why on earth are you writing a blog? and other business transparencies

when I opened my practice in may of this year, I was equal parts excited and terrified to embark on the prospect of actually working for myself. it seems like some ambition and promise that’s constantly being waved to motivate the worker - to be the owner of your labor completely is the only means to be satisfied with your work. of course, there is truth to this- it is certainly liberating and empowering to be freed from the routine of being on someone else’s schedule, being paid what someone else has determined your time is worth, maybe even being asked to do things that don’t line up with your own code of ethics. I am so grateful to now have some greater control over this aspect of my life.

with these liberations, however, come the added pressure of insecurity and liability. there is no employer to pay me for my work, regardless of the success of the business. no guarantee of income, no safety net of a set schedule. additionally, there is no one to shift accountability to should I encounter a complaint about my practice. I set the terms of my business myself, and I am the one who must answer to any and all questions about the ethics of that business. that is something I am eager to do.

wellness - this word has become a commodity, an ambiguous vibe that has been attached to everything from taking a bath to taking a vacation. it is marketed as self-care, self-love, health, beauty, long life, desirability, even in some cases a path to wealth and material gain. to be well can be interpreted endlessly, but in any instance it cannot simply be bought. this is an abhorrent notion to the endless march of consumerism insisting on selling it to you. massage so frequently falls into this wellness category. it’s not inaccurate necessarily; massage can truly contribute to an overall higher quality of life. but it is often sold as a quick fix, or promises something that simply cannot be attained by a simple, single transaction. I believe massage is a tool, and with an arsenal of other tools and resources, it can help one build a satisfying, comfortable and joyful life - something we all deserve.

to start this business, I had to think deeply on the ethics of a practice where I sell better health for personal gain (granted, the personal gain is just paying my bills, but it’s personal gain all the same). I do feel deeply and certainly about the benefits of massage therapy and what it can do to improve the holistic experience of one’s life. I wanted to make sure that I was intentional about what I am offering and how I am offering it. with this in mind, I wanted to write my first blog entry on just that - being transparent about my intentions and business practices in an industry that can often rely on smoke and mirrors. I wholly believe that communication and clarity are vital to building trust, and invaluable to allowing me to provide the kind of care I wish to offer.

honesty and integrity are values that I hold dear to me in my personal life, and I intend to operate my business in the same regard. to this end, i’ll let you in on my true motivation for blogging - it helps bring people to your website if there are more words present. you know when you try to find a recipe, and there is a whole story about chickens before you get to how to make a pot pie? usually these stories are AI generated floof with the recipe’s key words present as many times as possible. I won’t explain everything about search engine optimization, but that was the impetus for a blog. I was resistant at first, loathing the idea of using contrived prose to manipulate readers. in a way, I suppose i’m taking an alternate route to the same destination. but after some thought, I realized how useful a tool it could be to explain my practice and myself. I can use this venue to answer questions I hear frequently, share resources for good living, or just to wax poetic about all matter of topics, “wellness” and otherwise, that could be relevant to my clients (or anyone else who find it interesting).

there is so much to be discussed relative to massage: the machines that are our bodies and minds, nervous systems, fascia, eastern medicine. vagus nerves, trauma responses, vulnerability, touch therapy. cupping, reiki, grief, death. nothing is off the table, and I am eager and open to hear from my clients and community. we’re all just out here trying to feel good, and I hope that ultimately I can help be a part of making that available to you. in the meantime, feel free to contact me and let me know what’s on your mind regarding massage therapy and what it could do for you. there are endless paths to the elusive goal of “wellness”, and discourse along the way is always encouraged.

good luck out there, and maybe i’ll see you soon.