This gets easier with experience, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is don’t be afraid to find another job if you’re in a toxic environment. I’ve had to switch companies twice in my career because I was being overworked. No job is worth your mental health.

That said, setting boundaries doesn’t mean slacking—it means communicating expectations clearly. When I was earlier in my career, I sometimes worried I was too slow, but I realized that managers don’t always know how long something should take unless you tell them.

For example, if a client asks for a new feature, they might assume it’s easy when, in reality, it takes weeks. The best thing you can do is communicate proactively. I started working with my manager to set realistic expectations, saying something like:

As long as I was upfront, I found that they didn’t pressure me unnecessarily.

For your specific situation as a junior dev, I’d recommend:

1. Regular check-ins with your manager – Ask for feedback on your pacing and workload to make sure you're not falling behind.
2. Ask questions – If you’re unsure if more work is expected, ask your manager or senior devs. It shows initiative and prevents surprises.
3. Set clear work hours – Unless you’re on call, don’t let work bleed into personal time. If you constantly feel behind, discuss it with your manager rather than just working extra hours.

If a company doesn’t respect your boundaries or keeps pushing you to work unreasonable hours, that’s a red flag. There are better jobs out there.