Checking in and Bumming Out . . . Temporary/Mandatory Practice Closure

Good morning friend.

How are you? At this point that feels like a ridiculous question, but I really do want to know.  What has this last week been like for you?

I know for me it’s been a whirlwind of changes, disappointments, adaptations, beautiful connections, more changes, frustrations, more adaptations, fears, realizations and immense growth.  I’ve never been so humbled, so worried, so hopeful, so sure of myself and yet so unsure of everything else as I am right now. My priorities have shifted. The constructs of my life are crumbling.  And . . . I’m ok.

Know what else?  If you’re reading this, you’re ok too.  As long as we’re willing to adapt to the changes before us, and we have faith in ourselves and each other, maybe even faith in something more than us, we’re all going to be ok.  Somehow.  

In the meantime, I have some wicked bummer news . . . As of 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 23rd, I have to close my beloved practice.  I can’t even begin to tell you how painful this is for me. Not just because I am going to have no source of income for the foreseeable future, but because I have no idea how to cope with difficult times like these if I can’t be of service to others.  There were three things that were keeping me afloat during this past week; my spirituality (anyone else having some major breakthrough moments there?), my connections to my loves and my work. Finding this career just over four years ago saved me, and being without it for even a few weeks makes me so sad.  

Screen shot from my phone last night.

BUT . . . I still have my spirituality, so I look forward to diving in deeper with that.  And there’s Zoom, Messenger, iMessage, FaceTime, phone calls, emails and even sweet little hand written notes to keep me connected to my people, so I plan to make great use of all of them.  Not to mention that I get to be a stay at home mom again for the first time in 11 years! A homeschooling mom no less! Holy smokes . . . this is going to be wild! If you pray, please pray for me (or them),  But seriously, I’m going to consider this challenge an opportunity to grow and learn, and frankly, I can’t wait to see who I am on the other side of all this.

So what do I need you to know?

  • If you have an appointment on the books, I’ll cancel it and you’ll get an email notification.  When you do, PLEASE consider rebooking for after April 15th (which is the earliest I can book people again, and also subject to change, so bear that in mind).
  • If you don’t have an appointment on the books but would like one after April 15th, please do book.   
  • I can now accept credit cards, so if you want to pre-pay for your session or buy a gift certificate or package online now to be used once I’m back up and running, you have no idea how grateful I would be.  Seriously, it would make such a difference,
  • NOTE: in order to book an appointment online you will now need to enter a credit card number.  I will NEVER charge your card unless you a) authorize me to do so or b) fail to give me 24 hours notice of your cancelled appointment for the 2nd time (first time I give you a pass because life happens.  But after that it’s just rude, and I’m starting to see a bit more rudeness than I like).
  • I’m still here for chatting if that is in any way helpful.  You’re my client and you have helped make it possible for me to earn a living doing something that I absolutely love.  My family and I are eternally grateful that I have found this path, and I wouldn’t be walking it if it weren’t for you.  So . . . I want to give back. If you would like to book a call just to check in, here’s the link for that. If there’s any other way I can help you, please don’t hesitate to ask.  
  • Please stay connected.  If you read or watch something uplifting that you think I’d be interested in, please send it my way.  If you learn or think of a way I can help others, drop me a line. If you have any brilliant business ideas that will help me or others weather this storm, I’m all ears!  If there’s a blog topic you think I should cover, I would LOVE an excuse to write more.
  • Stay well!  Get plenty of sleep.  Drink water. Get outside.  Move your body. Laugh when you can.  Practice gratitude. Connect with your loves.  You don’t need me to tell you about hygiene, but if you want to hear about how I stay strong and healthy, I’m happy to chat about that.
  • Speaking of strong, if you have extra time on your hands, consider booking a class or a personal training session with Joey at R.E.P Fitness in Fairlee (joey_farley15@yahoo.com).  Or, check out one of Sheena’s (sunsheen@outlook.com) virtual yoga classes!  These, combined with lots of hiking, mountain biking and playing ball with my kids are what I’m going to do to keep active.  No atrophy for me!

Mmmm-kay, friend.  I guess this is it for now.  Thanks for your support and good vibes;  I’m sending them right back to ya! I’ll miss you, but we’ll get through this.  

Love, 

Abby