Wow – so it has actually been over a year since I wrote a blog post, last Easter I was struggling with an AS flare which was pretty severe and I wrote about my current exercise and maintenance routine. This year, it seems the spring has inspired me in a different way and I have made some changes to my work routine. Following another conversation with a dear friend also going though some reassessments (and my coffee machine exploding this morning!), it prompts me to ask; how often do you “spring clean” your life??

Becoming self-employed has also ways been a motivator for me to really keep track of what I am doing because I am the one in charge of my time. The whole point is to be doing things your enjoy, working with individuals you like and creating space for self care around that work… it is for me, how about you? When was the last time (no matter your profession) that you really took stock of how you spend your time and is it worth it? Not only does it pay the bills because let’s be practical here, are you dreading your days and not doing anything about it? Have you outgrown an environment but too worried to let it go? Are you just going through the motions because you have commitments and actually you could be focused elsewhere?

It used to be an annual thing for me to sit down with my schedule and really look at what I am doing. I would maybe stop teaching a class that no longer inspired me or maybe there’s that one client who is unreliable or you just aren’t gelling with and need to separate from? In the massage world in particular, it’s such a personal business that the environment I am in and the people I give my energy to is of utmost importance. I don’t see my work as just a therapeutic rub-down, it’s more than that to me. It has to be a holistic experience from start to finish, for me this includes the environment being super clean, comfortable, quiet, private… all the things I really value as a client. Add into that having a chronic illness and how I work becomes even more paramount.

Over the past 2 years of being in Hong Kong, my environment has shifted and having to go back to work from a clinic where I have very limited control was super challenging for me. I was in someone else’s business and everyone has different priorities but giving up everything I places value on was very draining! Having to run my business under another set of standards caused some conflict at times without me realising but ultimately ended with my exiting swiftly stage left 2 weeks ago when it finally reached tipping point for me and it was clear it really wan’t working. Since then I have been back working from home, albeit in a tiny space but you know what? It’s fabulous. My clients get a reasonable rate because I am not having to pay away nearly half the fees in commission, my towels all match, my choice of background music is playing, there is no noise from others right outside the door so our conversation can be everything or nothing and it doesn’t matter, 10 minutes late in traffic, no problem because I don’t book people back to back! I’m dealing with enquiries myself within moments without having to be in clinic to respond or risk someone else taking over and giving confusing information, but most of all I am not out of the house for 10 hours just to work for 4! Some of that may sound very anal but I just think it’s a big part of what made me so successful in London and will continue to be a valuable part of my offering alongside the clearly excellent therapy itself!!

Saying all that, you can also now find me as part of the team at Central Wellness because some of my clients need a clinic location closer to their work but being in a bigger practice with a full team on hand is completely wonderful. I loved that balance of getting out the house at least once a week in London and I’m sure it will work great now too. It just has to be that, a balance. All or nothing rarely works and can often leave you exhausted either way, especially when it comes to managing your overall health.

On top of all this, I had had some family issues to deal with as well as continuing to struggle with keeping my AS under control while not allowing the medication to completely kill my immune system. I don’t think even fellow therapists really have a clue what it takes to stay healthy with an inflammatory condition, because I’m one of those who always “looks fine” – there is a whole other blog on that… I had to reduce my medication again several weeks ago as my white cells were dangerously low and the thought of having my pain worsen again was completely terrifying for me, but to my huge surprise and relief, giving myself permission to step back, change my environment to suit me and making sure I had time for my own yoga classes has meant the pain has not dramatically increased and I feel manageable! It was very much not so being in work so many hours.

Often when really focusing on being “successful” our health declines as we push forward, just striving for that next milestone. But when spring-cleaning your life or just your work schedule as a start, think about what that means. I had lots of comments when leaving that people hope I am on to “bigger and better things” but actually I am on to simpler and better things! I’m just working the way that works for me and usually, in my case, it doesn’t really affect my income regardless of always having the “fear”! I’m not on the blog or social media very much because I’m busy, just quietly plugging away in the background without feeling the need to plaster my workouts all over YouTube or try to build some annoying “brand”. If that’s what you like then good for you, all the luck in the world, but it’s just not any sort of motivation for me. Make space in your life for what you want to invite in, often forging on without taking stock can suck all your energy and take focus from potential new opportunities, or just a simpler, healthier, happier you.