I am writing this from the perspective of being a self-employed counsellor and crystal healing practitioner. Since June 2020 I have run a small private practice in the Bridgend area of South Wales called Dimensional Therapies, and I know only too well the draw to be ‘open all hours’ to ensure my business succeeds. My words speak directly to those within the healing profession but there may be something here that could be helpful to all small business owners or anyone who works from home.

You have probably heard the phrase ‘you cannot pour from an empty cup’. Well in fact you can, and some might admit that they do, but you are doing yourself a dis-service if you choose to. What I want to say here is that whatever you offer as a business owner, you are important too. I would even go so far as to say that it is our duty to honour and respect our own boundaries so that we can promote longevity within our profession. The bottom line is that you cannot share the full power of your greatest gifts if the energy within you is depleted. You deserve to be here, happy, healthy, wealthy and wise.

I use the word boundary here not as a barrier but as the creation of a safe space between your professional and personal worlds. It is a place to rest and restore, to embrace your needs, to take a breath. Boundaries are known and need to be shared, they are not secretive little places to go and hide. If we don’t communicate our boundaries how are others meant to know? Boundaries are safe spaces that honour and promote human and spiritual needs, compassion and respect. I have created some boundaries that work well for me, some of which may be helpful to you, but it is important to consider what your own may look like.

• Having a separate telephone for work. This prevents me from engaging in work tasks when I am enjoying some downtime. I keep this phone in my office referring to it as my immobile mobile.
• I keep dedicated workspaces. As I work from home it would be all too easy just to ‘pop in’ so when I am not at work, I keep those doors closed.
• I share with my clients how they can contact me to arrange a session/treatment and when they can expect a response. I don’t keep regular working hours, so it is important to me that I share this to manage expectations.
• I encourage my clients to keep a journal or notes between sessions/treatments and to bring them to their next session/treatment. My client’s experiences are important to me, and I want to give them the time they deserve. I explain that I am not able to give their words the attention they deserve between sessions via text, email or voicemail.
• I create space between clients to take a short walk and do some breathwork exercises. I do this to allow myself to recognise and release any emotions I may be carrying following my client work.
• Choosing days and times to upkeep my social media presence for marketing and promotion. This can be a tough one to manage since there are ‘rules’ that these platforms like you to adhere to so that you can achieve maximum presence and top rankings. Pick what works for you and your business.

Once boundaries have been established, it is important to consider how these will be upkept, could the immobile mobile suddenly become mobile? Could you find yourself spending ‘just one more hour’ on social media? If your boundaries are too rigid, change them, play around and reach a workable compromise. Remember also to revise your boundaries as your business changes and to respect and honour any changes in your personal circumstances.