Words by Juliette Wiseman // photo by Annie Spratt
When I first opened my own clinic, I was beyond excited. I’d worked hard to get there—studying, training, building up experience—and finally, I was doing what I loved, helping people heal through nutrition and naturopathy. Because I was helping people find balance and calm, I thought I would feel balanced and calm. Spoiler alert, I felt anything but.
Loving my work didn’t mean I was immune to burnout. The emotional and physical weight of doing it all myself slowly crept in—answering emails late at night, squeezing in “just one more” client, juggling admin tasks between sessions. I was pouring from an empty cup, and it finally caught up with me.
After many years and many lessons, here’s what I’ve learned about staying well while running your own business.
Wearing Too Many Hats
At first, I was everything: practitioner, receptionist, bookkeeper, marketer, tech support… the list goes on. I felt like I should be able to do it all. But all that “should” nearly ran me into the ground.
Letting go of some of that control and outsourcing admin tasks was a game-changer. I started small—just a virtual assistant and some automation tools—but it gave me breathing room to focus on what I actually love: working with my clients.
Boundaries Are Healing, Too
For a long time, I answered messages late at night, rescheduled without hesitation, and poured more energy into sessions than I had to give. I thought I was being helpful. But I was running on empty and after awhile, it wasn’t just me that was suffering. My clients weren’t getting my best, which was ironic because my desire to give them my best was the very thing that was leading to my burnout.
Now, I clearly communicate my availability and expectations. I use client agreements and cancellation policies. I still care deeply—but I also know that saying “no” when I need to is a form of self-respect. Boundaries don’t push people away—they keep you sustainable.
Finding Support (and Passive Income)
Support doesn’t always mean hiring a full team. For me, it started with tech: better booking systems, templates, and client portals. But what truly helped me breathe was creating an online course from my most frequently asked questions.
I turned the most common client questions into an online program—and suddenly, I was helping more people without having to be in the room. That passive income gave me space to rest and regroup. And that space? Invaluable.
Walking My Own Self-Care Talk
This one stung a little. I’d talk to clients all day about rest, nourishment, and balance… while surviving on caffeine and barely taking breaks, all while managing a large caseload. Eventually, I realised I couldn’t be the practitioner I wanted to be if I didn’t start practicing what I preached.
So I started treating myself like one of my own clients. I blocked out days off. Took real lunch breaks. Gave myself permission to rest. And when I needed it? I got support. Therapy, journaling, aromatherapy—you name it. I made space for myself in my own healing journey.
Detaching from Outcomes
I used to carry my clients’ results like they were a report card on my worth. If someone didn’t improve, I blamed myself. If they did, I felt on top of the world—but also terrified of ever slipping up.
Now, I remind myself that I can guide, support, and offer the best tools I have—but I can’t control outcomes. Healing is messy and non-linear. I care deeply, but I don’t tie my identity to the results. I’ve learned to leave work at work, and it’s one of the healthiest shifts I’ve ever made.
Running a solo wellness business is beautiful, empowering, and deeply fulfilling—but it’s also a lot. If you’re in the thick of it, just know: you’re not failing because you’re tired. You’re tired because you’re doing so much.
You deserve support. You deserve boundaries. And yes, you deserve rest.
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