Ask Kim | How do I set boundaries that actually work?

Dear Kim,

Working from home is no joke. I’m struggling with making boundaries stick. Whenever I try, it feels like no one respects them, and I get overwhelmed and frustrated. How do I set boundaries that actually work so I can be present for my family while still supporting my business and work?

Signed,

Baffled Without Boundaries in TN

Dear Baffled Without Boundaries, 

I hate to break it to you, but if your boundaries aren’t being respected, there’s a reason.

You’re not respecting them either.

Checking emails at 7:30 p.m. when you said you’d be done by 5:30?

Taking calls at dinner when you tell your family the table is a tech-free space?

Not reminding your spouse not to interrupt you during your deep work time?

See how easy it is to blur the lines?

Here’s the truth: It’s no one else’s job to enforce your boundaries. That’s on you. Period. If you bend your own rules, even a little, you’re inviting others to push those limits too.

Learning how to set boundaries is hard at first, but it’s a skill you can master. Give yourself grace, then grit up. Be firm. Drop the guilt when people try to test your limits, and never apologize for protecting your time and energy. Because YOU ARE ALLOWED! Remember, you are ALL learning a new way to operate here—and I promise, it’s a better way to operate!

If making boundaries stick is tough, go back to your why: You set these boundaries to protect what matters most—your time, energy, and priorities. This is how you build sustainable resilience and Unstoppable Momentum in a world that never stops. It’s worth the effort, and with practice, it will become a habit that serves you every day.

Kick-off 2025 strong by reading my latest blog. It’s packed with tips on how to set boundaries—not resolutions—with more tips on making boundaries stick.