Deep-dive: Letter
A compassionate reflection
Dear Natasha,
I’m so proud of you. You set the intention to start your private practice in September 2023, and you did it! You spent months preparing for launch day, hours creating your website when you had no clue what you were doing, you got all the important admin tasks completed, and you went from being invisible to visible after years in the NHS.
You opened your doors, and within a week you had your first client!
You’ve worked with amazing clients, made new connections online, and you achieved your goal for your first year, and your goal for 2024 (and it’s only November!).
You can be incredibly hard on yourself. I want you to take a moment now to acknowledge your achievements. Remember, you are running a private practice alongside your emotionally-demanding NHS job. You juggle multiple responsibilities, and you are one person.
Yes, I know you want to be great at marketing, to action all of your ideas to a high standard, and make a profit, while feeling calm and happy. You want to start a podcast, you want to build a mini empire, and you want to take your family on holiday to celebrate. These are all admirable ideas. These are all achievable in the long-term, I’m sure of it. You have shown you can achieve what you set your mind to.
For now though, let’s breathe.
Lots of times this year, you have needed to remind yourself of exactly how many hours per week you have available to dedicate to your business. All the chat online has started about 2025 goals. I know your cogs are whirring already for all the potential 2025 can bring. All the things you want to do. You want to do everything!
I hear you. I understand.
AND
Remember, we did a review in September. We want 2025 to be:
Calm
Sustainable
Aligned with financial goals
Let’s also remember, October you made a very positive decision. You are currently receiving help to develop your website and your messaging. You want your website to represent exactly what you can do for clients. You want to articulate it clearly. You know you can help clients, you have helped thousands of clients over more than a decade. Your marketing is going to accurately reflect the value of your work in a whole new way, thanks to magnetic messaging! (watch this space)
Your ideal clients will love working with you in 2025!
I love your enthusiasm! This business wouldn’t exist without it. At the same time, you have to be realistic about what you can do. You are one person.
You knew when you started this Substack, wearing many hats would be a challenge. The reason this newsletter exists is so you can document the ups and the downs of what it’s truly like being a therapreneur.
Today you feel:
Conflicted
Anxious
Hopeful
And that’s OK.
There is no urgency. Move at your own pace.
You don’t have to end 2024 on a “high” or start 2025 with a “bang”
Ease towards the end of the year. Finish your website project. Gently prepare for 2025.
Breathe.
All my love,
Natasha
Community question…
Hi Natasha, I love this and can relate big time.. there seems to be so much pressure about "wrapping up the year on a high" and tie everything up in a neat little bow ready for January. 🙄 I appreciate the reminder to acknowledge the incredible steps forward I have made with my own business this year and to go easy on myself. Thank you 🧡