So, I’m 2 years into running a creative business and I feel like I’m just starting to really let go of feeling like its a short term thing! I’m more in love with this work than ever and I feel like I’m starting to stand stronger and really gain focus on where I want to take it! One fun way that has transpired is something that I’ve mentioned in a few interviews lately….my new ‘Company Policies’ (just saying it that way makes me giggle a bit, as its just me in my tiny East Vancouver apartment or the nearby cafe running this business…company policies make me think of offices and suits) but somehow saying it that way makes me feel like I have to do them!
Luckily, these policies are really centered around self-care.
I have two company policies:
Monday morning is journaling & goal setting time.
Friday afternoons are hiking time!
I know, fun right!
Since I don’t have a normal work week (and often work weekends) it feels like a way I can ground myself in the start and the end of the typical work week.
Monday mornings (and if not possible, at least sometime early in the week) I head over to one of my favourite cafe’s Little Nest with my journal. It feels good to have one place I go that I don’t use my computer and where it isn’t really the cafe culture to. Sometimes I’ll bring along a book I’m reading or something for research. Each week I try to make some goals for the week both energetically and monetarily. I also tend to make a priority to do list in my journal (even though I use TeuxDeux on my iPhone and computer for list making) but something about writing it down really feels right. Then I just let myself have some journal time to spill out whatever I need to. I love this time fiercely and am kind of amazed sometimes at what spills out into the journal. I think sometimes putting pen to paper frees our brain to create in a way that the computer doesn’t for me.
Fridays are hiking time! Sometimes I hike with friends but I try to make sure that I go alone too, because I find that these hikes clear my head like nothing else! I’ve had some great ideas for E-Courses wandering through the woods. It also just gets me away from my computer and moving, which feels amazing. On rainy fridays I’ll either go Saturday instead or I’ll replace it with more journalling time.
The thing I’m finding with both of these things is that they are just as important as sitting in front of my computer working. They are work. They make space for creativity to flow through pen and paper or through getting my mind away from internet-land and my body moving. They help me feel more ready to be productive when I do need to sit down in front of the computer and meet deadlines!
I might add some more policies in the future! These days I tend to get out on those photo walks at least once a week, which is vital! I might have to make it a company policy on rainy weeks too….as it feels so good to get out there and take photos even if I resist it at first!
Do you have some non-negotiable self-care built into your week?
Or some ‘company policies’ and I also think we don’t remotely need to have a business to build in these kinds of self-care acts into our week! What things can you do that would build in some self-care into your week? I highly recommend photo walks….even a short one around the block!