We asked some of the most productive entrepreneurs and creatives out there to open up to us about the role self-care plays in boosting their effectiveness.
Katie Hughes
For self-care I usually will go shopping with my friends and we will go eat lunch or dinner. If they are not available, I will go tanning at the salon and will go get coffee and will just ride around listening to my playlist. Self- care is so important to me because of my career is to take care of other people and their hair as that is what I do for a living. So, I forget to take care of myself. But I’ve learned to make time. Read more>>
Gina M Barrett
Some may think I do too much self care, but for me it’s absolutely necessary for my mental health, creativity and most of all my mood.
My first jobs were working outdoors and exercising. I led nature hikes for a living. When I got my first office job in my late 20s, I had an hour lunch break. Knowing what my body needed, I used this time to take walks in nature, swim at the nearby pool or ice skate at the park. My coworkers sat at their desks for lunch. I always came back fresh and in a great mood for an afternoon of work. Read more>>
Bitten/destiny Miranda
My self-care has been a journey! It is very normal for self-care to take on many forms as we move though life. Self-care needs to be meaningfully recharging, nourishing, and self supportive. My self care consists of trips to bodies of water, like my favorite beach or local lake. Connecting to water allows me to feel held by Mother Earth in a way that helps me zoom out existentially, and practice compassion. On a more feasible scale, spirit washes/cleanses to recall my energy, turn inward for energy check ups & healing, and attend to my physical body. Self-care, for me, is also things like settling into human pleasures, like nutritious meals, movement such as yoga or dance, sex & intimacy, or socializing. Maintaining or attending to my space when I am able allows me to set up my future self for an easier more successful time. Read more>>
Daniel Cohen
Over time I learned that in order to be effective at what I do whether that’s practicing, writing, playing a gig etc. I have to make sure that I take care of the basic things I need to function. So trying to get enough sleep, eating properly as much as I can and even scheduling time to rest between projects or gigs. Read more>>
Meg Watt
My self care regimen erected from experiencing debilitating back flares. I tried over 40 different healing modalities and found what works perfectly for me. Some of my top modalities include: sound healing, meditation, massage, mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, journaling, sauna therapy, and talk therapy. I went from being debilitated by my back (at one point, I went from a wheelchair, to a walker, to a cane), to hitting a golf ball over 200 yards off the tee (average distance for women is 150 yards). This self care has been amazing for not only my physical life, but also my emotional life. I’ve been able to pay off debt, lose weight, cultivate amazing friendships, approach my work life balance completely differently and have a thriving marriage. Read more>>
Sara Love
There is a sticker on my water bottle that states “I run to burn off the crazy.” And it is true. For me, my crazy typically tends toward the depressed and anxious blues and running/hiking is my primary method for improving my mood. It is my self-care in many ways. I realize that this is not the typical “self-care” that one sees advertised in stores of the mani-pedis, massages, candles, etc. And I get it, the passive feel-good self-care activities can feel great and can be necessary for folks, but for me it is performative and does not provide the restorative activity I need so I can be at my best. My self-care tends to be solo and physical in nature such as running, hiking, or brisk walking. Read more>>
Carlos J Castillo
Many things! A good friend of mine likes to say “health is wealth.” Starts with the toughest part, getting enough sleep. In the wild world of America, especially with the advent of the internet, business never sleeps. Being a driven person I find it essential to make calculated decisions on when to wind down at night. In my earlier days I would write, rehearse, and study til the wee hours of the following day. Being older now, as well as a father, it’s just impossible to be in the spirit of success not having rested and eaten properly. Read more>>
Colie Taylor
Self-care has always been a priority for me, and as an artist, I’ve found it to be absolutely essential. To stay focused, take creative risks, and persist through challenging projects, I need to be in the right headspace. My self-care routine includes daily exercise, journaling, practicing gratitude, and ensuring I get enough rest.
Running every day keeps me grounded and calm, it’s a time to clear my mind and recharge. We’re fortunate to have a gym nearby with childcare, which makes it easy to maintain this habit even with a busy schedule. I also take a few moments each day to write down gratitudes and reflect on the positives in my life. This simple practice helps me stay centered and appreciative.
Good sleep is another cornerstone of my routine. To keep up with my painting schedule, I wake up at 5 a.m. every day, so I prioritize going to bed early. My husband and I share a cup of tea in the evenings as a way to unwind and prepare for the next day. Read more>>
Ashlea Piefer
For me, self-care is a pivotal, non-negotiable practice to maintain presence with the subtle fields of energy. That presence is how we shift the world around us. It’s the contribution we make to the whole. We become the change we wish to see. See care for me is self study of the subtle fields of energy.
For someone like me, who works in energy, frequency, and vibration—tuning into the secrets of the universe—self-care is about harmonizing myself into a peaceful state through solitude. I spend time alone with my thoughts, noticing energy and emotion (which is, in fact, energy in motion) as it flows through my body. I observe where that emotion resides and how it impacts me. Read more>>
Cutter Ray Palacios
Ever since I was a teenager, I struggled with a behavioral addiction known as workaholism. When I talk to people about workaholism, they tend to laugh and joke about how they are one as well. I then have to explain that I am serious and go to Workaholics Anonymous, a 12 step program that is for those struggling with an unhealthy relationship with work or perfectionism.
For most of my life I have been told how resilient I am or how much fortitude I have because of how I have pushed through adversity to achieve some goal. This was often at the cost of myself. I have lost jobs, relationships, connections, and more opportunities than I realize because I failed to take care of myself. Read more>>
