I was recently having a conversation with my team member, where we were talking about what people need to hear more of right now, and right away, she looked at me and said… “self-care.”
You know, it’s funny because we typically go into online business because we seek a greater sense of balance in our lives. We want the freedom to be our own boss and make our own hours. But then, we often get so caught up in the hustle of starting a business that we forget about self-care! So in this post, I’m going to break down for you why self-care is essential to being a mindful business owner.
What is Self Care?
It may sound like a silly question, but it’s good to make sure we’re all on the same page. If you’re wondering what I mean by self-care, I’m referring to the time you spend fulfilling your deep and personal needs. The thing with self-care is that it’s different for every single person! What relaxes one person may seem like a chore to another, which is why I emphasize that it’s incredibly individual.
Busting The Self-Care Myth
There’s a myth that self-care means you’re going out to get your nails done or getting your hair dyed, or getting a massage. While those all could fall under self-care activities, there’s no single way to practice caring for yourself.
Self-care doesn’t have to look like booking appointments at the fancy salon across town.
For me, a significant element of self-care is time to read and study. If I don’t have this time, I cannot be the best coach and copywriter that my clients deserve. I can’t be the partner, friends and family members that my loved ones deserve!
We all have unique needs that need satisfied.
Why is Self Care so Important For Business Owners?
First of all, let me preface this by saying that self-care is essential for every single person.
I’m merely emphasizing that self-care is especially important for us business owners. Think of all the hats we wear and the worries we manage in a day independently. Think of all the deep and intimate space you hold for your clients every day. It’s so vital that you have time away from that to decompress and truly allow yourself to unwind.
When you live and work in the same place, this can be incredibly challenging, which is why I suggest developing an unwind ritual…
Consider Having an Unwind Ritual
My office is directly between the kitchen and living room, which means I work amongst my living space. Don’t get me wrong; I’m incredibly grateful for this space (Especially since I shared an office with my guitar-teaching boyfriend in our last small apartment!). Still, I find it’s sometimes hard to mentally separate myself from work when my desk is just there in the next room.
Another barrier to this is our phones. We have all the apps that we use to run our business at our fingertips that we can tap into at any moment, even when we’re trying to unwind at night.
That’s why I started having an unwind/ disconnection ritual. This was something my human design reader suggested would really serve me as a projector!
First, I check my apps and email a final time (At a time I’ve agreed upon with myself will be my unwind time), then say a small thank you to the universe for the ability to serve that day. Next, I close my eyes in meditation for a moment, then place my phone in my office and tidy my workspace.
This sounds small, but it’s enough to signal to my brain, okay, you’ve done work now it’s time for unwinding and rest time!
Give it a go!
Have a Hobby That Keeps Your Hands Busy
If you struggle to unwind as a busy business owner, having a hobby that will keep your hands (or body) busy and active is a beautiful thing to have.
It’s a great thing that allows you to switch off your brain for a little bit, get out of any anxious thoughts or headspaces you may find yourself in, and get back to being YOU.
Here are some of the hobbies that I find are nourishing from a self-care perspective and that keeps my hands busy when I’m feeling anxious:
- Bullet journaling
- Sketching
- Painting
- Knitting
- Jewelry-making
Self-Care Ideas
Don’t know where to begin to unwind? That’s okay, my love! Follow your curiosity! Here’s a list of some ideas for you to try.
- A hot bubble bath or shower
- An at-home spa night
- Time to watch your favourite TV show with your favourite snack
- Your favourite form of exercise
- Yoga + meditation
- Reading
- Cooking
Feeling overwhelmed today, my friend? That’s okay; we all have those days. Check out this post about 5 Ways To Practice Self Care When Anxiety Hits
One Of The Simplest Forms of Self Care: Colouring!
Colouring isn’t just for kids! It’s one of the simplest and most meditative forms of self-care! These 3 unique and anti-anxiety colouring pages are perfect for you to create with and colour. Colouring is one of my favourite ways to let my inner child play and relieve some stress – I hope they bring you just as much joy!
