Setting Boundaries and Limits to Eliminate Burnout

As a woman in the working world, it can be challenging to speak up or say no because we fear upsetting others or causing a disruption. It is crucial to both your physical and mental health to determine your workload limits and make people abide by them. If you want to settle into a work routine and ultimately feel comfortable every day, you need to be prepared and set boundaries. Focus on what will help you avoid burnout, especially when you have other obligations to care for, such as partners and children.

Recognize Your Limits

Take a moment to figure out what upsets you or makes you feel uncomfortable. Single women will have completely different boundaries than those who are married with children. Perhaps you don’t want your in-laws visiting unexpectedly throughout the week or when they’re sick; maybe it’s answering work calls while on dates. These are unique to everyone, so don’t judge yourself based on other’s limits.

Let Go of Your Self-Doubt

Women often struggle with feelings of guilt or discomfort because we take it upon ourselves to be the ones to finish tasks and tend to be impaired by a fear of repercussions and feelings of being a bad mother or colleague. Let go of this guilt and be selfish for once--learn to prioritize your health and happiness. Don’t work overtime with no compensation just because you don’t want to anger your boss. Remind yourself that leaving your kids with the babysitter doesn’t make you a horrible parent. If you keep letting your self-doubt take over, you’ll continue to appease people, eventually leading to resentment and feeling unappreciated or taken advantage of.

Communicate Clearly

The only way people will respect your boundaries is if you tell them. If someone violates your limits, let them know immediately. Rather than coming off as aggressive or hard to work with, offer an alternative solution to your problem that is mutually beneficial. For example, if your in-laws keep stopping by unexpectedly, suggest a weekly visit that works for your schedule. Explain yourself clearly and navigate the conversation with positivity to ensure it’s constructive.

Women with children have an easier time saying no in the workplace because their decisions affect their families’ well-being. They learn to decline a task or request that might interfere with their ability to parent or directly impact their child. You might find yourself questioned more as a single woman because the people around you expect a reason or excuse for your refusal. You don’t need an excuse, and you don’t need to explain why.

Personal Boundaries

As you set your limits for others, do the same to yourself. Create strict rules for what you allow in your daily life at home, such as not checking your email or taking calls on your downtime. Separate your workspace from your home space, even more so when you work from home. Try making a work schedule to organize your life, bring structure to your routine, and still leave time for yourself--and then commit to it.

You don’t want every moment of your day to revolve around your job and interfere with your life. The only way you can balance your workload is by clearly setting boundaries for everyone you interact with. Indulge in some self-care and prioritize yourself for a change. Learn to say no and voice your opinion more, or else you’ll quickly burnout.