The Essential Gift of Rest for Private Practice Owners This Holiday Season

Original published in December 2023

The holiday season brings its own set of challenges for private practice owners—or really, for small business owners in general. The pressure to neatly tie up loose ends can be overwhelming, but what if the to-do list remains a bit unraveled? This is a gentle reminder that the gift of self-care, especially in the form of rest, should not be withheld, even if the year doesn't conclude as neatly as envisioned.

This year, I’m taking my own advice by revisiting and updating this blog instead of starting from scratch. By working intentionally, I’m making sure the energy I do expend truly counts, leaving room for meaningful rest. And that’s the heart of this message: to rest well, the work you do beforehand must be purposeful. Let’s explore what this means and why it matters during the holiday season.

The Importance of Intention: Making Your Work Count

As therapists, we know the value of intentionality in our work. The same principle applies during the holiday season. To truly rest, the work we do beforehand must be meaningful and purposeful. This doesn’t mean you need to accomplish everything on your to-do list before taking a break, but rather, focus on what really matters.

Intentional work helps ease your mind and sets the stage for guilt-free rest. Prioritize tasks that will give you the biggest return on investment for your energy—whether that’s organizing your schedule for the new year, finishing up essential admin tasks, or strategizing your marketing plan for January.

When your work is focused and deliberate, the rest you take feels more earned, and ultimately, more rejuvenating.

What IS Rest?

Rest isn't solely about physical reprieve; it's equally vital for mental and emotional rejuvenation. Sometimes, it's a quiet moment of reflection, a leisurely stroll, or even engaging in a hobby. Permitting yourself these diverse forms of rest is not only a necessity but a strategy for sustaining well-being amidst the hustle.

This holiday season, let's acknowledge that rest isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. It's a personalized endeavor, and in its myriad forms, it becomes a powerful tool for maintaining balance and ensuring a fresh start in the upcoming year.

Whether you choose to rest in solitude or with loved ones, at home or from afar, here are some reasons it’s important:

1. Preventing Burnout: The Gift of Permission to Pause

In the demanding mental health profession, burnout is a constant threat. This season, mental health professionals are granted permission to pause—a crucial step to prevent the flames of burnout from engulfing their passion for their work.

2. Maintaining Personal Well-being: A Self-Care Present to Oneself

In a profession centered around empathy, self-compassion becomes paramount. Taking the time to rest is an act of kindness toward oneself, a recognition of personal limits, and a commitment to maintaining well-being.

3. Quality of Care: Understanding the Link Between Rest and Excellence

Quality care is at the core of the mental health profession. However, when practitioners are exhausted, the quality of care can be compromised. Understanding this link allows mental health professionals to see that rest isn’t a detour but a route to excellence in their professional endeavors.

4. Balancing Act: Navigating the Unfinished Business

The end of the year often brings a surge of tasks, both administrative and personal. Balancing the urgent with the important becomes a delicate act. Granting oneself the permission to rest is an acknowledgment that the year's end is not just about tying up loose ends but also about maintaining a healthy equilibrium between work and personal life.

5. Creativity and Renewal: Unleashing Fresh Perspectives

The gift of rest is not just about physical rejuvenation; it's a boon to creativity and problem-solving. Unwrapping this present provides mental health professionals with the space needed to approach challenges with renewed vigor and fresh perspectives.

6. Modeling Self-Care: A Gift to Clients

Mental health professionals serve as beacons of self-care for their clients. The gift of rest isn’t just for personal benefit; it's a model for clients to understand the importance of prioritizing their well-being.

7. Building Resilience: A Wrapping of Strength

Resilience is not just about bouncing back; it's about bouncing forward. The permission to rest is a way of building the strength needed to navigate the demands of the mental health profession.

Rethinking Rest

In the relentless pace of professional life, especially for mental health practitioners, rest isn't merely a reward for a job well done; it's a fundamental aspect of sustained productivity. The notion that perpetual activity leads to success is a myth that often leaves individuals drained and less effective.

Strategically incorporating rest isn't a compromise on productivity; rather, it's an enhancement strategy. Just like muscles need recovery after strenuous exercise, our minds and creativity flourish with moments of reprieve. Rest becomes the catalyst for rejuvenation, fostering a resilient mindset, and ultimately enhancing the quality of work.

As the year concludes, let’s reject the notion that rest is a luxury. Instead, let’s embrace it as an essential element of success. Rest isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, balance, and self-compassion.

So, this holiday season, as you reflect on your year, set your priorities, and plan for the next chapter, remember: Rest is a gift. Give it to yourself freely and intentionally. Because when your work is purposeful, your rest can truly be restful—and that is a gift that keeps on giving.

In your corner,

Francisca

P.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the year’s end, consider joining the Private Practice Jumpstart Bootcamp in January to start 2025 with clarity and confidence!

Embark on a transformative journey with Francisca Mix, LPC, BC-DMT, ACS—an experienced confidence consultant in mental health and clinical leadership. With diverse expertise as a mental health private practice consultant, educator, clinical supervisor, and trauma-informed movement therapist, Francisca guides professionals through tailored group programs and impactful one-to-one online sessions.

Her mission is clear—to empower individuals in mental health and clinical leadership by building unshakable confidence, nurturing leadership skills, and rewriting healthy life narratives. Your transformation begins here. 

Ready to reach new heights? Book a discovery call NOW and redefine your narrative with confidence and leadership.

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