The Power of the Pause: Why Taking a Break From Your Business Isn’t a Setback

It’s easy to forget that as entrepreneurs—especially those of us in the healing and helping professions—we are not machines. We are human. And that means we have cycles, emotions, responsibilities, and limits.

After taking a two-week break from my business, I wanted to share what led me to step away, what I learned from it, and why I believe rest is one of the most strategic things you can build into your business.

High Achievers, Helpers, and the Hustle Trap

If you’re anything like me—or like most of my clients—you probably have a strong work ethic. Maybe you’re a nurse, therapist, coach, healer, or service provider who’s used to putting others first, showing up fully, and pushing through no matter what.

If you’re a heart-centered helper, you probably:

• Hold yourself to high standards
• Follow through on your commitments no matter what
• Feel responsible for supporting everyone else first
• Struggle to pause—even when you’re running on empty

This kind of dedication is beautiful. But when we step into entrepreneurship, that same workhorse energy can backfire. That same drive that made you great in your previous role (as a nurse, therapist, healer, etc.) can turn into hustle and burnout when you bring it into your business.

We convince ourselves that if we pause—even for a moment—we’ll lose momentum, followers, or income. 

You might feel like:

• You always need to be online
• Taking time off = losing momentum
• If you stop, your audience will forget about you

That fear almost kept me from taking the break I desperately needed.

Burnout Isn’t Always Loud

The signs were subtle at first: irritability with my family, creative blocks, the urge to numb out by scrolling TikTok or constantly having earbuds in. I felt disconnected, uninspired, and honestly, just… tired.

Here are some early signs I noticed before taking my break:

1. I was moody and impatient with my family
2. I felt disconnected and emotionally distant
3. I constantly wanted to numb out with TikTok or podcasts
4. I couldn’t come up with content—my creativity felt flat
5. I avoided my to-do list and responsibilities

In the past, I would’ve ignored all of it. I would've powered through until my body forced me to stop.

But this time, I listened. Because I’ve learned that when I catch the signs early—when I respond with intention rather than wait until I crash—I don’t just recover faster… I reconnect with myself on a deeper level.

What my “Break” Actually Looked Like

For two weeks, I cleared my schedule.

No Zoom calls.

No social posts.

No emails (except for a couple light ones).

No podcasts.

Just me, my family, and space.

I continued supporting my current clients through private channels like Telegram and email, but outside of that, I was offline.

I went on dates with myself. I spent time with my son. I read. I wandered through stores without buying anything. I gave myself the space to breathe.

How to Tell If You’re Resting or Avoiding

Here’s something I’ve learned: rest and avoidance can look similar, but they feel completely different.

Avoidance is numbing, checking out, running from something hard.

Rest is intentional. It’s sacred. It’s a return to yourself.

The difference is in your intention.

Was I resting to escape something—or was I resting to come home to myself? For me, the answer was clear: I needed to reconnect, rekindle my creative fire, and nourish my nervous system.

We’ve been taught that hustle is noble and rest is lazy.

But here’s what I believe now more than ever: rest is an act of self-leadership.

When I rest, I don’t just serve myself—I serve my family, my clients, and my business better. I show up clearer, more grounded, and far more magnetic.

I also model something powerful for my audience: that it’s okay to set boundaries, to slow down, to be human.

Your Business Is a Relationship, Not a Machine

I don’t believe in building a business that runs me into the ground. I believe in building one that partners with me. That flows with my energy. That holds space for my humanity.

My business isn’t a machine I have to feed constantly to keep it alive. It’s an ongoing relationship—and relationships thrive on communication, boundaries, and care.

If you feel like your creative energy is suffocating, if you can’t breathe under the weight of all the “shoulds,” I want you to know: you are allowed to take a break.

The fear that a break will destroy everything you’ve built is a lie.

When I came back from my break, nothing had fallen apart. My audience was still there. My clients were still supported. And best of all—I felt more me again. 

Sometimes a pause is exactly what we need to accelerate forward with more clarity, power, and joy.

5 Truths I Want You to Remember 

1. Your business won’t fall apart if you take a break. You’re allowed to step away. You won’t lose everything. 

2. People will still be there when you return. Some may not even notice. Others will cheer you on.

3. Your energy comes in waves—and that’s okay. You are not meant to be “on” all the time.

4. You set the tone for your business. You’re not a machine. Your business should serve you, not the other way around.

5. Breaks create momentum—not kill it. When you return from a true rest, you’ll feel more powerful than ever.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Your Next Break

• What do I need right now—solitude or connection?
• What would feel nourishing and restorative?
• Where am I numbing out, and where am I actually resting?
• What boundaries do I want to hold during this time?
• What brings me joy that I’ve been neglecting?

Need a Bigger Reset?

If your soul is craving more than a weekend off, join me and my dear friend Rachel Dick this May for the Playful Soul Retreat.

✨ What to expect:

• 4 days of creativity, rest, and connection
• Gentle somatic practices
• A safe space to reignite your fire and have some fun
• The chance to unplug, breathe, and remember who you are

We still have a few spots available— CLICK HERE for all the details.

Your business will be there when you get back.

And when you return from a true, intentional break—you might just find that everything flows better than before.

Because you feel better.

Take the break, my friend. You’re so worthy of it.

XO,

Shawne