Yesterday, I was in the car with my partner on our way to our anniversary trip. And as Clark and I were laughing and goofing around (chewing gum for the first time in years) I had this sudden and intense pang of guilt.
I mean, are you kidding me?! Cramming all of my work into two days so that I could take the rest of the week off? And I’m guilty about it! Of course I am. Of course I am!
I love my business. I love my clients. I love my students. Of course I feel the pang of separation.
So there I was, my “responsible” brain screaming away in the background as we cracked jokes and excitedly talked about all of the friends, camping, and hiking coming up.
And as the “responsibility” yelled at me, I knew that reaction was exactly the reason it was so important to get out of Dodge.
Now, you could say I didn’t quite escape it because here I am, right before leaving civilization, sending this missive to you . . . but, whatever. I do, after all, love my business. It seems fitting that you get a piece of me in this time.
So for whatever it’s worth, just know that as you are growing your practice, it’s not a totally “clean” experience. What we grapple with as practice/business owners is exactly this.
There is no perfect “balance” between work-life and life-life.
A business requires deep inner growth – and any inner growth you do will inform your business. It’s all part of the same fabric.
So here’s to the beautiful disorientation of business owning and celebration . . . that complex semi-unfigureoutableness of putting our all into our business so we can have the space to leave it when we need to.
All my best . . .
Author Profile

- Isabel Spradlin has owned her full-time practice since 2007. She has a deep drive to help other massage therapists and bodyworkers to create thriving businesses for themselves. For comprehensive programs to help you do just that, see the 'Programs' tab in the menu.
Have a great time away!!!! BTW, I can’t believe you haven’t chewed gum in years! I love peppermint gum!!
Also, I really love the openness. I always have work on my mind, answering a text from a client while at a soccer game, a call while I am playing with my kids.
Thanks! 🙂 Peppermint was the kind I chose! What a coincidence.