What I’ve learned as a small business owner with a chronic illness
Although I only launched Clementine Rose back in 2022, I've learned quite A LOT about managing a small business while dealing with a chronic illness. It’s also most definitely been a journey of self-discovery! A bit of background… I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2017, and I've also faced other health challenges since childhood. At the time, I was working in retail and began to realise how much the constant busyness and stress were taking a toll on my health, both mentally and physically. After my diagnosis and a lengthy break from work, I found it really difficult to return to my previous routine.
For a very long time I had wanted to start my own small business, but for many different reasons it just hadn’t happened. A couple of years ago I was able to finally launch it. I absolutely love being a small business owner, and am really grateful for the opportunity. Yes, managing a business with a chronic illness can be challenging, but it also offers me the flexibility to embrace a slower pace of life, focus on what matters, and prioritise my wellbeing while still being able to work. Though I may need to approach things differently, which I’ll go into a little bit more detail soon, I've found that it works best for me and is just as effective and important.
Just in case you’re interested, you can read all about how slow living and nature inspired my small business, here.
I’ve listed a few of the things that being a small business owner with a chronic illness has taught me. Even when those challenging moments do make an appearance, I can navigate my way through them much more easily.
It's okay if my small business journey looks different from others
It can definitely be easy to fall into the comparison trap. It's happened to me many times! We look at what everyone else is doing, and automatically think that’s what we should be doing too. It can make us feel guilty, disappointed, upset, and can leave us questioning ourselves.
Having a chronic illness means there are perhaps days when I don’t get as much done as I would have liked. Or some days it may simply be a rest day! It’s important to remember what may work for one person, may not necessarily work for someone else. Everyone's journey is unique and different.
Although it did take me quite a while, I came to realise that it’s okay if my small business journey looks different to everyone else’s. To be honest, I don’t want to be doing what everyone else is doing. I want to do what feels right for me and my small business. I feel that by doing this, it helps me to be my most productive, which is definitely better in the long-run!
It’s one of the many reasons why I’m so passionate about helping others in their own small business journey.
Setting small goals is just as important as aiming for bigger ones
Setting big goals is great, but it's easy to overlook the smaller ones and forget to celebrate them. On days when I'm exhausted and just want to sleep, those smaller goals are more achievable and help keep me motivated, and not feel overwhelmed. I find that they also boost my productivity, help me to keep focused, while allowing me to reach my long-term goals faster.
When I tick off those small goals, I love to celebrate the small wins! It creates positivity, helps me to focus on those little moments of joy throughout my day, and also boosts my confidence. It made me realise just how important setting those small goals are.
I can tailor my offerings to fit my lifestyle without feeling guilty
One of the best choices I've made for my small business was to tweak my offerings. For example, with my Tend & Nurture offering, we spend a whole day together chatting on Whatsapp by text and voice notes, rather than spending a block of time on video call. This has been a game-changer for me. Not only does it give me more flexibility and helps me use my time and energy wisely, preventing feelings of overwhelm and burnout, and allowing me to work at a pace that suits me best, but it also does the same for my lovely clients too.
We can connect and listen while taking a walk and being surrounded by nature, enjoying the outdoors, sitting in the garden, or simply relaxing at home in our favourite cosy nook. It’s designed to fit into their day, allowing us both to communicate slowly and mindfully without pressure. Plus there’s no need to be tied to a desk, and wherever they are, they’ll have access to our conversations and notes to review at their own pace later.
It's alright to take a break, recharge, and make changes when necessary.
I used to feel guilty about taking long breaks or altering my schedule. However, once I understood that these breaks are essential for recharging and adjusting my day accordingly, it actually made me feel more empowered. It helped me manage my workday better, prioritise my health, and recognise the long-term benefits. To perform at my best, I now realise that taking breaks, resting, and recharging is sometimes essential.
With my chronic illness, I usually experience symptoms in the mornings, which means it takes me a bit longer at the start of the day to get going. Because of this I made a conscious decision to start my working day later on, which has honestly been so much better for me. Small changes can sometimes have the biggest impact.
Taking care of my well-being is essential.
Being a small business owner with a chronic illness has taught me that taking time out of my day to focus on my well-being is crucial. Prioritising my physical and mental health is a key part of my daily routine as a small business owner. Building good habits and doing small things each day that bring joy, positivity, and self-care makes a big difference. I sometimes struggle with brain fog and I can get a little forgetful at times, and I also tend to procrastinate. Taking care of my well-being helps me stay productive, motivated, and set necessary boundaries. It also improves my focus, along with improving clarity and creativity, helps to reduce any tension that I may be feeling, and helps me to manage my small business well.
Even if it’s just stepping outside to get some fresh air, or a going for a short walk, reading a few pages of my book, making myself a hot drink, or even just taking a few moments to pause, it can make such a huge positive difference.
Perhaps you’re a small business owner with a chronic illness too? I’d love to know what it has taught you. Maybe you can relate to some of the things I’ve mentioned above?