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It was the third snooze at 9:45 a.m. on a Wednesday when I realized I was in a slump. And it was the second day in a row that I had stabbed the snooze button on my iPhone, pulled the covers over my head and curled up into a ball in bed instead of starting my day.

This definitely wasn’t an Instagram-able moment. It was one of those moments when all I wanted to do was hide under the covers and ignore the call from my boss.

The only problem with that was that I was my boss. Then, out of nowhere came the shame of not living up to all of the social media posts about grinding and living your best entrepreneurial life. Where were the social media support groups for those times when the self-pep-talk just isn’t working, and all you need is a moment to breathe? More importantly, where and when can you have these moments without the shameful feeling of guilt.

This was me a few weeks ago. And a few months ago. Hell, this was me a few times last year, too, and somewhere along the way I accepted that the ebb and flow of being in business for yourself is normal. And if we lived in a world that would normalize vulnerability, it would connect us all and remind us that we are a lot more alike than we are different. In those times, when you feel alone, even when you have a team by your side, just know that you are never alone.

I want to share three things I practice that work for me when I feel myself sliding into an entrepreneurial slump. Notice that I said practice because it’s best to accept that these moments will continue to show up in our journey. And it’s smart to have a plan rather than go blindly into the ups and downs of being the boss.

Before we get into the routine, we must go into every situation with the right mindset. That mindset is one that permits us to be kind and patient with ourselves. I know it’s hard because there’s a constant pressure from this culture to “stay grinding” and “sleep when you’re dead.” But make no mistake about it, how you treat yourself directly affects your mood. So, I made taking time to myself a significant part of my blueprint to success. When I started this entrepreneurial journey, I began resetting my mind and body as a part of my everyday practice and a part of my business plan. I had to practice this mindset first and foremost.

So, if you need to rest and shut the world out for a minute, then do it. Log off social media, put your phone on do not disturb, and take some time for yourself. Cry, scream or color. Sleep, meditate or practice deep breathing. Do what you feel is right for you. I did all of these things and some more.

Then when you are ready, it’s time to start a new routine. Three vital steps helped me recalibrate my entire mood. I didn’t always feel like doing these things, but that didn’t matter. I did them anyway. I was consistent long enough to see results, because the truth is there were days that I had to get up and move, even when everything in me was begging me to sit still.

Just trust that eventually, your energy will shift — but it won’t happen instantly. You are not a microwave.

Now, let’s get to this routine:

Maranda Joiner

Writing since February 2022 · 2 stories contributed