, not out of bitterness, but in the hope that it might help someone else protect their peace too.
It started beautifully, and I was so excited to work with this client. She was passionate, kind, and full of vision. She would message me regularly, often just advice or my opinion, and I would give, and give, and give. I offered thoughtful answers, design fixes, and even gave strategy direction well beyond what was paid for. I told myself it was fine, I wanted to help. That’s who I am, but then the exhaustion crept in. Every message came with a subtle pressure and even though she loved everything I had done, I found myself feeling anxious when her name popped up. I started to notice how often her requests came without boundaries, and how rarely the same energy was returned when I set mine.
The tipping point came when I gently said I would need to charge for additional work after a full day of giving my all, and she went silent, and then I noticed she’d quietly removed my access to her website, without a word.
No explanation, no goodbye. Just… gone. Honestly, I burst into tears.
THE UNSPOKEN COST OF OVER GIVING AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNT
I have always believed in leading with heart, and I still do but this experience taught me something really important: being heart-led doesn’t mean being boundary-less.
It’s okay to say:
“This is out of scope.”
“I’d love to help, here’s how we can do that within a paid container.”
“I am not available for free support at this time.”
And more than anything, it’s okay to walk away when a relationship starts to deplete more than it gives.
FOR ANYONE NAVIGATING THIS