Total Reset: How I Weathered The COVID Storm
Before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and forced my industry, and nearly every other, into lockdown, I already knew that I was in need of a break. To be blunt, I was burnt out. Yes – even holistic health professionals can overwork and overextend themselves! This can be especially true for small business owners like myself. The same week that the world seemed to shut down all around us, I was meant to be on a flight down to Arizona, on my way to lounging by the pool, hiking in the desert, and unwinding from the hustle. Obviously, that trip didn’t happen, and it turned out to be a major blessing in disguise. If there has been any silver lining from COVID-19, for me it has been the opportunity to simply sit and tune into my feelings. It was a chance to reevaluate life and my business!
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love what I do – but quarantine gave me the chance to get real about what I truly want out of life, connecting deeper to my passions and stimulating ideas for how I can better share them with you, my incredible clients and friends. Part of this reflection involved the necessary work of letting go of my tendency towards perfectionism, so that I could finally bring forward the changes I’d been dreaming of for way too long for my business! Read on to learn more about what’s new, what’s changed, and how my offerings (and my state of mind) are better than ever.
Forward Motion: What’s New At Sound Skincare
For longer than I care to admit, I’ve been dreaming of up-levelling my facial services for you. I’ve taken the time to enrich my training with new education modalities, new techniques, and fresh perspectives. I have felt for far too long that what I have to offer you and your skin is so much more than I was putting forward. With my new facial offerings, I’ve designed them in a way that allows me to call on every tool in my toolbox so that your skin gets the utmost best treatment for its individualized needs as possible. By structuring my pricing around time spent in treatment, rather than on showcasing individual techniques and tools, I now have the freedom as a practitioner to give you the most tailored service possible. You may come in expecting a standard facial, but I’m prepared to offer you every solution I have for your unique skin. Think: deep enzyme exfoliation, Gua Sha facial massage, followed by a Reiki energy clearing or ending with an LED treatment. The sky is truly the limit! Having time “off” from treatments during quarantine gave me the mental and physical time and space needed to execute a new service menu (and brand new website, more on that below!), AKA: fulfilling a longtime dream of mine to better serve you.
Speaking of up-levelling, the shutdown time also gave me the chance to focus on (finally!) building an online shop offering, so you can browse my curated selection of favourite skincare products. I worked on my new website DAILY, more driven than I’ve been in ages to improve my business. I love the idea that you can now purchase the products either used in treatment or recommended to you following a consultation, from the comfort of your own homes. You can take your time deciding which is right for you, and have fun exploring more products than I was able to offer before.
Of course, with all this time for reflection, I also recognized that in order to balance my new level of execution, and avoid any future burn-out like I experienced pre-COVID, I would need to reassess my work hours. Changing my schedule to 4 days a week has allowed me the time necessary for filling my own cup, to breathe, seek balance and rest, in order to be fully present when treating my incredible clients like yourself! I’ve been surprised what a huge impact this has had on me. And I continue to feel so fortunate that my clientele is 99% local – each and every one of you is so wonderful and your loyalty to me and this ever-evolving business are deeply felt.
What’s Next: Holistic Living Beyond COVID-19
As Sound Skincare approaches its 3rd anniversary (woohoo!) this coming October, I could not be more proud of where I’ve brought my business to today. To be honest, I didn't know how this little dream of mine would play out, or how far I would be able to take it, but this experience continues to teach me more than I could have ever anticipated, on both a personal and professional level.
While the COVID-19 situation continues to change and keep us all on our toes, I just wanted to share with you what has been helping me cope and thrive during such an uncertain time. Most importantly, I’ve been so grateful to be ‘stuck’ in a place like Tofino, surrounded by nature. I find that having space to ground myself has been key to making the most of this time. In addition to my environment, I’ve been focused on balance, boundaries, living more authentically, and approaching my work from a totally refreshed perspective. I’m reminded that beauty can be found everywhere – it’s in our interactions, our thoughts, and within ourselves. And because mindful beauty is my jam, my goal is to bring more of an inner beauty approach to my business. I want to help you to better see and bring forward what makes your skin glow from within. To operate authentically as a holistic practitioner, this is my clear focus moving forward. I’m excited to dive deeper and have my eyes on some new teachings this Fall that will enrich my new offerings even further.
Moving forward, let’s find strength in balance, simplifying our lives, and gratitude for the beauty all around and within us.