Being a business owner is no small feat. Add motherhood, and you have an incredible workload. If one doesn’t set proper boundaries, self-care can become a practice of the past, and before you know it, burnout will have you.

As a designer, burnout has a huge impact on my creativity, a precious resource that keeps this business operating. So as you can understand,  it’s important for me to avoid arriving at this place of depletion. This is why I weave self care practices into my daily life. These can look different for everyone. My self care practices are ever evolving, and I often need reminders; to work at a more compassionate pace, to practice wellness so that I can give more abundantly out of a fuller cup.

Set boundaries

Working from home, means I can design at any time; the opportunity to work is always at my finger tips. Being highly motivated, it can be hard, not having a physical barrier to control those urges to get one more thing done, or to finish that one last task.

As well as taking two days away from the business per week, I don’t work past 9pm as a general rule. I know, that may even seem late to some but I do take the next hour to wind down from work, and prep for bedtime, so that I’m in a calm space when I finally do get to bed.

Take breaks

Taking regular breaks from work has been a lifesaver. As mentioned earlier, taking two days off per week, helps me to come back with renewed vigor and a fresh take on my design work. During the day, I take regular breaks from my work and typically spend it taking a walk or catching up with my husband while drinking herbal tea. These breaks are not easy for me to take as a busy individual, and it often feels much easier to skip them, opting for increased work output. However, from experience I know that not enough rest will eventually bring me to a place where I struggle with depleted creativity levels and that will only make things worse.

Enlist help

Accepting help from others can provide the necessary support and relief to avoid burnout. Delegating tasks to others (in the home and in my business) not only frees up my time and allows me to focus on tasks that require my unique skills and expertise, while leaving the rest up to capable team members, or in my case, my junior designer.

It’s important to take time alone, enjoy a drink, or journal to recharge my creativity and tend to my mental health. Having someone else to cover for me during these breaks means I can fully disconnect and return to work with renewed energy.

So in short, wellness practices are essential for entrepreneurs, especially for those who juggle multiple responsibilities like running a business and being a parent. It is vital to prioritize self-care and avoid burnout by setting boundaries, taking breaks, and enlisting help from others. Ultimately, entrepreneurs who prioritize their mental and physical wellbeing will not only improve their quality of life but also increase their creativity and productivity, leading to more significant success in their endeavors.