It's no secret that over time, both work and family commitments have gradually increased. Mine certainly did! Our routines become the norm according to established societal influence and habits, which for many, has led to personal burnout.
Did you know on average, individuals contribute an additional four and a half hours of unpaid overtime per week to their work? To put it into perspective, across the year, that works out to be approximately six weeks of unpaid 'personal' time given freely to others. Six weeks! That's enough time to enjoy a good break, exploring the world around us, or binge on the entire Netflix catalogue!
It's a very frequent and prevalent issue. Something I’ve always been acutely aware of, but never really stopped to do the calculation of how much time that I personally have given to others, when I could have enjoyed the simple pleasures of learning to make a great sourdough (still yet to master this) or read a book or three.
For small business owners, this period is often much, much more. How often do we see the industry being portrayed as a glamorous, independent adventure?? But the reality can be a chaotic mix of hats, long hours, and unexpected challenges. You're the CEO. Also, the accountant, the marketing team, the janitor, and the coffee maker. It's a journey filled with both highs and lows. You're essentially a one-person circus. I know, I've been there! Its a hard underestimated slog. But also rewarding in so, so many ways.
With an ever increasing shift towards digital rather than face-to-face connection, this raises concerns about when busyness and digital connectivity became prioritised over direct human interaction. For me, I decided to head in the other direction, and start my digital detox journey.
After discovering how much time I've given to others (without realising, over a very long period of time), I found myself going down that rabbit hole of reading more about the impacts of technology on human behaviour. Those that know me well know I love a good deep dive into topics I have an interest in.
It was no surprise to me to read that frequent technology changes behaviours, especially in regard to social media use. We have all fallen victim to that dopamine rush of chasing some sort of gratification from likes, notifications, etc. Engaging content can be reinforcing, making it difficult to disengage, even when it causes negative consequences. I've also been there.
Let’s be honest. Most of us are increasingly becoming fatigued by repeatedly encountering youthful, glamorous paid influencers promoting costly products under the pretense of health benefits. Similarly, sponsored advertisements and articles often encourage ‘digital detox getaways’ at premium facilities that are neither accessible nor affordable for a significant portion of us mere mortals due to time or as of recently, more cost of living increases.
So how did I begin to restore the balance in my life? By pressing pause.
Last year I decided that 2025 was about prioritising my journey into self-care, a concept frequently discussed in contemporary discourse. Nevertheless, self-care is regularly pushed aside during periods of increased workload, despite its recognised significance. And I admit, I fall victim to this too.
But self-care is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental well-being. It is not a luxury but a necessity. Or you will simply burn out. It has played a vital role in enhancing my own overall quality of life and has restored the balance my mind and my body was desperately seeking.
That's when I really took an interest in aromatherapy - the 'cornerstone' of holistic health. It's well known that aromatherapy products are widely used in self-care practices due to their potential to support relaxation and well-being. I was already using essential oils at home and in cleaning products, but as I have always been one on the go, I started seeking how I could have the benefits of aromatherapy in an accessible and practical manner. Leading me to rediscovering the convenience of essential oil rollers. They provided me an easy, portable, and effective solution for utilising aromatherapy across different environments. Being discreet, they fit into a pocket or purse and I always have one on the road with me.
Pure Essential Oil rollers contain 100% natural oils, derived from plants. Selecting the right roller should be guided by your own individual needs, preferences, and personal responses to specific scents. They can become a welcome addition to your daily wellness routine, bringing both relaxation and invigoration at the twist of a cap.
When I was on the hunt for rollers best suited to my own needs, I didn't find any I was really in love with. So I created my own range - each based not only on wellness needs but also aesthetically pleasing. I've been integrating my rollers into my daily routine now for over 9 months to support mindfulness and relaxation, even within my somewhat demanding schedule. If I can do it, you can too!
