Work/Life Balance

One of my most asked questions is how I balance my work life with my social life. I believe everyone has a different balance that works for them in their own way. It is up to you to decide how much work you can handle and when it is time to take a break. Sometimes certain goals push us harder and we forget to take time for ourselves. I believe it is crucial to take time for yourself, especially in the busiest times of your life.

Tackling any dream or goal will seem like it's consuming a lot of your energy. It is important to know when to step back and take a breather. Planning out smaller goals to help achieve your larger goal will break down the process and seem less stressful. Tackle smaller challenges day by day and you will wake up and be halfway there! Use these small goals as stepping stones towards your dream. Breaking down your plan and using time management to complete these steps will lead to a smoother ride. It is never a great idea to jump into something full force with no intentions or planning. You will crash and burn hard and fast. 

When life feels like too much and your dreams are failing, just take a step back. Look at where you started and where you are now. Always know success is not a linear line. There is no rush and it is okay to grow slow. Step back from your work and progress and analyze what needs fixed or changed. It is okay to take a short break to focus on yourself and other hobbies in the meantime. You may even draw new inspiration with your time away. 

The moment you begin to work on yourself you will notice who is actually there for you. It is important to know who supports your dreams and to surround yourself with those people. You will lose friends and that's okay. Only the people that really care about you will stick around and lift you up when you need it. Spend time with these people, share your ideas with them, and lean on them when you need it. You will not get through this journey alone and every ounce of support counts. 

When my brick and mortar opened I was open seven days a week. I knew I could handle it for a bit, but eventually I would need more time to focus on other things. I checked my numbers and saw Monday was our slowest day, so I decided to start closing on Mondays. This helped free up some time to balance my work and social life better. It also allowed me to be able to run errands and get a lot more done outside my store. When something starts to not work for you, adapt and adjust to what will. 

Always remember nothing is more important than your mental health. It is crucial to take care of yourself as much as you put into your work. There is no race to the finish and nobody was successful over night. Nourish your brain and it will do the rest for you.