How are doing? If you’ve followed me for a while, you know how passionate I am about self-care. It’s something I believe should be prioritized all the time, but if you’re like me, you might find it easier to practice when you tie it to a larger purpose—like your role as a business owner.
Self-care isn’t just a nice-to-have for entrepreneurs; it’s essential. As small business owners, the health of our business is closely tied to our own well-being. When I was a classroom teacher, I struggled with self-care. I’d often push through sickness and exhaustion because the systems around me made it more convenient to go to work than to take time off.
When I transitioned to self-employment, I realized how unsustainable those habits were. As a sole proprietor, I am my business. If I show up less than my best, the quality of service I provide suffers. And since I charge $80/hour for teaching services and $120/hour for coaching services, I owe it to my students and clients to give them my best—not my leftovers. For me, that means rescheduling when I’m not at my best and investing in my own well-being.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t know how to create sustainable self-care habits. My default mode as a teacher was survival during the school year and recovery in the summer. I’d set up self-care routines every summer, only to have them fall apart by October. (If this isn’t your experience, you’re a unicorn—please share your wisdom!)
After a lot of trial and error, I discovered a simple framework that has worked for me and many of the teacher-entrepreneurs I mentor: create two self-care practices—a short, daily practice you can commit to no matter what AND a longer, when-you-can practice you do when you have time to spoil yourself.
Here’s how I break it down:
Short/Daily Practice
Example: Walk outside while listening to a podcast (15 minutes)
Mind: Listen to a positive, inspiring podcast (no true crime!)
Body: Move through walking and stretching
Spirit: Engage with nature—notice birds, sunlight, wind in the trees
Long/When-You-Can Practice
Example: Yoga, meditation, journaling (1 hour)
Mind: Meditate
Body: Practice yoga
Spirit: Journal to reflect and process
There are two key components that make this work. First, these two practices are most effective when they intentionally care for your mind, body, and spirit. The second key? Recognizing that you—yes, YOU—are worth this time and care. It can be challenging for many of us to internalize that belief, so if it feels hard, pretend. Go through the motions until your mind and spirit catch up to your body’s actions.
It took me over a year of self-employment to figure this out, but it’s made all the difference. As someone who manages my own schedule, I’ve realized there’s no excuse not to take care of myself. When I prioritize my well-being, it benefits me, my business, my family, and the clients who trust me with their time and money.
If this resonates with you and you’d like help brainstorming your own self-care strategies, I’m here for you. Let’s talk about how you can start making self-care a sustainable part of your life and business.