“Self care.”⁣⠀It’s a term we hear a lot as parents, business owners, and honestly just as people in general. We’re told to take care of ourselves first and make time for what we need to recharge and that’s all well and good. Truly. But, with everything going on lately, I’m the first one to say my self care has dwindled… not that it was all that great to begin with. And being a busy business owner certainly doesn’t make it any better. Unfortunately, the reality is that if we don’t take care of ourselves, we’ll find that we’re burnt out and no good to anyone else – or ourselves. That’s why I wanted to share a few easy ways to prioritize self-care as a business owner so that you can show up for yourself, your clients, and your business as a stronger and healthier you. 

Schedule time off first.

I’m a planner. I love calendars and agendas, plans, and schedules. And one of the best ways to make sure you don’t burn out and give yourself time to rest is to plan time off FIRST. That means when you sit down for your monthly or quarterly calendar time, the first thing that gets written down are days off or out of office. I’m not saying you have to take a grand vacation every time. But even just ONE day a month where you can kick your feet up and relax (or just sleep) is huge. And if you schedule it first, there’s absolutely no excuse that you can’t find time. It’s non-negotiable. 

Make time for something you love regularly.

This will look different for everyone. But make time on a regular basis for something you love. That may be your workouts or trying a new recipe. Maybe it’s taking time to read one chapter a night in your book. Whatever it is, carve out time outside your office and other commitments to do something for you. 

Stick to your boundaries.

If you have set office hours from 9-2 because that works with your family’s schedule, stick to them! I’m not saying never be flexible. But I’m saying don’t make yourself available 24/7 – even if you can. Create space in your life outside your office. Use that time to be with your family, relax, or just breathe. 

Stay ahead with work.

I know this tip can be tricky because again, life happens. But wherever possible, stay ahead with work so that if you need to take time off (planned or unplanned), it’s not a huge production. I’m literally the pot calling the kettle black here (frankly, it’s the nature of my work) but, it’s SO important to stay ahead so that you can take a breather when needed. Imagine the freedom to know that if you’re having a bad day, you can just stop and come back tomorrow. 

Prioritizing self-care as a business owner is really just about creating space and systems that work for you to allow for flexibility. And it’s remembering that while the work is GREAT, you are the most important thing. If you’re burnt out and at your wit’s end every single day, that won’t do anyone any good. Resting and practicing self-care (whatever that looks like to you) IS productive. And it’s time we stopped pretending otherwise.

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