As I am writing this post, we are about 3-1/2 weeks into our stay at home order in NH. This has given me a lot of time to slow down and do a lot of thinking about my business and my valued clients. One of my priorities in running my business has always been to help my clients relax, reduce stress and have healthier options for self-care to choose from. We make very important connections in the salon environment that many times hold more value than just the end result of the hair service. We share happy moments, sad moments, personal challenges, funny stories and just enjoy each others company. For some, this may be one of their few social interactions and they are so looking forward to their appointment.
Having been in the salon industry for over 30 years now, I have survived 2 recessions, a divorce, a housing crisis, single parenthood, a failed business partnership and yet this pandemic has brought my business and livelihood to a standstill. With each obstacle I knew I just had to work harder and put in more time to get through it, so I did. Not just one job, but two. I knew that I had no one else to count on but myself. So now what?
Through it all I have been blessed with amazing client relationships, some for 30 years now. It has warmed my heart to receive so many calls, texts and emails of clients checking in to make sure that I and my son are ok and offering to help in any way that they can. I am truly grateful.
Here's what I have learned.
It's ok to slow down. Being bored is a luxury. It's more important than ever now for us to really practice self-care. Pre-Covid that would look like a whole day at a spa , a weekend trip or 18 holes on a golf course. Post-Covid that looks more like sitting outside in the sun, listening to the birds with a cup of coffee and writing a blog (smile). Sharing a home cooked meal with your quarantined family. Reading a good book for the whole day. Planting some flowers outside. A peaceful walk. The point is....simpler, less expensive, slower. This slower pace is new territory for me but I have decided to embrace the positives and take care of myself and my son the best I can. Do things for myself that I never had time for before. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, organization, laughter on Zoom with friends and a glass of wine. It feels like a time to reset. Because it is.
Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and I hope you are finding ways to practice self-care at home. We will survive this. It will just take time. We are all in this together. I am already thinking of ways that I can make my business better for all of you when we are on the other side of this including more sanitizing and safety protocols and a more therapeutic experience (because we will need it :). We need to take care of each other.
With gratitude,
Jacki
P.S. - I hope you will enjoy these amazing artists that I find myself listening to on a daily basis for peace and serenity.