“Just as we expect others to value our
boundaries, it’s equally important for us to respect the boundaries of others.”
Laurie
Buchanan
Welcome to A Secret Blogmas
2025!
Today is Day Twelve and this twelfth post is all about the beneficial impact there is if you – as a content creator – set boundaries within your career/work. In this post, I’ll be looking at exactly what is meant by boundaries for content creators, why they’re important, and how to set them. I’ll also be chatting about my own boundaries and how and why I have them. Keep reading to find out why and how setting boundaries can impact the success and popularity of your content and/or your platform…
In content creation, “boundaries” refer to the
limits or guidelines a creator sets for themselves or their content—what they
are willing or not willing to share, discuss, or do. These boundaries help
maintain personal well-being, protect privacy, and ensure ethical, legal, and
audience-appropriate content.
Here’s a breakdown:
1. Personal Boundaries
These protect the creator’s mental, emotional,
or physical well-being. Examples:
- Choosing not to share intimate personal experiences.
- Avoiding content that triggers anxiety, stress, or trauma.
- Limiting work hours to prevent burnout.
2. Content Boundaries
These define what the content will and won’t
cover. Examples:
- Staying away from controversial or sensitive topics.
- Not including explicit violence, graphic images, or adult content.
- Avoiding harmful or misleading information.
3. Audience Boundaries
These ensure respect for your audience and
community. Examples:
- Not tolerating harassment or trolling in comments.
- Avoiding content that could offend a certain group unnecessarily.
4. Legal/Ethical Boundaries
Creators must consider rules and laws, like:
- Copyright and intellectual property restrictions.
- Privacy laws when sharing others’ content.
- Ethical considerations in reporting or storytelling.
1. Privacy Boundaries
Decide what parts of your personal life are off-limits online.
Example: Not sharing details about your
family, home address, or romantic relationships to protect your safety and
privacy.
2. Time Boundaries
Protect your time and prevent burnout by
setting limits.
Example: Only creating or engaging with
content during specific hours — and taking weekends or evenings completely
offline.
3. Emotional Boundaries
Know when to step back from negative
interactions or pressure.
Example: Not reading or replying to hate
comments, or turning off notifications when criticism becomes overwhelming.
4. Energy Boundaries
Manage how much energy you give to your
audience or brand.
Example: Limiting how many projects or
collaborations you accept so you don’t feel drained or creatively stuck.
5. Sharing Boundaries
Control how much of your thoughts, struggles,
or emotions you share publicly.
Example: Choosing not to post about personal
challenges until you’ve processed them privately (or not sharing them at all).
1. Topic Boundaries
Decide what subjects you will and won’t cover.
Example: Choosing to focus on lifestyle and
creativity but avoiding politics or religious debates that might divide your
audience or drain your energy.
2. Value Boundaries
Stick to your morals and beliefs when creating
or promoting content.
Example: Refusing to endorse or collaborate
with brands that conflict with your ethics (e.g., promoting unhealthy products
or misinformation).
3. Quality Boundaries
Maintain a standard for what you publish.
Example: Not posting rushed or low-quality
content just to stay on schedule — ensuring everything you share reflects your
brand’s quality and accuracy.
4. Aesthetic & Style Boundaries
Define your creative identity and stay
consistent.
Example: Deciding that your visuals, tone, or
humour will stay positive and family-friendly — and avoiding content that
doesn’t fit your style or audience.
5. Trend & Engagement Boundaries
Don’t feel pressured to follow every trend or
controversy.
Example: Choosing not to participate in viral
challenges or drama if they don’t align with your message or could harm your
reputation.
1. Comment Boundaries
Set clear expectations for what’s acceptable
in your comment sections.
Example: Deleting or blocking users who post
hate speech, spam, or disrespectful comments — and posting community guidelines
to make your stance clear.
2. Access Boundaries
Limit how and when your audience can reach
you.
Example: Not responding to DMs or personal
messages, or only replying during certain times to protect your personal time
and mental space.
3. Request Boundaries
Be clear about what you will or won’t do for
followers.
Example: Politely declining requests for free
shoutouts, personal advice, or favours that go beyond your role as a creator.
4. Privacy Boundaries
Protect your personal life from audience
overreach.
Example: Not sharing your location in
real-time or details about your family, and not allowing fans to contact you on
personal platforms.
5. Emotional Boundaries
Remember you’re not responsible for managing
your audience’s emotions.
Example: Avoid letting negative feedback
dictate your mood or creative direction — and taking breaks from social media
if audience pressure becomes overwhelming.
1. Collaboration Boundaries
Be selective about who you work with.
