Self Care for Entrepreneurs
Reading and journaling is one of many self-care practices.
Did you know that only 32% of US adults practice self care daily and about 43% weekly (Yougov.org)? As small business owners, nonprofit leaders and community leaders, self care should be top priority. Running businesses and households that demand 100% of our attention and time, lays a solid foundation to preserve and to protect our mental health. We must provide space and carve out time to nurture our minds, to feed our souls and to rest our bodies so that we uncover what brings us peace, happiness, and joy.
Growth Journey
Discovering what brings me joy as an entrepreneur, I began to make the connection as an impact and grant strategist as to why I strongly encourage self care for myself and my clients. Personally, my self care practices revolve around reading and journaling. Even though I don't write every day, it is important for me to reflect on my day and to write down what my accomplishments have been as well as my impact with my clients, my community, at home, or at church. I have learned that when looking back at my journal, whether it's one week, 2 months, 6 months, a year, I'm able to see just how much I have grown professionally, socially, spiritually, and financially.
Intentionality
As entrepreneurs, as business owners, it is important for us to name that self care is one of those areas of our lives that we should nurture as often as possible, sort of like exercising. Being intentional about caring for ourselves, should not bring on feelings of guilt. According to Martin (2026), “some people wrongly label self-care as lazy or selfish but it is really essential to our well being” (psychologytoday.com). We put so much time and energy into our businesses, our clients, and our thought partners, that we forget to take care of ourselves. Additionally, we put so much into achieving our goals and our mission, that it is important to take time to rest your brain, rest your mind, and rest your soul, so you can be of more influence and have a greater impact in your community.
Forms of Self Care
Finding out what form of self care works for you, can be one of the biggest challenges. As I shared earlier in the post, reading and journaling are my self care practices, however it may not be your form of self care. Your form of self-care may be going to the hair salon, sleeping, sitting on your porch/balcony, hanging out at the pool, or traveling with friends. You must find what works for you and what brings you energy. What brings you your joy? You may enjoy meditating or yoga. And that's okay. The most important decision is finding out what works for you. What can you do on a consistent basis with intentionality to make sure that you are taking care of yourself? It is so hard to take care of your family, your children, your husband, your spouses, your partners, your clients, your customers, when you have not taken care of yourself first. Ultimately you don't have any more to give. So I would say, find out what works for you, find out what brings you joy!
The Power of Writing
As you reflect on what brings you joy, begin to put pen to paper. Write down your self care ideas so that you visualize them. Writing down these ideas helps to have a personal accountability partner. Most times if I write it down, and I go back to reflect, then I am able to celebrate that the goal has been achieved or reevaluate why it has not been achieved. Then go a step further to make a personal pledge to yourself, to exercise what that self care practice will be. How often will you practice self care? You'll be able to see, have I achieved this personal goal? Am I taking care of myself? Because if you can't take care of yourself, then you are no good to anyone else.
Professional vs. Personal Development
A part of your self care routine may also be, and some people may say, well, that's a little different, but it may be your own professional and personal development. So what are you doing in order to grow as a professional? What are you doing to grow as a wife, as a mother, a partner, a daughter? We/you are not a one dimensional human being, we are multidimensional wearing many hats. To nurture these multiple dimensions there are things that we can be doing to grow so that we don't become stagnant. I want to take care of myself so that I can offer more to my clients and to my customers, and to my readers. Although you are a business owner and/or a leader in your community, it is important to practice self-care daily, weekly, monthly. Carving out space and time so that you can be the best that you can be to everyone that you come into contact with.
Next Steps: Self Care Plan
Entrepreneurs, business owners and nonprofit leaders, plan your self care practice by following these steps:
Acknowledge that you need to take care of yourself
Brainstorm on what form of self care you will practice
Make a decision on 1-2 forms of self care that you will practice
Develop a practice schedule
Create a safe and stress free environment to implement your self care practice
Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, honoring self care for yourself
Remember, your brain needs rest. Prioritizing self-care every day isn't time away from your business—it's an investment in your health, creativity, and long-term success for growth..
Dr. Stacey Brown partners with businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to develop personalized self-care strategies that strengthen leadership, enhance well-being, and maximize grant success and organizational impact.
If you're ready to create a sustainable self-care plan for yourself, your team, or the people you serve, let's start the conversation. Together, we can build a strategy that supports both personal wellness and lasting impact.. Email dr.staceybrown@anaya-enterprises.com.