You Can Love Your Business Without Losing Yourself
Being your own boss means higher autonomy, but it also often comes with low psychological detachment. The entrepreneur life is not for the faint of heart, not just because the hours are long or the hats are many, or that you can’t help taking work home with you — it’s on your mind as you go to bed, when you wake, in the shower, while you workout, even when you eat — and true rejuvenation moments are hard to come by.
The cognitive load and boundary blur between work and personal life that take a toll on the mind and body highlights the importance of prioritizing wellbeing for small business owners. Interestingly, workplace research suggests that having autonomy and a strong sense of purpose can soften the stress load — which may explain why some entrepreneurs stay energized despite the pressure — but this research doesn’t translate actionable power. We need practical ways to stay sane while running a business — not just reassurance that purpose makes the burnout worthwhile.
The game changer is found in tiny slices made from intentional recovery habits.
Natalie Tuggle, owner of ImagoDei Yoga in Allen, TX, runs her boutique yoga and meditation studio 7 days a week. Time off is rare. Her method is in the micro-moments. “[I] section off time where I do not look at my [phone and email] for a few hours [and again] before bed.” She notes that turning off work brain takes active effort and shares that, “To keep my mind off of work, I find something else to occupy my thinking space — writing or reading a novel, solving a puzzle, or being with friends.” She says that sometimes the brain needs more nudging and suggests “Meditation if the mind is needing a deeper rest.”
Judy Hoberman, award-winning international speaker, best-selling author, trainer, and leading authority on women in leadership and sales, has kept her company and her sanity for more than 30 years. Her advice comes with a muscle.
“Most business owners go on vacation only to return feeling like they need another one. That’s usually not because the trip wasn’t good. It’s because they didn’t plan themselves for it.
“For me, well-being isn’t about escaping work. It’s about removing the mental noise that follows us wherever we go. Once my vacation is scheduled, I immediately look at the week after I return. Even if it’s just a day or two, I make sure my calendar already has structure. If I’m speaking at an event, recording a podcast, or meeting with a client, I make sure they have everything they need a week or two in advance. No last-minute scrambling. No unnecessary pressure.
“I do the same with reading materials. Is it something I can read before, or is it something I might actually enjoy reading while I’m away. Either way, it’s intentional.
“My goal is simple…to be present and happily present wherever I am. As someone who thrives on organization, knowing what awaits me when I return allows me to exhale, enjoy the moment, and fully experience my time away. That way, I don’t need a vacation after my vacation. I can enjoy the memories I’ve created instead.”
Whether it’s a few intentional moments each day or a true getaway, staying sane while running a business requires deliberate recovery — clearing the mental noise so you can be fully present when your feet are outside the work zone.
Learn more about Natalie and Judy:
Natalie Tuggle
Owner at Imago Dei Yoga
Bio: Natalie is a speaker, writer, and Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, and Yoga Nidra practitioner.
imagodeiyoga.com
Instagram: imagodeiyoga
Facebook: imagoDeiYoga
YouTube Channel
Judy Hoberman
President, Judy Hoberman & Associates
Bio: Judy Hoberman is an International speaker, multi-time best-selling author, President of Judy Hoberman & associates, and founder of Walking on the Glass Floor Foundation. She is one of the exclusive High-Performance Coaches in the WORLD. Scientifically grounded in neuroscience and the study of human behavior, Judy helps high-powered women engage the next level of themselves by aligning with their truest selves. Judy’s mission…to help one woman a day by following an important philosophy- “Women Want To Be Treated Equally…Not Identically”
sellinginaskirt.com
LinkedIn: judyhoberman
Instagram: sellinginaskirt
Facebook: sellinginaskirt