Example: Only partnering with brands or
creators whose values and reputation align with yours — even if it means
turning down well-paying offers that don’t fit your image.
2. Contract Boundaries
Always have clear agreements in writing.
Example: Requiring contracts that outline
payment terms, deadlines, creative control, and usage rights before starting
any paid collaboration or sponsorship.
3. Creative Control Boundaries
Protect your voice and style.
Example: Refusing to let brands dictate your
tone or content format — insisting that all sponsored content remains authentic
to your usual work.
4. Workload Boundaries
Avoid overcommitting to too many projects.
Example: Limiting how many sponsorships or
campaigns you take on each month so you can maintain quality and avoid burnout.
5. Financial Boundaries
Know your worth and set fair rates.
Example: Not accepting “payment in exposure”
or letting others pressure you into lowering your rates — and requiring timely
payment according to your terms.
1. Copyright & Intellectual Property
Boundaries
Respect other creators’ work and protect your
own.
Example: Never using music, images, or clips
without proper permission or credit — and ensuring your original work isn’t
reused without your consent.
2. Honesty & Transparency Boundaries
Stay truthful with your audience.
Example: Always disclosing paid partnerships,
sponsorships, or gifted items according to FTC or local advertising laws.
3. Privacy & Consent Boundaries
Protect others’ personal information and
privacy.
Example: Not filming or posting identifiable
people (like minors or strangers) without their consent, and blurring faces
when appropriate.
4. Misinformation Boundaries
Be responsible with the information you share.
Example: Fact-checking your content before
posting — and avoiding spreading rumours, unverified claims, or medical advice
you’re not qualified to give.
5. Ethical Collaboration Boundaries
Work only with ethical partners and platforms.
Example: Refusing to promote scams, gambling,
or unsafe products even if they pay well — choosing long-term trust over
short-term gain.
1. Better Mental Health & Less Burnout
Boundaries protect you from overworking,
over-sharing, and over-stressing.
By setting limits on your time, emotional
energy, and audience access, you avoid constant exhaustion and anxiety — making
content creation enjoyable again.
2. Clearer Brand Identity
Boundaries help define who you are and what
you stand for.
When you’re consistent about your topics,
values, and tone, your audience knows exactly what to expect — which builds
trust and loyalty.
3. More Productivity & Focus
Having clear work hours, content goals, and
creative limits keeps you organized.
Instead of spreading yourself thin or chasing
trends, you can focus on quality work that aligns with your purpose and
delivers real impact.
4. Protection of Privacy & Safety
Boundaries safeguard your personal life and
online presence.
By keeping some things private and moderating
how people contact you, you protect yourself from doxing, harassment, or
unwanted emotional labour.
5. Healthier Relationship With Your Audience
Boundaries create mutual respect between you
and your followers.
You train your audience to engage
respectfully, understand your limits, and value your content — instead of
expecting constant access or emotional support.
6. Professional Respect & Credibility
When you uphold ethical and professional
standards, brands and collaborators take you seriously.
Clear contracts, fair rates, and consistent
ethics show that you’re reliable — leading to better partnerships and
opportunities.
7. Sustainable Long-Term Growth
Boundaries prevent burnout and chaos, allowing
you to stay creative for years.
You’ll grow steadily instead of crashing from
overwork — because you’ve built a system that supports both your success and your wellbeing.
1. Identify Your Values and Priorities
Start by understanding what matters most to you — your well-being, creative integrity, family, or long-term career.
Ask yourself: “What kind of creator do I want
to be?” and “What do I want people to associate my content with?”
Example: You might value authenticity, positivity, or education — that will
shape your boundaries around what you share and who you partner with.
2. Define Your Non-Negotiables
These are the hard lines you won’t cross — no
matter the opportunity.
Example: “I don’t post about my relationship,”
“I won’t accept brand deals that conflict with my ethics,” or “I log off after
8 p.m.”
Write them down — it’s easier to hold yourself accountable when they’re clearly
stated.
3. Create Clear Guidelines for Your Content
Set limits for your creative space so you stay
focused and consistent.
Example:
• Choose which topics you’ll cover (and which you’ll avoid).
• Decide how often you’ll post and what kind of tone or visuals you’ll use.
• Make a checklist to review before posting (e.g., “Does this align with my
values?”).
4. Communicate Your Boundaries Clearly
Let your audience, collaborators, and team
members know your limits.
Example:
• Post community guidelines in your bio or description.
• Politely say “no” to requests that cross your line (“Thanks for asking, but I
don’t do that kind of content.”).
