Guest post from http://economymom.com/
This year so many small businesses closed their doors for good because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Countless more are weighing their options, deciding how to adapt and adjust to this new normal. Small business owners who put their hearts and souls into their companies are experiencing a really potent form of loss trauma, grieving the death of a dream that is unexpectedly ending.
Are you trying to recover from your business loss so you can start looking for the future? That’s proof that the entrepreneurial spirit is stronger than we think! TV Tray Desk presents four ways to get your world back on track after closing a small business.
Exercise for stress relief and self-care
Self-care may seem like a luxury these days, but if you are burned out you stand little chance of getting back on your feet. Tracking your health and well-being can help you track your recovery after a business loss. Many free or inexpensive fitness tracker apps let you monitor exercise, food, water, and sleep. But if you really want to prioritize your fitness self-care activities, smartwatches can really help. For example:
- The Apple Watch SE tracks heart rate, acceleration, ambient light, and elevation gains, to name a few.
- The Fitbit Inspire tracks steps, calories, active minutes, and distance, among many other fitness goals.
Take care of your whole body
Although exercise can keep you in great physical condition, you need to look after other aspects of your well-being — and this includes your emotional and mental health. So, look for ways that can help you unwind after a long day or address things that you may feel self-conscious about. The point is to look for ways to apply self-care.
- Take steps to improve any dental issues to help boost your self-confidence. For example, if you have crooked teeth, find ways to fit a solution into your schedule.
- Look for ways to relax at the end of a long day. For example, if you have an interest in meditation, use apps like Headspace to ease yourself into the process. Just remember to have patience; meditation takes a fair amount of practice to get right.
- Feel free to indulge in a little “retail therapy” every once in a while. If you want to treat yourself to something nice, do it — just make sure you can afford it.
Find financial relief
Closing a business can be more costly than one might think. When those costs add up, so does the stress. And those costs can impact the financial foundation you have for your next idea. The good news is—there are financial options for assistance with closing your business and starting a new one. Learn more about:
- Applying for government relief programs and debt-reduction grants.
- Looking into debt consolidation options, as well as credit counseling, which can help stabilize your financial footing.
- Exploring debt settlement agreement options that can give you the financial freedom to rebuild your company.
- Talking to a financial advisor about your options for small business loans.
- If you haven’t done so already, consider registering as an LLC with the state to ensure that you can use the tax advantages it provides.
Declutter your space
Many small business owners who have been isolated in their homes are seeing their work and inventory spill out into their physical and emotional space. If your home has become too cluttered by the past, you will struggle to process and move forward. What your space needs right now is ample amounts of positivity, self-love, and affirmation. Consider:
- Eliminating the negative energy surrounding you in your home. Get a clean slate for your emotional and physical well-being in this next chapter of your professional life.
- Purging items that may be holding you back, even the ones that hold some sentimental value. Take pictures of these items so you can always remember them or give them to someone close who will cherish them as you did.
- Especially if you’re a pet owner, give that furniture the cleaning it’s been needing! Just browse Angi’s comprehensive ratings and reviews for the best upholstery cleaning services in your area.
Plan your next move
Thinking ahead can feel overwhelming, but if you start considering your next move you can really ignite your passion for the road ahead. One of the easiest and most effective ways to motivate yourself and boost your self-empowerment is to plan your next course of action. Make yourself open and receptive to your next big idea by:
- Taking a few certification or online courses in a helpful aspect of business management, like leadership development or marketing.
- Brainstorming different business ideas that can take what you were doing to the next level.
This year has been hard and the road ahead may be harder still. But just because this business venture is ending doesn’t mean you have nothing left to give. Explore these four ways to get closure on the business that was and move forward with excitement and authenticity into the next chapter.
TV Tray Desk wants to help everyone who finds themselves working remotely, either due to COVID-19 or by personal choice. We’d love to hear from you!
TV Tray Desk 