Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1495571
New member benefit! Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 81 CREATING BOUNDARIES You've likely been told before to find balance, and that's great advice. But in this demanding industry, it doesn't always feel possible. There's no way you're going to have an appropriate work-life balance every day. However, if you set proper boundaries, you can protect yourself and find a sense of peace and harmony, even on days when things don't go as planned. Boundaries might look like taking days off, but boundaries don't have to be all or nothing. On some days, it could mean tacking on another shift to spread out your workload. It might mean putting on your boss hat and letting go of someone who's been underperforming, or it could be not engaging with others at all and staying away from workplace chatter that can bog down your mind and your mood. But most times, it looks like just learning how to say no. In my career, I have practiced setting good boundaries, but I have also failed at times and found myself in positions where I was physically and mentally worn out—my mind, body, and soul drained of energy. In my nearly 20-year career, I have learned that one of the most important skills an esthetician can master is setting boundaries. By putting this into practice, I can ensure my body and mind stay sharp long into my career. Here are some ways you can establish boundaries and reinforce self-care in your life: • Block out time for yourself. • Be consistent with self-check-ins via journaling, meditating, working with a therapist, or simply pausing for a moment to ask yourself how you're doing—and answer honestly. • Create a ritual for yourself between appointments to reset your intentions (this is not only for you but also for your clients). • Take care of your body by making time for massage, bodywork, yoga, and/or acupuncture visits. • Take any prescribed medications and vitamins. • Keep a balanced diet. • Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. • Move your body in ways you enjoy. This balance is a hard one to strike, especially early in your career, but it's important to make sure you're taking care of yourself. The reality is we all age, and so do our bodies. When you are young you might feel invincible, like you can work at this pace forever. But the truth is you can't. Everyone needs boundaries, including you! Learn to say no. As skin care professionals, we are people-pleasers, and that makes creating and maintaining boundaries even harder. While all clients want and deserve your time and attention, if someone monopolizes your usefulness, it can prevent your business from growing in new directions. It's important to respect and protect your time. You can do so by defining clear terms and conditions. Charge for the initial assessment, then write a solid client agreement that defines the scope, duration, pricing, extra charges for additional services, and other terms and conditions of the engagement. Make sure you stick to it and follow through; have a clear system in place that allows you to measure the results achieved. According to Patrick King, author and social skills coach, poor boundaries can dent your self-esteem, weaken your genuine connections to others, and sometimes force you to try to meet your needs indirectly with bad results. Learning to say no and building meaningful "you time" into your schedule just might save you—not only in your career but in your personal life as well. Before you engage in an interaction, it can be helpful to make a list of your boundaries, and then repeat them aloud multiple times a day. Consider keeping a list of distractions that cause you to let go of your boundaries: who, what, when, how, and why. Practice communicating your list and your "why" to family, friends, and colleagues. EMBRACING SELF-WORTH As you learn to anticipate the warning signs of burnout and embrace boundaries, your self-worth will begin to grow. You will start making sound decisions and fulfill your goals with greater ease, and you will begin to love and accept yourself for who you are. Self- care is a vital part of loving yourself. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, "Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. Everyone needs boundaries, including you! Learn to say no.