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The Business Owner’s Guide to Self-Care: How I Stopped Neglecting Myself (and You Can Too)
Let’s be real— when you’re building a business, self-care often feels like a luxury reserved for people who have time. And if you’re anything like I was, the idea of carving out space for bubble baths or weekend getaways probably makes you laugh (or cry, depending on the week).
In the early days of my entrepreneurial journey, I was that person. Full-time job by day, business by night (and weekends, and holidays… you get the idea). Every spare second was funneled into growing my side hustle. I thought I was being productive but in reality? I was barely keeping it together.
Running on fumes isn’t a personality trait, but at the time, it felt like my whole identity. Sound familiar?
Fast forward a few years— and a handful of breakdowns— and things look very different. I won’t pretend I have it all figured out (self-care is still a work in progress), but the shift from where I was 4+ years ago to now? Night and day.
If you’re deep in hustle mode and feeling it, I see you. But let me say this louder for the people in the back— taking care of yourself does not mean you’re slacking. In fact, making self-care a priority is one of the smartest investments you can make in your business as a small business owner.
Let’s talk about why.
Why Self-Care As a Small Business Owner Felt Impossible at First
When you’re hustling to build something from the ground up, self-care feels like a line item that can wait. I told myself the same stories on repeat:
“I’ll rest when things slow down.”
“Once I hit [insert arbitrary goal], [insert arbitrary goal], [insert arbitrary goal], I’ll take a break.”
“Just one more project, and then I’ll schedule some time off.”
Spoiler alert: Things never slow down.
The truth is, if you’re waiting for the perfect time to take a break, you’ll be waiting forever. I kept hitting goals, but instead of resting, I moved the goalpost further. Hustle mode became a habit I couldn’t shake until I realized…
No amount of success feels worth it if you’re constantly exhausted.
It wasn’t until I physically hit a wall (hello, burnout) that I started treating self-care like the priority it should’ve been all along.
What Self-Care Looks Like for Me Now
Fast forward to today—self-care isn’t something I squeeze in between projects. It’s built into how I run my business. Some days it looks like productivity sprints, but others? It’s watching reruns of The Office for the 97th time because that’s the energy I have to give. And guess what? That’s okay.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what self-care actually looks like for me these days:
Email Notifications Stay OFF: This one was a game-changer. I don’t get email notifications on my phone. Ever. I check my inbox when I choose to, not when the world decides to hit “send.” This one shift stopped that constant on-call feeling and gave me permission to exist outside my inbox. If it’s urgent, they’ll find another way (but wanna know a secret? Rarely is anything ever a TRUE emergency— no one is dying over their brand or website if you don't get back to them in a couple of hours. Once I realized that, I felt a little silly for freaking out over every piece of client communication.
Guilt-Free Time Off: I used to think time off was something you “earned” after hustling hard enough. Now? I take breaks regularly— and I don’t feel guilty about it. I’ll close my laptop at noon some days, take spontaneous trips, or go for a walk just because I feel like it. And you know what? The business doesn’t crumble.
Self-Care Nights (Like, Non-Negotiable): At least once a week, I have a self-care night. Sometimes it’s skincare and a cozy robe, other times it’s just me, a glass of wine, and a book I probably won’t finish. The activity doesn’t matter—the intention does. That time belongs to me, and I protect it fiercely.
Girls Trips + Tech-Free Nights: Few things hit the reset button better than getting away for a weekend with friends—or just stepping away from screens for an evening. Disconnecting from tech fuels my creativity and keeps burnout at bay.
Boundaries (And Sticking to Them): Setting boundaries is easy. Sticking to them? Different story. I’ve learned to say “no” to clients who aren’t a good fit and “yes” to stepping away when my energy feels depleted. Boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re lifelines.
How Prioritizing Self-Care Has Actually Helped My Business
Here’s the plot twist no one prepared me for— my business has grown more since I stopped working around the clock and started prioritizing self-care.
Wild, right? You’d think stepping away, logging off early, or—gasp—actually taking vacations would slow things down. But the opposite happened. The more I started protecting my energy, the more my business began thriving.
And let me be clear— this wasn’t some overnight revelation. I didn’t suddenly start meditating for 30 minutes every morning and wake up to doubled profits (though, that would be nice). It happened gradually, but consistently, as I made small, intentional shifts.
Here’s why I believe it works:
I Show Up Better
When I’m rested and not drowning in a sea of deadlines, I show up like the CEO my business actually needs. I’m sharper in client meetings, more engaged in strategy sessions, and I bring way more creativity to design projects. Ideas flow easily, and I make decisions with clarity instead of second-guessing myself every five minutes.
