It's been a month since I've been a licensed massage therapist. I have 3 regular clients and 2 trading partners. I'm also working part-time at a day spa called New Identity.
Until the Spa, I haven't worked since starting massage school. Before that I spent 2 years working part-time, spending my free time learning about myself through classes and activities like chi kung, yoga, dance. It's definitely a shift for me to go to a job from 11am-7pm each day.
The spa has made me a better massage therapist. I'm learning how to "read" new clients and determine how I can best serve them. I'm also developing relationships with some of the people at work and really enjoying the connection.
...life has interrupted this blog, stay tuned...
...life has interrupted this blog, stay tuned...
I started writing this post about 2 weeks ago and am only now getting back to finish it. Hmm, I guess that makes a pretty big statement about my life style change since going back to work.
This time however, work is different. After college, I worked as a Project Manager, sometimes putting in 50-60 hours a week, not including time spent lying on the floor recovering from the office. Now, I'm learning how not to work too hard. Massage therapists are especially prone to taking on other people's emotional and physical pain, as well as working too hard to please their clients.
Last week, I had 5 clients in one day, 3 in a row, with less than 5 minutes between each and the last one was a 90 minute session! I had an incredible day, I wasn't cranky or worn out when I got home. I did take a long, hot bath to take care of myself, but mostly I took care of myself during each session so that I could give each client my full attention and not drain myself. Incredible! I gave each person 100% while not overextending myself.
Yes, I'm learning a lot at the Spa. I also realize working at a spa it's not my goal. My goal is to develop regular clients and help them in taking great care of themselves by offering more than just massage. Part of that is speaking the truth when I feel it being asked of me. By this I mean, for example, a client walks in talking like she's had 20 cups of coffee, I ask her what's her reason for coming if for a massage and find a way to insert the truth, "It's time to slow down." Whatever she does with this information is hers, but I've upheld my integrity in offering all I can during the session including suggestions to breathe or feel inside themselves. I feel this is one of the most important parts of my work: to give my full attention and guide a person back into their body.
