Rest? What's That?

Over the last four years of running my business, I've been pretty much nonstop. I've taken small breaks here and there, but never for very long because I was always worried that if I slowed down, everything would fall apart. Cause as it turns out, there’s no one to pick up the slack when you’re a one woman show.

Working one on one with the amazing women who trust me with their health is the work that I am passionate about. Sitting with women, listening to their stories, and creating customized herbal protocols to support them, while helping them reach their goals, THAT part of this never feels like work to me.

But running a business is so much more than seeing clients.

SO. MUCH. MORE. 

It's website updates, social media content, networking, newsletters, events, bookkeeping and about a thousand other behind the scenes tasks that nobody really sees. If you are a solo entrepreneur you know exactly what I mean, the to-do list never ends. 

And then, earlier this year, I also decided to launch an herbal tea brand, which added so much more to my already busy schedule. I was working more than full time, nights and weekends included, and I was exhausted.

The truth is, I burnt myself out.

So this summer, I made a decision that honestly felt uncomfortable at first. I stopped. Not completely, but I let go of everything that wasn't essential.

I still saw clients. But I stepped away from the constant social media content. I stopped attending most in person events. I paused this newsletter for the first time in over two years. And I put the tea business on hold. 

And I tried to slow down, and REST.

I worked on things around my house that had been getting overlooked. I read more books, went on more walks, and spent time in my yard. I found some peace in these mundane tasks. And I finally had some extra space to breathe for the first time in a long time, and it kinda felt like I was giving up at first. But then I realized it was exactly what I needed. 

I needed to remind myself of why I do this work in the first place. If you lose sight of your why, the rest of it can get extremely overwhelming very quickly. 

As women, we're often so good at taking care of everyone else that we forget to check in with ourselves. We keep pushing, keep producing, keep showing up, even when we're running on fumes. And we can get lost in that. 

And as good as I am at reminding the women I work with to rest and slow down and make sure they are nourishing their mind and body, sometimes it is hard for me to remember I need this too.

This summer was a good reminder that rest isn't something we have to earn. It's something we need. So if you've been feeling stretched thin lately, consider this your reminder to check in with yourself too. 

As for me, I'm still here, easing slowly back in and hopefully finding a new pace that works better for me and my nervous system.

With love,

Danielle