On the flip side, when I’m exhausted, I notice everything suffers— my focus, creativity, and even my confidence. I overthink simple things and lose the ability to trust my instincts. That’s when mistakes happen. And let’s be honest, fixing mistakes caused by burnout is way more time-consuming than just resting in the first place.
Creativity Thrives When I’m Not Overworked
I don’t know about you, but my best ideas rarely show up when I’m glued to my desk for eight straight hours. They come when I’m sipping coffee on the porch, taking a long walk, or doing something completely unrelated to work (sometimes mid-shower, naturally).
When I let myself breathe, the creative floodgates open. Projects that once felt overwhelming become exciting. Branding concepts and web designs feel more inspired. I’m not forcing ideas—I’m letting them come to me, and that’s when the best work happens.
Creative work needs space to exist. If I’m constantly running from task to task, my creativity gets buried under the weight of to-do lists.
Decision-Making is 10x Better
When I’m well-rested, decisions that once felt heavy or anxiety-inducing become second nature. I’m quicker to spot red flags, faster to pivot when necessary, and more confident in setting boundaries with clients.
A clear mind leads to better leadership and faster, smarter choices. I’m able to delegate, set priorities, and move through projects without micromanaging every detail. This clarity alone has helped me scale my business in ways I never could have imagined back when I was running on fumes.
Clients Respect Boundaries (The Right Ones, Anyway)
Here’s a little secret I wish I had learned sooner— the clients you actually want to work with? They respect your boundaries.
The ones who throw a fit when you don’t answer an email at 10 PM or expect immediate turnarounds for non-emergencies? Those aren’t your dream clients. They’re energy vampires in disguise.
When I started setting clear boundaries—office hours, email response times, and realistic project timelines— two things happened:
My clients respected me more for being upfront and organized.
The clients who didn’t respect boundaries naturally phased themselves out.
Now, I attract clients who appreciate the value I bring without expecting 24/7 access. And working with clients who respect your time? Game. Changer.
I Stopped Associating Success with Exhaustion
For the longest time, I wore exhaustion like a badge of honor. I thought if I wasn’t constantly working, I wasn’t trying hard enough. But let me tell you— being busy doesn’t always mean being productive.
Once I stopped glorifying the grind, I realized success isn’t measured by how late I stay up editing or how many weekends I sacrifice for client work. Success, for me, looks like a thriving business and time to enjoy the life I’m building.
Rest doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. It means you’re stepping into a rhythm that actually works for you, not against you.
And Let’s Be Honest— Burnout Costs More
If you need a purely logical reason to prioritize self-care, here it is: Burnout is expensive.
It costs you in productivity, creativity, and sometimes even clients. When burnout hits, your capacity shrinks, your quality dips, and eventually, your revenue takes a hit.
Taking breaks isn’t indulgent— it’s a cost-effective way to keep your business sustainable long-term.
The Real ROI of Rest
Since shifting my mindset around self-care, I’ve noticed actual, measurable growth—not just in revenue, but in the quality of work I produce and the clients I attract. I’m no longer working just to keep up. I’m working intentionally, with purpose and clarity.
And the biggest win? I’m actually enjoying the process.
So, if you’ve been holding off on prioritizing yourself, let this be your sign— your business will grow when you grow. Rest is part of the job. Embrace it, and watch the transformation unfold.
Why You Can’t Afford to Skip Self-Care
If you’re reading this thinking, “I’ll focus on self-care later,” consider this your sign— later isn’t the move.
You have to make the time. Your productivity, creativity, and sanity depend on it. Burnout wrecks productivity. Stress kills creativity. And a tired, overworked you isn’t the version your clients need.
Take the break. Your business will survive.
How to Start Prioritizing Self-Care Today
I get it— saying you’re going to “focus on self-care” sounds great in theory, but when it’s time to actually step away from the laptop or silence your phone, things get tricky. Where do you even start?
The answer: small, intentional shifts.
Self-care doesn’t have to mean lavish vacations or entire days spent meditating in the forest (unless that’s your thing— then, by all means). It starts with tiny, manageable tweaks to your daily routine that add up over time.
Here’s how you can ease into prioritizing self-care without overhauling your entire life.
1. Silence One Notification
Let’s start with the easiest win—turn off one notification. Just one.
I know it sounds simple, but constant dings, pings, and banner alerts create this low-level anxiety that’s always humming in the background. You don’t even realize how much it’s draining you until it’s gone.
Where to start:
Turn off email notifications on your phone (yes, the whole inbox).
