Reconnecting with Myself: What a Week Off Taught Me About Balance
After taking a much-needed break from the hustle of running a business, I rediscovered the joy of slowing down, nurturing myself, and reconnecting with what I love outside of work. In this reflection, I share what I learned during my week off—and why finding moments to pause is essential for long-term balance and wellbeing.
6/6/20252 min read
I recently took some time off and wanted to share a few reflections.
Balancing life as both a business owner and a contractor can be a lot, and I realized I was overdue for a real break. I didn’t fully grasp how much I needed it until I stepped away and had space to reflect.
During my time off, I kept just a couple of client sessions and handled a few hours of admin tasks—so I was off about 80% of the week. And that made a huge difference.
With more open time, I was able to return to the things I truly enjoy: drawing, coloring, running, playing pickleball, weight lifting, reading, cooking for fun, sleeping in, and catching up with friends and family. Stepping out of my constant “work mindset” felt incredibly rejuvenating. I slowed down and gave myself permission to move at a different pace—not rushing through every task to get to the next session or appointment.
I also had a chance to reflect on how much both I and my business have grown this year. I had the time and the mental energy to dive into creative projects, cook fun meals for myself and my husband, and even binge-read a long romance novel (which I absolutely loved!). I moved my body in ways that felt good—running, lifting, and playing pickleball—not out of obligation, but out of joy. I felt lighter. More like myself.
If you’re like me, you might know how easy it is to get wrapped up in work—how quickly it can become your whole identity. I try not to let that happen, but it’s hard to resist the constant pull of to-do lists, rescheduling reminders, and next steps. This break gave me a moment to pause. Time felt slower, and I cherished every bit of it.
I hope I can return to this post whenever I need a reminder: this is what life is about. Don’t get me wrong—I love what I do and the people I get to work with. But I also want to make space each day to nurture myself, especially during busy seasons. I want to center my life around the things I love outside of work, and let work fit in around them—not the other way around.
Finding that balance isn’t easy, and I don’t think anyone has it completely figured out. But we can keep trying. So here’s to making space to disconnect from work and reconnect with ourselves—every single day!
