My Top 5 Self-Care Tips for Florists

As Blue Door heads into a mid-season rest period, I find myself in a time of reflection and self-care and would love to share a little bit about my process! Here is your mini-guide to self-care for florists.

A little-known fact about me is that not only was I an educator for many years, but I also have my 200-hour+ yoga teacher training and taught yoga as well! Both have proven to be integral parts of my life as a florist.

Confession: I absolutely hate working out and I hate the gym. I’ve tried. For years. Many years, in fact. My brother is a strength and conditioning coach, and I could not have inherited less of those traditionally athletic genes. However, I love hiking, pilates, yoga. I mountain-biked for a minute, and I have been skiing since I could walk. I also love naps and resting, spending time in the garden, and taking my fur babies for a swim.

I feel that self-care is all about balance, and what works for you for the body you have in the phase of life you’re in. I used to go to a hot yoga class, then go for a mountain bike trail ride for three hours, and then a sunset hike; I was the tiniest my 6′ frame has ever been, but I was beating the heck out of my body. As a woman with a serious, lifelong chronic illness, it’s important that I honor myself daily with how I feel so as not to burnout in a job that I truly love. While we work in the luxury events industry, so many of us completely ignore our own needs in an effort to cater to those of others. Sound familiar?

If you’re still not convinced as to why self-care is key to longevity as a business owner and florist, here are just a few reasons:

• We often work overtime to ensure our clients have the best of the best! From driving all over to pick up flowers (I’ve driven 400 miles in one day to pick up flowers from multiple flower farms-worth it!), to countless hours of back-and-forth with wholesalers, growers, and other industry professionals, we do the most for our clients.
• We lug around heavy items all day long (heavy water buckets, installation pieces, ladders) in order to bring magical visions to life.
• We spend our time managing freelancers/staff, honing in on the tiniest of details, and preparing/harvesting/processing curated flowers and hardgoods for each of our events (I see you melted on candle wax and hundreds of dirty bud vases).
• We work in all weather conditions-Nor’easters, heat waves, and everything in between, probably in need of a sandwich and a bottle of water…and some motivational chocolate.
• Things don’t always go as planned, and so we have Plan A, B, C…Z ready to go for *almost* any scenario. Need a 12′ hanging installation to be perfectly level? We’ve got your back. You’d like eighteen 16′-20′ birch saplings installed in your tent? On it. And yes, we are speaking from personal experience.
• Then, we come back that night or early the next day to take it all down. The epitome of a vanishing act.

Why mention any of this? Because we work like mad for 8-10 hours straight, no breaks, to make magic happen for our clients and their guests. If you don’t make a plan for self-care, you’re going to burn out.

My self-care tips might work for you, they might not. I know all to well (hey, Swiftie) the tricks our brains play on us-you’re not doing enough, you need to do more yoga, you should eat more protein-these are not meant to add more to your plate, but rather to help you manage that plate mindfully and in a way that works for you.

1. Move Your Body

While all of the stunning photographs from our colleagues sure make our work look glamorous-don’t be fooled. We work in a manual labor job. If you don’t take the time to build some strength, increase mobility, and unwind, your body will retaliate. So, whether it’s 20 minutes of stretching in the morning, a walk at lunch, some bodyweight pilates, or a full-on gym workout, make it a priority everyday to move in some way. Even your rest days should have some light stretching or a slow walk (if you’re in a healthy space to do so; I understand injuries, surgeries, and illnesses make this difficult). Keep that body fluid and strong, and it’ll pay off in spades!

2. Nourish Your Body

Trust me. I’ve been there. The 2:23 P.M. McDonald’s run because you’ve been driving for three hours on one hour of sleep. It happens. It’s okay. I’m not here to shame you, because I’ve been and likely will be there in the future. However, try to make an effort to get some protein in your body first thing (as someone who hates breakfast, I find a protein smoothie or Noosa yogurt with some granola is a good foundation). Drink two glasses of water before you have any coffee. Invest in a 40 ounce water bottle, and drink two of those bad boys per day.

3. Sleep.

That’s it. Sleep. Ever since Covid times, I have been a big doom-scroller; it’s actually become cathartic which is quite terrifying. Let’s hold each other accountable-limit screens in the hours before bed (I say this as I write this blog at 9:15 at night). Take melatonin and magnesium. If you drink, have your last cocktail two hours or more before you plan to hit the sack. Invest in a good mattress, and if that’s not in the budget right now, try to get a fantastic pillow. Everyone needs a different amount of sleep to feel good; figure out what that means for you and try to stick with it.

4. Rest + Relax

Remember how I just told you to move your body? Yeah, well, some days you just need to veg out on the couch, watch Mysteries at the Museum (or if you’re not weird like me, something trendy like Love Island), and take a good nap. I find this especially important after an event week/weekend. If I don’t take even a morning to just decompress, I’m scattered, anxious, and exhausted. In 2025, I find myself lucky enough to have a mid-season break to get to the seaside, catch up on some rest, and follow all of these tips that I’m offering up to you. However, if you’re booked and busy all the way through, carve out a morning just for you. This might be the hardest of the self-care tips to follow.

5. Give Yourself Grace

We work in an inherently competitive, “Look at me!” industry, and this is all exacerbated by social media. Remember who you are, and remember your “Why?” Why did you decide to become a business owner? Reflect on that, write it down, and hold those cards close. Nobody else offers what you do. Is a garden-style aesthetic your game? Mine too. But we all offer an edge, something that sets us apart from others, even those with similar aesthetics. Go ahead and compare yourself. We all do it. But then take a breath, put your big girl/boy pants on, and push through that imposter syndrome. There is enough business for all of us, you just need to find your little crack in the wall. And you will. I promise.

I see you. I hear you. I love you. And, I think you’re absolutely killing it. You are an artist, a creator, a giver. You are using your unique talent in a world that is trying it’s damndest to create safe carbon copies. You are bringing untold joy to others through the natural beauty of flowers. You are showing people what’s possible, and expanding their worldview through your craft. Own that. And go eat some pasta. And drink some water. Oh, and sign up for a 1:1 session with me to check-in and make sure you’re tending to yourself as much as you tend to your craft! Sign up for your consultation HERE.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or licensed health care provider of any kind. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended nor otherwise implied to be medical advice or a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.