• Include boundaries in contracts or email agreements (e.g., deadlines, payment
terms, creative control).
5. Enforce Boundaries Consistently
Boundaries mean nothing if you don’t uphold
them.
Example: Delete or block users who break your
comment rules, decline unfair offers, or take time off when needed — even if it
disappoints some people.
Consistency earns respect; inconsistency invites overstepping.
6. Check In and Adjust Regularly
As you grow, your needs and limits will
change.
Example: You may become more comfortable
sharing certain topics, or decide to step back from others. Review your
boundaries every few months.
7. Protect Your Energy and Mental Space
Use tools and habits that make boundaries
easier to maintain.
Example:
• Schedule “offline days.”
• Use filters, auto-replies, and moderation tools.
• Practice saying “no” without guilt — it’s a skill!
1. Feeling Guilty or “Selfish” for Saying No
Many creators struggle with guilt when turning
down requests or opportunities.
You might feel like you’re letting fans,
clients, or collaborators down — but remember, boundaries aren’t selfish;
they’re protective.
Watch out for: Saying “yes” out of guilt or fear of disappointing people.
Tip: Practice polite, firm responses (e.g., “I appreciate the offer, but I
can’t take this on right now.”).
2. Inconsistent Enforcement
If you set a boundary but don’t stick to it,
people won’t take it seriously.
Example: Saying you don’t reply to DMs but
then responding occasionally confuses your audience.
Watch out for: Making exceptions too often or letting pressure erode your
limits.
Tip: Be consistent — even small lapses can weaken your credibility.
3. Audience or Follower Pushback
Some followers may not respect your limits —
especially if they’re used to more access.
Example: Fans demanding personal details or
instant replies.
Watch out for: Trying to please everyone or over-explaining your decisions.
Tip: Stay calm, be clear, and enforce your community rules firmly but kindly.
4. Professional or Brand Pressure
Brands or collaborators might push your
creative or ethical boundaries.
Example: A sponsor asking you to promote
something that doesn’t align with your values.
Watch out for: Agreeing to deals that make you uncomfortable or compromise your
integrity.
Tip: Trust your instincts — no short-term deal is worth damaging your
reputation.
5. Overly Rigid Boundaries
Too many or too-strict rules can make you
inflexible or disconnected from your audience.
Example: Refusing to engage with feedback or
never adjusting your approach.
Watch out for: Turning healthy boundaries into walls that block growth or
connection.
Tip: Boundaries should protect, not isolate — review them
periodically to keep them balanced.
6. Not Communicating Boundaries Clearly
If your audience or team doesn’t know your
boundaries, they can’t respect them.
Example: Collaborators not knowing your
working hours or content policies.
Watch out for: Assuming people “should just know.”
Tip: Communicate boundaries openly — in bios, contracts, pinned posts, or
direct messages.
7. Neglecting Self-Reflection
As you grow, old boundaries may no longer fit.
Example: Maybe you’re now comfortable sharing
behind-the-scenes content you used to avoid — or need to tighten limits on
audience interaction.
Watch out for: Sticking to outdated boundaries that no longer serve you.
Tip: Regularly check in with yourself: “Is this still working for me?”
1. The Comment Function on my Blog
Posts
In 2014, just over one
year after creating I’m NOT Disordered, I received two horrible comments on two
separate blog posts. The first, was on a piece of content that was pretty much
a rant inspired by an instance with the staff of the psychiatric hospital I was
an inpatient of, and the comment was basically accusing me of being ungrateful
and spiteful. I felt upset with this comment because I had the belief that this
person had no idea what it was to be in that hospital 24/7 and to have had
those staff in my life for over two years (I had been admitted in 2012)! And
so, in my opinion, what right did that person have to comment on my attitude
and my response to this instance.
The second comment was
on a piece of content marking an awareness date around suicide where I had
discussed the attempts I’d made up until that point, and the reader’s comment
was wishing me ‘luck’ with ‘the next one.’ And I guess it’s more obvious why
this one was upsetting and hurtful. I was massively grateful that I was so far
into my recovery that my discharge date wasn’t too far ahead otherwise I think
I wouldn’t have coped so safely with this comment.
In the end, as a
result of these two comments – but mostly that second one – I ended up closing I’m
NOT Disordered down at the beginning of September 2014 and in all honesty, I
had every intention of that being permanent. So, I was very fortunate that
Blogger doesn’t close a blog down immediately when you request it to do so. And
so, when – by the end of October – I had realised how much I missed blogging
and how helpful it had been for my mental health, I was able to open the blog
back up. In doing so, I made the decision to remove the comment function on my
blog posts so that I could protect myself and prevent any repeat instances of
those two horrible comments, and whilst I recognise that there are one million
and one other ways to contact me, I’ve been incredibly fortunate and have had
no other horrible messages from readers.
