Working in a job that requires a lot of energy output, I really need to find a way to come back to myself. Finding that balance between the working life and personal can be hard. As a hairdresser, my relationship with my clients is one that has a lot of depth, trust and vulnerability. They open up to me with what they’re going through or have been through, and sometimes it can be heavy stuff. A lot of the time I’m one of the only people that they’ve told these things to, and my role switches from hairdresser to confidant, counsellor and friend.
I love my job. I love the relationships I have with my clients, I love that they feel safe enough with me to share such personal things. It can be a lot sometimes though. As I’ve matured through my career I’ve realised the importance of coming back to myself and leaving what I can at work.
I feel like a lot of women are in industries where their role is similar. We give our energy and listening ears to others, then we often go home to partners or children and give to them as well. It can feel extremely suffocating at times and that’s why it’s so important to adopt little routines and rituals into your everyday life, for you!
Taking care of my mental health and managing my stress levels has become super important. For me, I have my faith so it’s putting on some worship at the end of a hard day and a glass of wine while cooking dinner. I’m someone that needs a bit of me time every now and then so I make the most of those 10minute breaks between daily tasks. Sometimes it’s just sitting in the car in absolute silence before picking up kids, or a walk to a nearby shop just to browse as if I have all the freedom in the world. I always end my day with a herbal tea or hot cacao, and a chat and laugh with my man.
As a women my need to offload and feel heard is essential. I used to put this expectation on my partner as if that was his responsibility and role in our relationship. I realised it’s not his job, and the way he processes stress is so much different to how I do. Instead I make time to catch up with girlfriends or my mum to really let out the nitty gritty and get that deep conversation. I write lists, I try to keep a clean house so that I can think clearly (just like turning the music down in the car so I can see better), I have all of our payments go out on direct debit - all of these little things make a huge difference to the way I cope and how my day plays out.
I want to see women make time for themselves more and to find that balance amongst the chaos of their daily routines. If you feel like the scales have tipped and you’re losing yourself, I want to encourage you to write down all of the things you feel like you’re missing that bring you joy. I know most of us are time-poor so start with small rituals you can add in that will bring you some sense of freedom. Small changes can create big results!
