DO YOU HAVE A HEALTHY WORK/LIFE BALANCE?

Two stylists share how they manage their workload

Perhaps it’s a confidence that comes with age or the space lockdown provided, but now I do have a healthy work/life balance

YES

“I used to think being busy meant success, and that rushing about running a salon, developing a brand, looking after clients, building a team, shooting, hosting educational days, working at London Fashion Week, travelling and attempting to have a life outside of work was what success looked like. But I have since learned that success is having a healthy approach to life. Saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way has been ingrained into us, but what’s the result? Burnout? Being so busy that you don’t know what’s really important to you?

Perhaps it’s a confidence that comes with age or the space lockdown provided, but now I have a healthy work/ life balance. I’ve achieved this primarily by understanding what my values are and what makes me truly happy. I looked at what I wanted from my future and from there, I was able to eliminate everything that no longer served me. I approach work with a calmer presence and still achieve everything I need to. This has also had a positive impact on my team and my clients. If you bring unhealthy, stressful energy into work then those you interact with pick up on this and ultimately feel the impact. Morning routines have helped me shift my approach to the day. Taking time to meditate, stretch or exercise, complete my gratitude ritual, shower and have breakfast before picking up screens has positively impacted me. I try to be present at all times – with clients, in team meetings, on shoots and with friends and family which keeps me grounded.

SAM BURNETT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, HARE & BONE

It’s almost become a comical motif in the industry to have a coffee for lunch

NO

“My relationship with work/life balance is the same as almost every other hairdresser in that it's been eroded over time by how much we normalise our lifestyle. Habits such as working crazy hours and skipping lunch and breakfast; it’s almost become a comical motif in the industry to have a coffee for lunch. Because it’s so normalised, we don’t consciously acknowledge the negative impact it can have on our health and wellness.

What changed for me is that I started to investigate Maslow’s Pyramid of Human Need – you can Google to find out more, but in a nutshell the most basic needs are breathing, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep, with creativity and acceptance at the top of the pyramid. Often in our industry, the priorities are upside down, especially if you’re from the generation I grew up in where it was all about the hustle. The quicker you are, the more you’ll achieve and the more you’ll earn. Even though we are moving away from that, it is still easy to fall into old patterns and neglect your basic human needs. I need to start making a conscious effort to do at least one of those basic needs in my work life. It could be drinking more water, exercising, or leaving the house, which might feel a bit basic but when you’re self-employed, admin days can end up with you locking yourself away. Another thing that I know will help me is not over-filling my diary. If a job comes in on my day off, I will only accept it if I can move that day off elsewhere in my diary. I can’t just delete it. As hairdressers we need to guard our days off with as much protectiveness as we do our clients, booking, education and events.

CONOR JAMES DOYLE, FREELANCER & EDUCATOR