Get Comfortable Doing Nothing - The SD Event Planner Issue #4

This week, I want to talk about some ways I take care of myself while I’m busy planning events. We all know how chaotic this business can be, and I have been slowly learning how to incorporate healthy self-care in my daily routine to prevent myself from burning out. Sometimes, event planning feels like a nonstop lifestyle. I learned that I have to be very intentional about my self-care, especially when things get busy. I know now that I have to actively make time in my day to prioritize myself, even if it is just a few minutes at a time. It can be too easy to wake up and jump right into work, but here are a few ways I resist the constant grind and have become a better event planner because of it! If you know others who may find this newsletter helpful, please forward to them and invite them to subscribe here:?https://bit.ly/sdeventplannersnewsletter.???

Get comfortable doing nothing?

The idea of truly resting and doing absolutely nothing used to drive me a little crazy. Before, I couldn’t imagine sitting on the couch with my morning coffee without checking my emails or watching the news!?Recently, I’ve been making it a goal of mine every morning to sit quietly for five minutes with my cup of coffee. I don’t think about everything I have to do that day. I don’t think about what I forgot to finish the day before. I just sit and enjoy a few minutes of still, quiet solitude.?At night I intentionally try to spend some time taking my wild puppy for a walk. It's good for both of us and provides the clarity and focus that is so important.?This part of my day reminds me that I can always rest, even if it is for a short moment. It helps me to detach from the crazy rush of calls, meetings, orders, and messages. If I need a quick break, I let myself take it, and that has helped me stay present, even in the busiest moments.??

Celebrate successes! Even small ones

We’ve all planned events that ended up looking a bit like a disaster. Whether the event fell apart on the day of, or the planning process was imperfect, we tend to focus more on our failures than on our successes.?When I make a mistake, big or small, I try to remember what it is teaching me. At the very least, I always learn how to do it differently when I fail the first time.?It’s so important to remember our successes, even if it is something as small as showing up to a meeting on time. Making a conscious effort to be kind to ourselves in the midst of a stressful event planning is key to sustaining this work.??

Focus on the joy of the work

At the end of the day, we are planning events that bring people together. There will be joy and laughter, good food and great connection at these functions, and we are helping our clients make it all happen.

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?I try to remember the best parts of this work when it gets really tough.

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?Remaining genuine and working to provide support for others is why I love this job so much.

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?I hope this helped you. Thanks so much for reading!

?Ellie?

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?Ellie Highstreet?

?Owner and Founder

?SD Event Planners?