How to Set Healthy Boundaries as a Freelance Creative
- Adilla
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
Work-life balance has become an essential trait in our lives to protect our wellness. This goes the same for freelancing work too. The lines between personal and work life can be a bit blurred when you’re doing freelance work.
So, setting healthy boundaries at work looks different from just a regular 9-to-5, especially for creatives. Mental wellness while freelancing starts with knowing what your boundaries are to protect yourself from burnout in the long run.
Table of Contents
What Are Healthy Boundaries?
At work, healthy boundaries involve clear communication and setting limits on:
your time,
your creative energy,
your physical and emotional state.
For freelancing work, to put it into finer details, a defined working hour, a dedicated workspace, and setting the expectations clearly.
All of that is important to maintain a healthier freelance wellness.
Signs You Need Better Work Boundaries
Drained and Overwhelmed
Whether there are too many people reaching out to you during or outside your freelancing hours, when everything feels tiring and too much, boundaries can protect you. Establishing your limits and what you can tolerate on a day-to-day basis will prevent you from getting swamped by everything.
Work-Life Imbalance
If you find yourself checking work even during your break or holidays, it's time to set a boundary for when and how your work can reach out to you. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with just checking in, this will disrupt your resting time, and you might accidentally pick up FOMO at work.
Workaholic Mentality
Are you the type of creative who enjoys working on your passion? Adding on to your to-do list constantly to work on the next big thing? This will potentially burn you out in the long run.
How to Communicate and Maintain Your Boundaries
Before communicating your boundaries, understand your needs and what is important to you as a professional freelancer. Finding someone to practise with could also make it easier for you to communicate with this.
Be Kind but Firm
When stating your boundaries, acknowledge the other person’s perspective as well while still holding on to your own needs.
Clear, Direct and Explain Why
Be direct and plain when stating your boundary. You don’t always need to offer an explanation or apology. But, if you are prompted to explain why, be honest and help them understand your perspective.
Be Consistent and Address ‘Violations’ Early
Enforce your boundaries consistently to show that you are firm with your decisions. When a boundary does get crossed, calmly address it right away, as ignoring it will only let resentment build up.
Saying “No” When Necessary
For workaholics, denying work opportunities can be a challenge. However, for your wellness in the long run, it’s best to learn how and when to say no.
Key Takeaways
Freelance creatives often thrive when they set clear boundaries between their work and personal life, allowing them to maintain balance and focus on their projects.
It can be a struggle to be firm with your boundaries, but this strength and confidence can be built through trusted communities like a group focused on creative wellness and mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do I do when people are uncomfortable with my boundaries at work?
When people are uncomfortable with their boundaries at work, stay assertive and communicate clearly and calmly. It’s important to stay professional and still be consistent in enforcing your boundaries.
Why do I have to set boundaries?
The reason why you should set boundaries is so that your personal time is respected. Thus, practising a healthier work-life balance to avoid burnout.
Author Bio
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies, like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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