Silence social media alerts. Instagram will survive without notifying you about every like.
Mute work-related Slack channels or apps after hours.
Unsubscribe from that flood of promo emails you never open anyway.
Every notification you silence is one less thing pulling at your attention. And here’s the kicker—you’ll check your phone way less. Suddenly, you’re not reacting to everything in real time, and it’s wildly freeing.
✨ Pro Tip: Start with email. Trust me.
2. Pick One Self-Care Habit (Weekly, No Excuses)
I used to think self-care meant hours of yoga or luxurious spa days. And while I love a good face mask moment, most of my self-care now looks a lot simpler—things like reading for fun, journaling for ten minutes, or taking a walk without my phone.
The key? Consistency.
Pick one self-care habit you can commit to once a week and treat it like a client appointment. No rescheduling, no flaking. This time belongs to you.
Ideas to get you started:
Solo Coffee Date: Take yourself to a café with zero agenda.
Self-Care Night: Skincare, candles, a glass of wine—whatever feels indulgent.
Tech-Free Evening: Power down your devices by 7 PM and unwind screen-free.
Creative Outlet: Try painting, knitting, gardening—something just for fun (not profit).
Movement: Go for a nature walk, dance around your living room, or stretch for ten minutes.
The goal isn’t to transform your life overnight— it’s to create tiny rituals that give you something to look forward to each week.
3. Take One Day Off (Fully. No “Just Checking In.”)
This one can feel like pulling teeth, but I promise it’s a game-changer.
Choose one day (yes, a whole day) to completely unplug from work. I mean it— no quick email checks, no “I’ll just reply to this one thing,” and no “I’ll work for a few hours in the morning and call it a day.” That’s not a day off, my friend.
The world will not crumble if you don’t answer emails for 24 hours. But you? You’ll feel like a new person when you come back refreshed and recharged.
If a full day feels impossible right now:
Start with a half-day. Maybe a Saturday afternoon or a weekday morning.
Plan in advance—wrap up deadlines the day before and set an out-of-office message.
Schedule activities that force you to disconnect (like a hike, beach day, or road trip).
You’ll be shocked at how much mental clarity one real day off can bring. And guess what? Your inbox will still be there when you return.
4. Say No to One Thing That Doesn’t Align with Your Energy
You know that thing you agreed to that immediately made you groan afterward? Let’s say no to more of those.
Saying no isn’t about being rude or difficult—it’s about protecting your energy and focusing on what truly matters. Whether it’s a project that doesn’t light you up or a social event you feel obligated to attend, declining something that doesn’t align is a form of self-care.
How to say no (without guilt):
For projects: “I’m at capacity right now, but I’d love to connect in the future!”
For social invites: “I appreciate the invite, but I need to recharge this weekend.”
For clients: “I’m not the best fit for this, but I can recommend someone amazing.”
It’s not about shutting everything down— it’s about reclaiming time and energy for things that fuel you instead of drain you.
✨ Pro Tip: Practice saying “Let me think about it.” You don’t owe anyone an immediate yes.
Bonus: Track How You Feel
This is something I started doing quietly, and it blew my mind. Each week, I reflect on how I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not in a “dear diary” way (unless you want to), but just a simple check-in.
Was I exhausted by Thursday?
Did I feel overwhelmed by client work?
Did I have fun at any point this week?
The patterns are telling. You’ll start noticing where burnout creeps in and where those tiny self-care wins are paying off. Adjust as needed—self-care is fluid, and the goal is progress, not perfection.
Final Thoughts: Rest is Part of the Hustle
Let’s set the record straight— self-care isn’t something you “earn” after hitting every goal. It’s not a luxury reserved for the ultra-successful or something to squeeze in when everything else is done.
It’s part of the job.
If you’re still in that non-stop hustle, waiting for the “right time” to rest, let me be the friend who gently taps you on the shoulder and says: That right time isn’t coming until you make it happen.
I know the fear— slowing down feels like falling behind. It whispers, “If you take a break now, everything might fall apart.”
But let’s flip that for a second... What if resting is the thing that actually keeps it all together?
When you pause and recharge, your creativity sharpens. Your energy replenishes. You start making decisions from a place of clarity instead of exhaustion. Clients notice the difference. Your work improves. You improve.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you care less about your business. It means you care enough to make sure you’re around for the long haul.
So, here’s your reminder— the world (and your business) will still be here when you get back. Take the break. Close the laptop. Let that inbox sit quietly for a little while.
Your business needs a CEO who’s rested and ready— not running on fumes. 🫶🏼
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