"Sorry, I'm Not Actually Checking Instagram During My C-Section": Setting Boundaries in a 24/7 Social Media World

You're at your sister's wedding. Your phone buzzes. It's a client: "Can you post this RIGHT NOW?" You look down at your bridesmaid's dress or groomsman tux, champagne in hand, and wonder where exactly in your contract it specified "on-call social media emergency services."

Welcome to the social media professional's boundary dilemma. Where the rest of the world assumes that because platforms never sleep, neither should you.

The Boundary Extinction Event

The death of professional boundaries for social media managers didn't happen overnight.

It happened somewhere between a client’s “Can you post this real quick?” and “Well, I AM always on my phone.” 

We ended up answering DMs during dinner, scheduling content during our kid's soccer games, and considering "only checking notifications twice during vacation" as a healthy boundary.

Oooof.

And here’s where it got us.

The Real Cost of Always Being "On"

Let's talk about what boundary-free work is actually costing you though because for REAL, time is money and you’re spending too much time being on:

• The Disappearing Brain: Creative thinking requires rest. Period. Your brain on constant alert is like running your car engine at 7000 RPM for months, yo, something's gonna blow.

• The Relationship Tax: Every time you check messages during family time, you're paying a tax on your relationships. Eventually, that tax becomes unsustainable.

• The Expertise Devaluation: When you're available 24/7, you inadvertently signal that your time holds no premium value. Congratulations, you've just commoditized yourself. (This makes it SUPER hard to build a team and step away)

• The Burnout Express: It's not an "if" but a "when." And recovery takes way longer than prevention.

The Boundary Revolution: Your New Rules of Engagement

Here's how to reclaim your life without losing clients:

1. The Emergency Definition Protocol

Most "emergencies" in social media aren't emergencies at all. They're poor planning wrapped in panic.

Establish clear definitions of what constitutes an emergency:

• Actual emergency: Account hacked, legal issue, legitimate crisis

• Not an emergency: Typo in a post, CEO wants something posted on Sunday, someone left a mean comment

Put this in your contract. Reference it religiously.

2. The Working Hours Manifesto

Create a client-facing document that clearly states:

• Your working hours

• Response time expectations

• After-hours protocols

• Weekend and holiday policies

Then comes the hard part: Actually follow it.

3. The Technology Barricade

Your tech should work for you, not against you:

• Set working hours in Slack and email (don’t agree to texting! I did this and it nearly had me in a straight jacket.)

• Use auto-responders that set expectations

• Schedule content in batches

• Use separate devices or profiles for work/personal (transparently, this is what another social media colleague does and I stole this thought from her, but I don’t do it.)

• Turn off notifications during non-work hours (yes, ALL of them)

4. The Client Education Campaign

Most clients aren't maliciously destroying your boundaries—they simply don't understand the work.

Create a one-page guide for new clients that explains:

• Why immediate responses aren't always possible (or good)

• How rush requests impact quality

• Why after-hours communication creates diminishing returns

• What your response protocols are

Pro tip: Frame this around THEIR interests. "To ensure you get my best strategic thinking and highest quality work, here's how we'll communicate..." 

5. The Boundary Reinforcement System

When a boundary is crossed, address it immediately:

The Boundary Violation Template: "I noticed you messaged about [non-emergency issue] at [outside work hours]. As outlined in our agreement, I'll address this during working hours on [next business day]. For urgent matters like [list actual emergencies], please [emergency protocol]."

Send this template every single time a boundary is crossed. Consistency is key.

6. The Premium Pricing Structure

If you absolutely must offer 24/7 availability to certain clients:

• Create a specific "Always-On Access" package

• Price it at MINIMUM 50% above your standard rate or more

• Define exactly what "always-on" means

• Set a clear expiration/renewal date

Make the price painful enough that only genuine emergencies will trigger it.

Real Talk: It's Harder Than It Sounds

Listen, I TOTALLY get it though, setting boundaries is terrifying when you're afraid of losing clients.

But here’s the truth serum you NEED to hear (or read): Clients who respect your boundaries are:

• More profitable long-term

• Less likely to create emergencies

• More respectful of your expertise

• Easier to retain

The clients who push back hardest on boundaries are almost always the ones costing you money through scope creep, emergency demands, and emotional labor.

Your New Boundary Manifesto

1. My expertise is valuable regardless of the time of day.

2. Accessibility is not the same as availability.

3. My best work happens when I'm rested and focused.

4. A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.

5. My personal time is non-negotiable.

Print this out. Stick it on your wall. Read it when that 9pm client text makes your stomach drop.

The 30-Day Boundary Challenge

If you’re currently in client distress with this, don't try to fix everything at once. Start with the 30-day boundary challenge:

Week 1: Define your ideal working hours and communicate them to clients 

Week 2: Create your emergency protocols and client education document 

Week 3: Set up your technology barricades 

Week 4: Practice enforcing one boundary perfectly

Document what happens. I guarantee the outcome will be better than you fear.

The Last Word

Remember: You are a strategic professional, not a 24/7 social media vending machine.

Your clients don't expect their lawyer, accountant, or doctor to respond at 10pm on a Saturday. There's no reason they should expect it from you.

Your time off isn't just a luxury…it's what makes your working hours valuable. Protect it accordingly.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go turn off my notifications. This article was finished during working hours, and my evening belongs to me.