%20(500%20x%20200%20px).png)
I started my therapy private practice in 2020. Everything was new as I designed my art therapy studio, created my forms, crafted my policies, and more.
As I gained more experience, I continuously refined and made changes to my business.
I also made large changes, like when I changed my hourly schedule, reduced my caseload, and raised my fees. To support those changes, I joined support networks, coaching programs and more. I found new ways to market and experimented with new business ideas.
With a business, it seems like there is always something to improve. It can be both demanding and exciting. With each new idea comes a new hit of dopamine.
I found I was easily sucked into the cycle of trying something new. Idea after idea after idea. Change after change after change.
I was finally able to see what I was doing when I took on a self-challenge of writing 100 essays in 100 days. I decided I would not make any business changes during that time so I could focus on writing.
Those 100 days were the happiest 100 days of my business.
It was incredibly relieving to know that all I needed to do was show up for my clients, do the essentials to keep my business running (notes, pay taxes, etc.), and write my essays.
The simplicity of it was fun. I enjoyed getting to share my ideas in my essays, as well as the extra time to relax.
In those 100 days, I still had business idea after business idea. I even caught myself starting to implement them, and then had to remind myself to step away.
There were times where I thought I would “have to” do more, such as ramp up my marketing efforts when my caseload dropped. I instead chose to honor my “no changes” and let myself have a smaller caseload - which turned out to be delightful.
Before, while change was exciting, it was also time-demanding to implement those changes. In my free time, my brain also drifted to what “more” I could be doing, which often made it hard to enjoy the present.
In those 100 days, I was able to fully enjoy and rest during the downtime I had, which is what I think has contributed to it being the happiest period.
For someone who finds change as thrilling as me (like much of the neurodivergent population), living in the middle ground can be difficult.
This is why 100 essays in 100 days was perfect for me. It gave my brain something to focus on (writing my essays and sharing them), but also provided safe parameters of not jumping into other business decisions
When my 100 days concluded, I decided I didn’t want to return to the frenzied pace of change after change after change. While I allow some changes now, I’ve settled into the slower life. I enjoy my time with my clients, continue to write (I’m at #187 now), and make small strategic changes as needed.
Thank you for reading. If you would like help slowing down and creating a private practice that honors your needs, you can learn more here.