Setting Boundaries That Actually Help You Balance Life, Work, and Self-Care
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summary
In this blog post, we’re diving deep into boundaries—what they really mean, why we need them, and how they can save our sanity. From managing work hours to establishing non-negotiable routines, I’m sharing the four main ways I set boundaries to balance my family, my 9-5, and my side hustle without losing my mind (most days, at least!).
If you’ve been feeling pulled in a million directions or like you’re constantly multitasking, this episode is for you. By the end, you’ll have some simple strategies to automate tasks, create routines, and protect your time so you can finally find some flow in your day-to-day. Plus, you’ll get some real-life examples (and a few boundary struggles!) that might just inspire you to set some new ones for yourself.
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Welcome back to Systemize Her! Let’s talk about one of those buzzwords that everyone seems to be using lately: boundaries. They’re everywhere! We hear people talking about boundaries for work, relationships, social media, and pretty much everything else. But here’s the thing: boundaries don’t have to be a negative or rigid thing. Instead, they can be one of the best ways to protect our energy, keep things from running into each other, and actually make room for what matters most.
In this episode, I shared my own approach to creating boundaries that help keep me sane while balancing family, work, and my business. Here are the four main ways I build boundaries into my routines and try to stay true to my non-negotiables (as best I can!) even when life gets busy.
1. Automate Where You Can
First up: automation. This one’s a game changer. Anything that you have to do over and over, find a way to automate it! For me, grocery shopping is a big one. Instead of making a list every week, I plan meals in advance using an app that keeps track of what I need to buy. I set up a recurring reminder to check the list every Thursday, and I do my ordering right from there.
I also automate content scheduling for the Systemize Her community so I can keep up engagement without constantly being on my phone or typing out a post every day. Automating these kinds of recurring tasks frees up time, keeps me on track, and lets me focus on other things that are actually important to me.
2. Set Boundaries Around Your Work Hours
Creating boundaries around work hours can be hard, especially if you’re like me and working a 9-5 while also building your own business. I can’t afford for these things to bleed into each other, so I set a rule: no checking my business emails during my main work hours. This way, I’m fully present in my day job, and I save business tasks for their designated time slots.
Another example is that I’ve started scheduling a full workday just for my business every other week. That way, I have one day where I’m fully focused on Systemize Her and can really dive into those big projects. This lets me work with intention and keeps my roles a little more organized (and helps me avoid burnout).
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3. Create Non-Negotiable Morning and Evening Routines
Now let’s talk about those routines. Having a set morning and evening routine really helps me stay on top of everything and sets me up for a smoother day (and a less chaotic night). I keep my morning routine simple but structured: wake up, do my skincare, listen to a quick devotional, pack our bags, make my coffee, and then get my son ready. It’s nothing fancy, but doing these things every day helps me start off on the right foot, plus it means we’re not constantly forgetting things or running late.
Evening routines are a little looser in our house, but I keep a couple things in place: dinner around the same time each night, some playtime with my son, and then his bedtime routine. I usually spend about 30 minutes wrapping up any last thoughts and checking my to-do list before I wind down for the night. This helps me feel ready for the next day and gives me a chance to catch my breath at the end of the day.
4. Create a Family Routine for Balance
Having a routine just for family time keeps everyone on the same page and cuts down on stress. This includes planning meals, doing household chores, and making sure everyone’s responsibilities are covered. For example, I know I’m going to delegate certain things each week—like having my house cleaned once a month or getting some help with laundry. For me, these routines keep the household running smoothly without taking up the whole weekend, which is key because I like to actually enjoy my time with my son instead of spending all of it on chores.
The family routine also involves asking myself: What do I really need to do myself, what can I automate, and what can I delegate? Going through these questions lets me keep things manageable so I can show up better for my family and my business without feeling like I’m being pulled in a thousand directions.
Final Thoughts
Setting boundaries might sound strict, but honestly, it’s just about making sure you’re taking care of yourself. By sticking to these non-negotiables, I’m creating more space for what’s important, and I’m able to be more present in every area of my life.
Challenge: Take a look at your own boundaries this week. Are there areas where you could create or tighten up some boundaries to help things feel less overwhelming? Start with a morning or evening routine if you don’t already have one! Write down the few tasks you’d like to make part of your routine and see how it feels to start each day in a more intentional way.
That’s it for this episode! Let me know if you found any of this helpful—I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop me a DM on Instagram, comment on my posts, or shoot me an email. Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll see you next week on Systemize Her!
Hi, I'm Leah- THE Systems Strategist for side hustlers! I love helping side-hustling moms like you organize and automate every aspect of your busy life. Whether it’s keeping your household running smoothly, streamlining your side hustle, or finding that sweet spot where both meet, I’m here to show you that you really can have it all—with a little help from the right systems.
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LISTEN TO THE PODDY-POD
Tune in to Sistemize Her, the podcast for moms and side hustlers mastering work-life balance. Learn how to streamline your side hustle, optimize your schedule, and prioritize family so that you can truly have it all!
TECH RECS
Ya’ll are ALWAYS asking for some of my favorite tech tools. Here’s a few of my favs:
moxie
I manage all of my client work inside of Moxie. One of my favorite features is their ticketing system!
MAILERLITE
An email marketing platform is a must, and MailerLite is my email marketing platform of choice.
NOTION
I use Notion as my operations platform for both business and personal life. Basically Notion is my entire brain in digital form! I also create Notion Templates inside of my Systemize Her Community!
Disclaimer: Some of the links that I give you are affiliate links. This just means that I may receive some sort of incentive if you sign up or make a purchase using my link. Don’t worry, it costs you nothing and it might just be enough to buy myself a Starbucks Cake Pop while I write this content for you!READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
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This is where you’ll get ongoing support, monthly resources, and the latest strategies to keep your life and business running smoothly. With access to exclusive content, live networking, and co-working sessions, you’ll have everything you need to stay organized, inspired, and on track. Ready to take control of your hustle? Become a member today!
