Boundaries in action
(or why I genuinely love reading your out-of-office replies)
When I email clients or friends I often get out-of-office replies.
And I love reading them.
These aren't just any kind of out-of-office replies, but messages sharing what people are doing instead of reading and answering email.
They're throwing pots in their studio.
Spending dedicated days crafting beautiful jewellery.
Taking time off to soak up the sea air.
Chasing their kids around and spending time in the sun.
They are purposefully guarding their time and energy to focus on what matters most in their life and business.
The other day I told a friend how I loved it when she shared a boundary ("I'll look into it tomorrow"). She replied saying that she was trying, but it wasn't easy.
It's not your fault that you keep crossing your boundaries around email, availability or social media.
You're up against decades of productivity culture (not to mention millions of social media posts and thousands of app developers) telling you that you need to 'on' as much as possible.
If you identify as female, add to that thousands of years of baggage telling you that you need to be available. That you have to put others' needs ahead of your own. That you can't take up space. That you can't say no to requests for emotional or physical space and contact.
An out-of-office reply is a signal to the world that you are taking up space. That you are forging a path away from the norm.
An out-of-office reply or other boundary is not only an external signal, but also an internal one. You're affirming to yourself that you have a life and a business outside of email. You're giving yourself permission to not read or think about your email, let alone feel obliged to reply.
Taking up this kind of space takes practice but it's so worth it.
How can you protect the time and energy you spend on your business from external demands?
Try out an out-of-office reply, dedicated social media days or other boundaries in your business. How does it feel once the discomfort ebbs away?
Setting boundaries in and around my business is something that has benefited both my own mental health and my business most. But it's a process that requires maintenance and updating too. In my business boundaries that feel good guide I help you set boundaries in and around your business, so that you can focus on what you're best at in your business (and: on your life outside of it!). It's full of prompts and strategies, and has pages and pages of templates in the back.
a book | I've been rereading loads, but Ruth Ozeki's The Book of Form & Emptiness is new to me. It's very much a book about books and I'm enjoying it :) (affiliate link).
alliums | I planted 5 or 6 allium bulbs in the garden and now that the flowers are appearing I'm determined to plant many more of them this fall.Â
the seaside | Last week J + I spent a few days on the seaside and it was glorious. I'd so missed being by the sea, to look at the expansive horizon and breathe in all the sea air. ✨
Where are you setting in boundaries in your business? And where would you like to set more? Do share in the comments, I’d love to hear your examples and questions!
I'd love to support you to create the slow, gentle + profitable business that you crave.
I have 2 ways of working together:Â
focus + follow through session: 60-minute session followed by a 30-minute follow-up a few weeks later;
package of 4 calls of 60-minutes.
Find out more below, or send me a message. I'd love to get to know you ✨
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