In my last blog, I shared the one thing you can do right now to reduce your overwhelm. If you haven’t read that blog, I highly recommend going back and doing that – I promise it will be life-changing.
In this blog, I want to expand on something that directly relates to feeling overwhelmed – something I touched on in the last blog but now want to dig into more deeply. I’m talking about boundaries – specifically boundaries around your time and energy – and the power of one small but mighty word: “no.”
As a recovering people-pleaser, I know first hand how hard it can be to say no. It feels uncomfortable. It can feel selfish. But if you’re constantly overwhelmed, struggling to keep up with the demands of your business and personal life, and feeling like there’s never enough time for you – strengthening your boundaries is the key to turning things around.
Overwhelm Is a Result of Your Choices
This might be a hard truth to hear, but your sense of overwhelm is a direct result of the choices you’re making.
If you’re saying yes to things that aren’t aligned with your vision for your life or business, you are actively adding to your overwhelm. You’re filling up your to-do list with things that don’t need to be there. You’re packing your calendar with commitments that drain your energy rather than lift you up.
It’s no wonder you feel like you’re constantly running out of time. It’s no wonder you feel frustrated that there’s never any time left for you.
But here’s the empowering part: Since you are already making these choices – you have the power to change them. You have the power to decide where your boundaries lie. You can choose what you say “yes” to and what you say “no” to.
You get to decide:
- What goes on your to-do list
- What gets added to your calendar
- Who you spend your time with
- How you structure your workday
That’s powerful, right? You get to create the life and business you truly want – but only if you stop letting other people’s demands and expectations dictate your time and energy.
Why Boundaries Feel So Hard
Let’s be honest – saying no isn’t easy. Especially when it means disappointing someone else.
As women, many of us have been conditioned to put others first. To be helpful, agreeable, and accommodating. To avoid conflict. But when you constantly put others’ needs ahead of your own, you end up sacrificing your peace, your health, and your happiness.
Yes, saying “no” might upset someone. But if saying yes means stretching yourself too thin, leaving no time for rest or the things that matter to you – then you are the one who loses out.
- You are the one who ends up feeling resentful.
- You are the one who feels frustrated that you have no time for yourself.
- You are the one who feels exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin.
And the truth is – if you don’t set your boundaries yourself, no one else will. People will keep asking for more of your time and energy unless you make it clear where your limits are.
You Deserve Time for Yourself Too
I know you want your children to have an amazing childhood. You want them to be able to participate in all their favourite activities – the sports clubs, the playdates, the music lessons. You want your business to thrive and your clients to feel supported.
But what about you?
Do you not deserve time to enjoy your life too?
Do you not deserve to feel calm, energised, and balanced?
If your life feels out of balance right now – if you feel like you’re constantly chasing your tail and can’t seem to slow down – it’s because you’ve overstretched your boundaries. You’ve said yes to too much. You’ve put your needs at the bottom of the priority list.
If you want to start living in alignment with your values, goals, and vision for life – while also making time for yourself – you need to reassess your boundaries and pull them back in.
How to Start Strengthening Your Boundaries
If you’re ready to bring your life and business back into balance, you need to start strengthening your boundaries. Here’s how:
1. Get clear on what matters most
Before you can set boundaries, you need to be clear on what you want from your life and business. What are your core values? What are your top priorities? If a request or opportunity doesn’t align with those things – it’s a no.
Want help getting clear on your values and priorities? This guide will help you do just that.
2. Practice saying no – without guilt
No is a complete sentence. You don’t need to justify or explain it. If it’s not aligned with your priorities or it stretches you too thin, the answer is no. Start small and build from there.
3. Stop over-explaining
When you say no, resist the urge to offer a long-winded explanation, or to apologise. Keep it simple, direct and factual:
“Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t take that on right now.”
“That sounds great, but I’m not available.”
4. Create space for YOU
Block out time in your calendar for rest, self-care, and the things that bring you joy. Treat these appointments with yourself as non-negotiable.
Only got 5 minutes, but need an energy reset? Then check out this free guide.
5. Let go of the need to please everyone
Some people won’t like your boundaries – and that’s OK. You are not responsible for other people’s reactions. Your job is to protect your energy and honour your needs.
Change Takes Time – But It’s Worth It
This work isn’t easy. It’s uncomfortable to start saying “no” when you’ve spent years saying “yes”. It takes time for others to adjust to your new boundaries.
But if you don’t make this shift, nothing will change. You’ll stay stuck in the same cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion.
When you strengthen your boundaries, you reclaim your time, your energy, and your peace. You start building a life that reflects your true priorities – not everyone else’s expectations.
So, where can you start today? What’s one thing you can say “no” to – right now – to protect your energy and start creating more ease in your life?
You’ve got this. And if you need support to create stronger boundaries and build a life and business that truly aligns with your vision – I’m here to help. Just reach out, and we can explore how we can work together.
Setting boundaries isn’t selfish – it’s essential. Your peace matters. Your happiness matters. And you are absolutely worthy of both.