When Self Employment Leads to Self Care
Something crazy- next month is my one year anniversary as a full time business owner. June 2nd last year I walked out of my employer's doors with a weight off my shoulders and endless hope for what might lie ahead. I was optimistic almost to a fault, exhausted from the mental strain of the 9 to 5 and eager to be the best. I obviously was not the best and learned through many mistakes very quickly, but the scary and exciting part about that statement, is that I will never stop saying things like that. We never fully arrive, ready and full of the knowledge required for the task at hand. We must embrace failure and be ready for it.
We never fully arrive, ready and full of the knowledge required for the task at hand.
I think my favorite part about working for myself is the 'choosing' part. I have been able to build a business that cares about the details, tithes off every sale, and the best part, I get to make the schedule. The priorities I have actually get to take their place at the top where they belong and I don't know if I've experienced something like this before where there is so much freedom. Don't be fooled, I loose sight of that fact and can become overwhelmed and ungrateful for this gift. But, thankfully most of the time I think I manage to see it for what it is. A gift.
For a lot of my life I was always a follower of someone else. Which, for many years was very needed and I am grateful for it. But, at some point I think it did more harm then good. (Hello boundaries!) I didn't know how to make choices for myself and my schedule never was built with my spiritual or physical health in mind. Often, it was the mentality of "if you're not sacrificing everything and laying down your needs all the time, then you're not doing it right." I know, that's a bad way to phrase it, but you get the point.
It feels like this was the year I got to call the shots. There was time for me to get to know myself and learn what kind of schedule I operate the best in, not the schedule that necessarily works best for everyone else. Since we're all different, it makes sense that we all have different times of the day and work habits that allow us to thrive and excell. -I am a morning person, I do the most productive work in the morning and then when the afternoon hits, I get distracted from my work more easily, then by night time, unless there is a deadline to fuel some adrenaline, I hit the end of my rope and need to unwind and be sure to get like, 8 hours of sleep. But, not everyone else needs that type of schedule to operate at their best!
We all have different skill sets and we all have to take care of ourselves in different ways. I am so grateful for this business opportunity that has allowed me to get to know myself this year and actually do the work to create a lifestyle that sustains the things that I need. There is a balance to navigate between humility and taking ownership of your life to be sure that you are showing up at your best as often as you can. I say often, because no one can show up at their best every single day. The crap days live on too.
We all have different skill sets and we all have to take care of ourselves in different ways.
It's amazing what can happen when we take the leaps that present themselves in our lives. Yes, it is scary and there are no guarantees, but that's where it's nice having the grace of the Father their watching out for you and guiding the way. I understand I could not have made this path unfold for myself, He was leading and guiding and knew this day would come long, long ago. He is faithful to see things through and He's faithful in knowing exactly what I need and when I need it.
Despite the failures and the incredibly hard days this year of self employment has held, it has led to a year of understanding myself and realizing the huge need that was present for self care. Listen to your body, your soul, understand your non-negotiables and do not compromise.
He is faithful to see things through and He's faithful in knowing exactly what you need and when you need it.
I hope you can see that there are so many better things ahead, and so much peace in store for you to get your hands on.
Here's to all your many dreams and those quiet moments when you get to look back and see just how far you have come.