5 min read

Side Hustles Require Self-Care ⚡️ The Destiny Architecture Blueprint for 8/22/22

I'm about to tie this all together and wrap a neat little bow on it 🎁 and you're going to ask yourself 7 questions to help you establish a better self-care routine.

Let's get started!

I remember it well, the day I had the a-ha moment.

I was burning the candle at both ends attending junior college, working, and slaving away at that non-paid thing we encourage kids to do—my internship—at the college radio station.

My activities made up a seven-day-a-week schedule that only an 18-year-old could keep.

One day, I decided to do yoga, meditate, and give myself a facial (a drugstore face mask) before the "schedule" kicked in.

That day went amazing.

I felt terrific. A classmate told me I had a glow. I powered through the day. I had found the secret!

When you take care of YOU first, success follows

This is my personal belief, based on that day (and thousands of days since).

Anytime I've ever felt "unsuccessful," or in a rut,  it's been my litmus test to ask myself this:

• Am I taking proper care of myself?

• Am I paying myself first? (This is not just a monetary question, but am I giving myself what I need first before I do for others?)

• Have I allowed myself rest?

• Have I been prioritizing self-care?

• Have I been engaging fully in my practices of Reiki, meditation, and yoga?

When I feel "off," usually the answer is "no" to some or all of these questions. It happens to us all. It's very easy to think we have to work or produce all the time.

I took the leap into becoming my own boss in May 2021. I've seen the old me pop up a few times since then. She likes to work and work. Old Me will prioritize work thinking that hard work will surely lead to success.

But Old Me is wrong as hell.

The reason I became my own boss was to prioritize my health—not to become yet another asshole boss who cracks a whip.

Otherwise, what is the point!?

When you're a creative person and/or knowledge worker (like me) you're going to require self-care a little more than most. It takes a different energy to be creative than it does to be a factory worker.

It's the same for healing career paths—you need to pour a little more into yourself than those who don't take care of others for a living.

As for whatever career you're working + a side hustle? It gets even trickier because this means you have even less free time than most people. You have the crazy idea to keep working after the bell rings.

As most clock out and check out, you're still going. You're going to make that dream happen, dammit!

I've been there. It's so easy to get caught up in that 40-hour workweek + side hustle + whatever obligations you also have. Then—bam—another week begins, and where did the time go?

Where is the time that you take for yourself?

While self-care will look different for all of us, here's what it looks like for me.

I schedule it. (Because if it doesn't get scheduled, it doesn't get done).

8:30 am is when I attend online sadhana with my meditation classmates Monday-Friday. I leave it on my calendar for Fridays & Saturdays too, just to remind myself to stay in the routine.

3:00 is when I exercise. (Yoga is a moving target with many variables).

My iCal reminds me with alerts. Sure, some days I oversleep and miss my meditation with the crew. There are days I work out not at 3:00 pm because of...whatever.

My new routine is to go to a gym to workout 🏋️‍♀️ and I'm excited about this. One day, I couldn't wait to go, so I went at 1:oo pm. (Nerd alert).

My biggest goal here is to just make these practices a daily habit. If I miss, I miss. I don't need to make up some story in my head about it. "OK, I didn't go to the gym today. But did I take care of myself? How so?"  

Keeping daily reminders in my calendar helps me keep these commitments to myself. Will this work for you? I don't know. The trick is to find what does.

7 questions to help you establish your self-care practice:

  1. What can you do consistently each day?
  2. What can you schedule into your calendar 🗓 each day to do as a self-care practice? Maybe different practices on different days?
  3. What form of self-care can you do that makes you feel refreshed?
  4. What form of self-care can you do that makes you feel inspired?
  5. What form of self-care can you do that makes you feel relaxed? As in, what can help you calm your nervous system?
  6. How can you hold yourself accountable for practicing your self-care daily/weekly/monthly?
  7. How can you start small and build up with a self-care practice? (If time is an issue).

When you pour into yourself first, everyone around you benefits. When you pour into yourself first, you bring the best energy to all you do. When you pour into yourself first, many things you are procrastinating on will feel like less of a chore.

Save Your Spot for Reiki in Wichita THIS SATURDAY 8/27 at White Dove!

Receive 25 minutes of Reiki for $40 in Wichita at White Dove on the final Saturday each month.

This month, Reiki Sessions are on August 27 from 11-4!

You can call White Dove to book (316-262-3683), simply walk into the store that day, or you can reserve your time online (and pay ahead) by booking at this link.

Life Coaching Sessions Are Also Available!

This is my way of offering coaching sessions once a month at a deep discount—and in person—at White Dove. This is ideal if you're new to coaching, want a limited amount of coaching (as in just once a month for 1/2 an hour), or can't afford the full cost right now due to economic hardship.

Like Reiki, the coaching sessions will be 25-30 minutes for $40. You will leave with ONE actionable step you can take towards changing your life for the better. (I will follow up to make sure you take that step, too).

Make it a great week and remember:

YOU are the architect of your own destiny!

-Heather Larson, Certified Coach & Usui Reiki Master

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And so it begins… #apookyseason #walmarthaul2022 #wildfridaynight

♬ Spooky Ooky - NotYeti