2. The Number of Collaborations Per
Month
This one was actually
advised/mentioned earlier in the blog post, and it’s something I mostly do
because of energy levels – both physically and literally, as well as in terms
of my creativity and how easily – or not – I can maintain the standards of how
creative my content is!
For me, I think that
with I’m NOT Disordered and the majority of my online content in general focusing
on mental health, it means that collaborations are fairly heavy-duty and intense
in terms of their theme, angle, and focus. I mean, when you think; I’ve worked
with Police Forces – like my local one (Northumbria Police) and the British
Transport Police – and huge, medical organisations – like the NHS, the North
East Ambulance Service, and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. And they’re
pretty big, well-known, and instrumental organisations in terms of the impact
they can have and their ability to make a difference on – and to – people’s
lives!
So, I think with that
in mind, it’s only reasonable and understandable that I would want to limit the
number of collaborations I do per month. I won’t lie – it took me some time to learn
(as opposed to deciding with no real rationale for the decision – I wanted to
figure it out through experience) just how many was ‘too many!’ But finally,
after over twelve years(!), I’ve come to the conclusion that two or three is a
good number – and it’s actually not just about things I’ve mentioned like the major-ness/importance/popularity/reputation
of the collaboration partner and the energy and creativity levels! It’s also
about the consistency in my content in that I typically publish a blog post around
three to five times per month because it usually takes around one week to create
each piece, so imagine if three of those were collaborations! There could
either be no room or it could massively outweigh content that’s more personal
and solo – and I have to consider why readers even come to I’m NOT Disordered.
Are they looking for collaboration content? Or details on my journey? So, two
to three per month.
3. Disclosing My Real-Time Location
This one is a boundary
I have which I actually, honestly didn’t even think of as being a boundary or
being relevant for this post until I spotted it referenced as an example
earlier in this blog post! When I’m at events or meetings at particular or
special locations, I tend to publish content about them afterwards and so, on
Instagram and Twitter (@aimes_wilson on Twitter and Instagram and @imnotdisordered
on Instagram) I’ll often tag the location. My Facebook account is actually private
and literally just for my genuine friends and family, so if I do post content
like that which tags a location whilst I’m at the location, I don’t mind as
much!
4. Using Copyright Images
This is something I’m becoming
more and more aware of and the ‘rule’ I’ve developed around it for me and my
content, is that for blog posts and social media content, I typically take
images from Pinterest because they’re so versatile in terms of getting the
right aesthetic for my blog and for that particular, individual piece of content.
But, for bigger projects – like my books (you can find links to purchase both
of them to the right of the blog) and more independent campaigns (little hint
of an upcoming project!) – I use Unsplash for graphics and imagery.
5. My Topic Boundaries
So, my largest boundary
in so far as the topic or detail of my content, is around the identifiable
details of my abuser/rapist. I obviously talk about my trauma (six months of
sexual abuse and one instance of rape) quite a lot because whilst I would never
want it to be deemed as a defining quality for me, I do recognise how
influential it has been on my life, where I am today, and who I am today. So,
in all honesty, I do find it incredibly hard that – for legal reasons – I’m not
allowed to disclose identifiable details when it comes to telling you who my
abuser/rapist (it was the same person) is. Those legal reasons, for anyone who
is curious, are around the fact that he hasn’t been found guilty of what he did
to me because the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) ruled there to not be enough
evidence to prosecute/charge him and go to Court. So, technically, if I were to
start openly accusing him and providing details which enable someone to
pinpoint who I’m referring to, it could actually be deemed ‘slander.’
Something I find really hard with this is that I honestly believe that if I were to even just tell you his job title, anyone and everyone who knew me during the abuse (2006 – 2007) would correctly guess who I’m referring to. And, in my honest opinion, that should say a lot about it/him. Like, it shouldn’t take something so simple for people to guess that of him. It hints that people can imagine him being capable of those things. And that should be considered massively as evidence enough! The other difficulty here is the obvious thoughts around responsibility and blame. He deserves to be held accountable. He deserves for the world to know how wrong he was. He deserves for people to think as poorly of him as they would and should! However, something I will say here and make clear here, is that I greatly recognise that I have made the decision to tell my story. That I have been responsible and in complete control of the fact that what happened to me has become public information. I don’t want for anyone to think that perhaps I want him to be named and blamed because everyone knows this stuff about me – I recognise that it’s my responsibility that people know this of me.