Think creating a new business, project, or revenue stream requires non-stop hustling, grinding and putting your mental health on the backseat?

It certainly feels that way in a world filled with *influencers* and hustle-culture peddlers.

Of course, pursuing any entrepreneurial thing is hard. It requires long days, longer nights and tears.

There’s no way around it — you just have to do the work.

But, working harder, faster and stronger non-stop sucks.

You don’t have to hustle and grind to the detriment of your mental health. It’s okay to take breaks.

As my friend Kanika Tolver told me, “slowing down doesn’t mean you’re not winning. There are a lot of folks looking busy but producing trash content.”

Whew. Drag me back to reality by the eyebrows, Sis.

One of my favorite Twitter accounts, The Nap Ministry, recently posted this love note:

A love note. pic.twitter.com/46APv6r6Cf

— The Nap Ministry (@TheNapMinistry) June 2, 2021

Asé.

I recently took a mental health break.

As I explain in this week’s mini episode of Handle Your Business (my re-branded show and podcast), I have struggled during the pandemic. Between virtual schooling while working from home, gutting and renovating my 100-year old house, and temporarily moving in with my in-laws during the process, I was literally on E.

Last month, I didn’t even have fumes left. So, I took a mental health break to relax and recharge my mind.

Read the transcript

Originally, I felt bad about stepping away from things like my social media calendar, livestreams, YouTube channel, and sales.

It actually felt kinda lazy. Like, everybody goes through things in their careers–why not just push through like a normal person?

It took me a while to recognize all the signs pointing to SLOW YOUR ROLL, GIRL.

Above all, I needed a break.

I’m writing this article to help you identify when you, too, need a break. Of course, I am not a mental health professional. But, if sharing my experience helps you prioritize your own mental health, I’m gonna do it.

So, here are my 3 signs you need a mental health break.

1. Saying yes when you should say no.
2. Being perpetually exhausted—emotionally and physically.
3. Obsessive comparison to others—especially on social media.

While I didn’t quite ignore these three signs, I definitely fought tooth and nail to stay on my hamster wheel until all three were firmly rooted in my day-to-day. If you’re stubborn like me, here’s what you can look for in your own life to determine whether you need a mental health break.

1. Saying yes when you should say no.

First, if you regularly agree to do things that you don’t want to do…this may be a sign that you need a mental health break.

It’s hard enough to manage your energy within the things you really want to do, let alone outside of them. When you’re constantly prioritizing other people’s desires over your own, it takes an unsustainable toll on your mental health.

This may look like:

• agreeing to help family and friends with time-consuming projects that have nothing to do with, and distract you from, your own goals.
• accepting new clients or work without being fairly compensated.
• doing work that you are good (or even great) at but no longer want to do.

In short, you either don’t have boundaries or you need better boundaries that prioritize what’s important to you.

If you frequently find yourself agreeing to do things that cause you to ignore your own goals, you may need a mental health break.

One amazing book that is helping me with this is Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab. I highly recommend it!

2. You’re exhausted—emotionally and/or physically.

Second, if you reside in the land of the always tired, you could need a mental health break.

I recently experienced months of emotional and physical exhaustion. It didn’t matter how much sleep I got or how much good news I received. I just could not shake my chronic tiredness.

Eventually, I scheduled appointments with professionals who recommended several things, including taking a break.

You do not have to “push through” or rely solely on praying about it (prayer works, but I also believe we can and should take advantage of the resources here on earth too).

If, like I was, you are often waking up tired and feeling emotionally depleted, you may need a mental health break.

If you need help finding a mental health professional, I adore Therapy for Black Girls, which includes a therapist directory.

3. Obsessive comparison to others—especially on social media

Third, if you’re constantly comparing yourself to others and thinking you should be much further ahead, you may need a mental health break.

In my own case, I didn’t recognize my social media usage as problematic because I follow a ton of inspirational and aspirational entrepreneurs. I believed that learning from them online could only be a good thing.

But, ya know, some people are just too inspirational. And, their posts are a little too perfect. The information is great, but it’s easy to fall into the, “I’ll never be as good as him/her/them” trap.

If you find yourself creeping from learning mode to comparison mode, you may need a mental health break. And a social media break.

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In sum, look for the signs that it’s time to slow down for a bit before you charge full speed ahead into your next move.

Taking a mental health break is a good thing. Yes, your brand, business and clients need you. But, above all, you need you.

Now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Have you ever taken a mental health break? What signs showed you that you needed one?

I hope this article helped you. Thanks so much for reading and listening.

–Shontavia

P.S. We’re re-opening the doors to the Brand and Business Academy very soon. If you’re ready to make more income and impact with your big ideas, get on the waitlist now and lookout for an important email from me soon.