Lesson 5: Take Time For Yourself

You would think that working for yourself would mean not the typical 9-5. Will be amazing and you can choose your hours. But, in reality, as you are so passionate about your business and love what you do, you never stop. Your brain is constantly thinking about how to help your clients or what to do next for marketing purposes 24/7. You feel you have to go on and on to build your business and not let anyone down.

STOP.

You aren’t a machine. You shouldn’t be running yourself ragged. Your mind, body and of course your clients won’t thank you for it.

BREATHE.

Of course enjoy running your business, working with clients and be creative. But have boundaries for yourself. Set time away for you. This could just be going in garden looking at the flowers and trees, taking time away from the computer. Taking your dog for a walk. Stopping work early to watch a film with hubby. Booking a day off to have lunch, possibly retail therapy. Go to yoga class to relax and remove all the daily stresses and unwind.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes including you.” —- Anne Lamott

As small business owners, we need to take time for ourselves. To slow down a little, look after our general wellbeing. So that we are strong…

Take the special moments to be just you.

Sorry, just as I was typing this, my gorgeous Springers asked to go in garden. So, I thought why not. We’ve just had a beautiful 10 minutes sitting in garden. Gentle cool breeze which is certainly appreciated during the heatwave. Listening to birds, walking passers by. Just being in the moment, stroking my lil cuties. It really helped to clear my head for a moment away from the mac. This helps us to reset, to think more clearly and get the creativity running again. And relax.

Anyway, where was I?

To back up my thoughts on the importance of taking time for myself, it is my birthday on Sunday and I’ve decided to take next week off work, yes for me. Haven’t had any real time off since April.

For months I have been researching into my family history and it has brought up a lot of interesting people. Much better than watching Who do you think you are, believe me. So on Sunday, I’m going to Stanford Hall, the ancestry home of my 8x Great Grandmother. Hopefully be going to Burghley House next week as this was home to my 10x Great Grand Uncle. Also meeting friends for Wellbeing Wednesday at Chesterhouse in Northants. There will be some dog walking and chilling with hubby too.

Hopefully will be chilled and feeling refreshed to start back in August, fully inspired and ready to go.

This completes my 5 lessons in 5 years. I hope you have enjoyed following and resonating with them. Perhaps realising your own similar lessons during the beautiful world of being self employed. Having strength knowing that we aren’t alone and there is someone out there understanding the trials and tribulations of working for ourselves. We are amazing people and should achieve what we want in life, but taking time for us, having clarity on who we are and and valuing what we do is so important.