It’s an area that I’ve had to remind myself that I should prioritise. In my 20 years I’ve definitely swerved business burn out (twice), avoided near personal breakdown and am now navigating my way through the emotional, physical and mental challenge of the oh so fun menopause all whilst caring for an elderly Mother (in a care home). At times, whatever the circumstances, it can feel a lot. Over time I’ve learnt that it’s important to make well-being a top priority in order to excel. Here are four self-care tips that might help you thrive, flourish, and lead your bridal business (and team) towards more success;

 

1. Prioritize Your Physical Health

Your boutique thrives when you’re at your best and that starts with your physical and mental health. Regular exercise, a balanced and nutritious diet, less alcohol plus enough sleep are foundational for maintaining energy and focus. Obvious right? But how many of us are really working on this properly? Studies show that exercise improves cognitive function and reduces stress, making you better equipped to handle the challenges of entrepreneurship and any personal problems or hiccups that you face.

 

Suggested Tip: Schedule daily movement and know that even a 30-minute walk can clear your mind. Park the car further away from work, buy a fit-bit to monitor steps, commit to yourself that you are going to move more and save the wine for the weekends!

 

Why It Matters: A study by the American Psychological Association found that 62% of small business owners experience heightened stress. Regular exercise and a focus on these things can be a powerful antidote and will help you to navigate the stress that business ownership brings. Don’t forget mental health - finding an outlet for your emotions is key especially in an environment such as ours which requires positivity and good energy at all times.

 

2. Set Boundaries

It’s easy to blur lines between work and your personal life when you’re passionate about business and you need every single appointment and sales opportunity. Yet, constantly being “on” and ‘’available’’ can lead to burnout. Setting clear boundaries protects your energy and ensures you’re fully present both at work and at home.

 

Suggested Tip: Designate specific work hours and social media response times and stick to them. Turn off email and social notifications after these hours. STEP AWAY from your phone or even better, literally switch it off and definitely charge it downstairs so that it is not the last and first thing that you do. Buy an old school alarm clock if needed.

 

Why It Matters: Studies show that entrepreneurs who maintain a good work-life balance are 30% more likely to report higher satisfaction and success in their business life so learning to switch off is very important. Boundaries also means learning to say “no” to tasks or events that don’t align with your goals. Learn to consider carefully the best use of your time. Become more selfish if you need to and prioritise and allocate your time more carefully.

 

3. Nurture Your Creativity and Positivity

The bridal industry thrives on inspiration, innovation and positivity! To remain ‘on it’, you need time to recharge your creative and emotional batteries. Creativity and positive energy doesn’t just come from work-related activities; it often sparks during moments of relaxation and exploration.

 

Suggested Tip: Dedicate time for hobbies and interests that you love which are unrelated to your business, such as painting, reading, traveling, gardening or socialising.

 

Why It Matters: Neuroscience Pro’s teach us that engaging in creative and relaxing activities enhances our problem-solving skills as well as reducing stress - both crucial for business success and management of pressure.

 

4. Practice Gratitude and Celebrate Wins—Big and Small

Entrepreneurs are often so focused on “what’s next” that we forget to celebrate the milestones and can often flash past the moments without really stopping to acknowledge them or enjoying the feeling of being happy and grateful about what’s occurred. Recognizing achievements keeps you motivated and reminds you why you started your journey in the first place.

 

Suggested Tip: Create a “win wall” in your shop’s office and / or if you are into journaling create a section where you document your successes, whether it’s hitting your sales target or receiving a heartfelt thank-you from a bride. Practice gratitude either by writing a grateful list at the end of the day, journaling it in detail or verbally saying out loud what you’re grateful for.

 

Why It Matters: Positive reinforcement builds momentum for tackling future goals for yourself and your team. Being more grateful / practicing gratitude is a really positive and uplifting way of being, it can make your life feel more enjoyable. Try and practice this with your team where it feels relevant or appropriate.

 

5. Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Your mind is powerful. How and what you think about it will (in my opinion) directly affect you level of success and happiness. Where you are at in life is a reflection of what you have thought about, focused on and the aligned action that you have taken. With this in mind it’s important that you are thinking positively, happily and striving for success. A positive and focused mind which focuses more on the present (and not the past or future) is less anxious and less depressed, this is called ‘mindfulness’.

 

Suggested Tip: Study mindfulness through books or podcasts and learn to be more ‘present’ more often. On average we humans think approx. 70, 000 thoughts a day and some of us believe that those thoughts could be directly helping or inhibiting your potential in life. Training yourself to become more mindful and thinking in the ‘now’ as well as letting go of that (and those) which we cannot control reduces stress and boosts happiness.

 

Why It Matters: You have one life which (if you are feeling anything like me) is flying by. You have the chance to live a meaningful and happy one and this (many experts would say) starts with the mind and how you think.

 

Self-care isn’t a luxury; it should be a necessity for us entrepreneurs. By prioritizing your health, setting boundaries, nurturing creativity, taking care of your mental health and celebrating your wins, you’ll not only sustain your business but also enjoy the journey. The bridal industry thrives on passion and energy so you need to make sure you are fuelling yours.

 

Remember a flourishing business starts with a thriving you! Good Luck.