Showing myself true and honest love as a busy online entrepreneur has been one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned since I started my design business. I’m passionate about talking about self-love and mindset on my blog because of this – because I am still learning every day. 

One thing I know for sure: the days I prioritize my self-love and mindset are the days I feel most aligned in my design business, and I remember why I love it so much. Time caring for yourself is never time wasted! 

Here are 7 of my greatest lessons and tips in self-love as a busy online entrepreneur. 

1. Identify your triggers 

This is a major one: identifying what was not good for me was one of the best things I’ve ever done. To determine what is not right for you is just as important (if not more so) than what is! 

When you know the events or situations that trigger you, you can avoid them (when applicable) or prepare yourself extra before facing these situations! 

I’ve set intentional ‘rules’ for myself to avoid or protect myself from these triggers. This looks like:  

• Limiting my time spent on competitors’ websites and social media pages. Sometimes it’s necessary to do competitor research to price your offers and get inspiration on occasion. But there’s a boundary that needs to be in place. Too much time fixated on the competition can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. 
• Limiting my social media consumption, especially if I’m going through something in my personal life. I have made this non-negotiable so that I can hold myself accountable, and it’s helped me! 

What triggers you into feeling not worthy? This isn’t what we want for you!! You are a badass – so surround yourself with people and things that remind you just of that! 

2. Identify Your Best Work Spots 

Yes, working at a cafe (in a pre-Covid world) or a coworking space may seem trendy and popular (especially in the online space). But, if these types of settings aren’t what works best for you, then there’s no need for you to feel like you have to work in those settings! 

Work where you feel good, aligned and happy! 

My workspace of choice? My partner, Sam’s remote Maine cabin. It’s the perfect place for me to work in complete bliss and peace. 

A couple of things to ask yourself here to identify your perfect work spot: 

• Do you prefer to work in peace? Or do you need background music or noise? 
• Do you prefer to work independently or as a group? 
• Where do you feel most aligned in your business? 

3. Look Back at How Far You’ve Come

Instead of focusing so much on comparing yourself to others on social media, focus on the right kind of comparisons… by reflecting on how far you’ve come! 

Whenever I’m feeling a moment of self-doubt in my business and wanting to switch back into self-love mode, I think back to my very first early days in entrepreneurship and how much I know now in comparison to then! 

If you think about it, in the first couple of years of entrepreneurship, you learn an MBA’s worth of business knowledge on your own. One day you’re suddenly a business owner! When I first started my business, I felt so intimidated to say “my clients,” for example. When I think of how far I’ve come since then, it is quite a trip! 

Next time you catch yourself slipping into comparison mode to someone else online, just remember that the only vital comparison to make is to see how far you’ve come. 

Are you enjoying this post? Then you’ll LOVE this post that covers the #1 mindset shift I made that changed the game for me.

4. Turn to a Hobby

If you’re really in need of some self-love, turn to a hobby to get deep and surrender. Keeping your hands and body busy during a time of anxiety is one of the best ways to cope. 

My hobbies of choice: running, hiking, spending time in nature, embroidery. How about you? 

Need some inspiration for a new hobby or self-care activity? Try out one of these! 

5. Give Yourself a GD Break!

Let me be real with you for a minute: I don’t work 12 hour days. I don’t work 8 hour days. I function way better when I can break up my work over more days rather than having long days. 

One thing that I had to make non-negotiable is to have one full day per week (at least) where I don’t do a single thing for my business. This was really hard to accept, but I needed it! 

When you’re an entrepreneur, it can feel like your business is your life – it’s essential to take a day each week to remember that there are many other aspects of your life! Celebrate yourself for taking this time for yourself. 

6. Treat yourself 

I treat buying new shampoo as a self-love date and taking myself for coffee too. These little ways of treating yourself may feel silly, but they’re not! 

The important thing to know here is that you don’t need to get in the habit of buying yourself extravagant stuff as a form of self-love. That’s not a healthy habit to get into. Instead, it’s about turning the ordinary into a treat by taking the time to enjoy it with intention. 

Instead of guzzling down that cup of coffee, allow yourself to spend time watching your favorite show, or pick up your book, and enjoy every sip instead. 

7. Remember That Your Value is Not Attached To Your Work

You are already enough  – I know it can be hard to see that sometimes, especially when we live in a society that directly attaches our sense of worth to our productivity. 

It’s the only thing that gives us a sense of worth. 

This is why it’s important to remember that your worth is not attached to your work. 

8. Know That It’s Beautiful To Ask For Help

There’s this raw grit and toughness to the new entrepreneur, where they feel like they have to do it all themselves. I’ve been there. Let me tell you right now: It is beautiful and strong to ask for help when you need it. 

I know for me, a significant act of self-love for my business was actually outsourcing some of the work that didn’t bring me joy or took me too long to complete, that it was taking time away from my business and doing what I really love in my personal life. We didn’t become entrepreneurs to spend our entire lives working! 

If design is one of those things that is taking too much energy and stress for you and your business, I would love to support you.

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