OK so I feel like this is a question I get asked a lot and I have written about it before on our blog. However recently I feel like my life changed dramatically in the way that I think and react to work-life balance + my business TULLY LOU.
With running a business it’s very easy to get caught up with the I am ‘’busy’’ statement which yes is the truth we are busy but so is everyone else right? I really try and catch myself when answering someone with “Oh I am so busy” I find it such a dicky answer like what makes me a better person than you when I say I am busy?
Running a business can be very addictive for someone like me with an A-type personality it’s very easy to get caught up in the business and the stress of day to day tasks, working late at night + weekends. As sad as it is there is a point where it takes over your life. It slowly takes a toll on your mind, body and most importantly social lives. You slowly find yourself bleary-eyed + sometimes not even interacting with another human that’s outside of your workplace.
It wasn’t until recently that I decided this needed to change and quickly. I found myself in a bit of a scare. I had 2 major deadlines approaching and a legal issue that was sitting on our shoulders that I got myself so worked up and stressed. I woke up one Saturday morning in such a state that I was throwing up all day. I literally spent all day in bed and did not even have the energy to lift a finger. At the time I honestly just thought I had some weird ass stomach bug but had no other symptoms I didn’t feel sick I just felt a little nauseas and couldn’t stop throwing up… turns out I was having an anxiety attack and let me tell you it was not fun and it really scared the F out of me.
This is why finding a happy and healthy work/life balance is so important to me and not that it wasn’t before, however previously I thought that running a business was my life, it was my baby, but now I have stepped back a little it doesn’t take over my life like it used too and you know what running a business is going to have ups and down as does our own personal lives, it’s the way that I now choose to react to these situations or problems that is now going to change. Sarah my business partner told me the best quote a few weeks ago ‘‘Don’t let the business run you, you run the business’’ and to be honest when she told me this quote it honestly couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I now choose to put myself first, my friends, my health and social life. Once I leave that office I “try” to switch off as much as I can and yes there will be some nights where I am behind and work needs to be completed however its not like it used to be. I would sit on my laptop for hours on end trying to get stuff done and wake up in the morning grumpy and not rested and energized. I soon realized that the way I was living was making me stressed, anxious and not the best version of myself. This whole putting myself first is something I am working on its not easy and like I said before Its not easy especially when its your business and you want it to be successful but at the end of the day I choose my health and happiness over work and I have never felt so good about my work and life.
Article by Tully Lou
Tully Lou is the latest fashion-forward, sports luxe activewear from Australia. It’s all about combining rebellious workout gear with stylish streetwear.
The innovative, inspirational and modern designs are the creative dreams of Tully Lou’s designer and creative director, Tully Humphrey who created the label in 2013 as a way to motivate and empower women to get up and live healthier happier lives. When you look good you feel good.
Melbourne native Tully is a passionate yoga instructor, designer, health and wellness writer who is spreading her mission and inspiring a crew of stylish, rebellious, powerful and passionate warriors each on their own journey.
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