The Digital Junk Drawer

It’s Not Me, It’s You: Dealing with Difficult Clients Without Losing Your Sanity

Episode Summary

I dive into the messy reality of difficult clients and why—newsflash—it’s usually not about you. We’ll talk about how to reframe these situations, set boundaries that protect your energy, and stop taking on clients who drain you. Plus, I share a personal story about a coaching client who had zero online presence, assumed their launch would be a banger, and how I got roped into redoing everything after they fired their team. The best part? The lesson I learned: I wasn’t the problem. If you’ve ever dealt with a high-maintenance, boundary-pushing client, this one’s for you.

Episode Notes

Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

Today, we’re talking about difficult clients—the ones who push boundaries, expect magic without effort, and make you question your entire existence. If you’ve ever felt like you were over-delivering, underappreciated, or just plain drained by a client relationship, let’s unpack that.

I’ll be sharing:

• A personal story about a coaching client who thought “showing up” = instant sales (spoiler: it didn’t).
• How I got stuck redoing her entire launch after she fired her team (fun times).
• The moment I realized it wasn’t me—it was her mindset and lack of preparation.
• The importance of boundaries, clear expectations, and knowing when to say no.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💡 Why difficult clients are not a reflection of your worth.
💡 How to reframe challenging situations so you don’t take on someone else’s stress.
💡 The role of boundaries in protecting your time, energy, and creativity.
💡 How to identify red flags before you get sucked into a chaotic client relationship.
💡 Why saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones.

Tiny Stepper of the Day

Here’s your one small action for today:
Take five minutes to reflect on a time when a client drained your energy. Write down:

1. What you learned from that experience.
2. One boundary you wish you had set.
3. How you’ll handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Your peace is priceless—protect it.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 TheMainStage.ca – Want to stop overbooking and create a business that works for you? Check out my latest resources.
🔗 Follow Me on Threads – Need behind-the-scenes chaos and unfiltered biz tea? 

Come find me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca.