Life doesn’t pause when you run a business. As small business owners, we wear a lot of hats — boss, bookkeeper, marketer, customer service rep — and we often keep things running on sheer willpower. But what happens when life hits hard? When you’re dealing with an illness, a loss, or any personal crisis, keeping your business afloat can feel impossible.

Here’s the truth: you can keep your business going through hard times — but it starts with taking care of you first.

Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down

The hustle culture tells us we can’t stop. But one of the bravest things you can do during a crisis is pause. That might mean scaling back your hours, rescheduling non-urgent tasks, or communicating openly with clients about delays. Most people are more understanding than you think — especially when you’re up front with them about your personal situation.

When my dad was in the hospital for an extended period of time, I had to tell my clients I just couldn’t get things done in the same time frame that they were accustomed to me doing things in. Surprisingly, the response that I got was “we’ll keep you and your family in our prayers”. I pride myself on being supportive of my clients, but wow to receive that support and understanding in return was immense. My relationships with them only grew stronger.

You’re not failing by slowing down. You’re preserving your energy for what matters most. People understand that, at least the right ones do.

Lean on Your Systems

If you’ve built systems or routines into your business, now’s the time to rely on them. Automation tools (like email responders, content schedulers, or invoicing apps) can give you space to focus on healing. If you haven’t automated yet, consider it a priority when you’re back on your feet. It’s like giving your future self a safety net.

Move Your Body (Even Just a Little)

When life feels heavy, movement can be a powerful way to release stress. You don’t need to hit the gym or run a marathon — a 10-minute walk with your dog, some gentle yoga, or even stretching in your living room can calm your nervous system and lift your mood. Exercise isn’t just about fitness; it’s about resilience. Fresh air and sunshine work wonders friends.

Try Yoga or Mindful Breathing

Yoga can be especially healing during emotional times. It combines movement with stillness, helping you reconnect with your body when everything feels out of control. Even just a few minutes of deep breathing or child’s pose on your mat can help you ground yourself before a client call or a tough conversation.

There are plenty of free yoga YouTube videos that offer great resources you can use from home. Just make the effort to slow down and breathe.

Practice Self-Care — and Redefine What That Means

Self-care isn’t just candles and bubble baths. It’s also boundaries. Saying no. Turning off your phone. Eating nourishing food. Sleeping. Letting yourself cry. Journaling. Seeing a therapist. Asking for help. Reach out to friends and family.

Writing has always been therapeutic for me. When dad was sick, I found that emailing my cousins every few days with updates helped me to process what was going on myself and in turn I opened up a wonderful support network that is my family.

Think of self-care as giving yourself the resources to keep going — not to push harder, but to sustain yourself.

Ask for Help (and Accept It)

This one’s tough for many entrepreneurs. We’re used to doing it all. But in hard times, leaning on your community — friends, family, team members, fellow business owners — is essential. Let someone bring you a meal. Let someone else manage your social media for a week. Hire a virtual assistant. Say yes when someone offers support.

You don’t have to carry everything alone.

The reciprocal of this is true is well. When you recognize that a friend, co-worker or fellow business owner is going through a personal struggle, reach out and offer your support. They may not accept it, but you’ll realize that they appreciate the gesture. IE pay it forward friends. We all need a little support once in a while.

Final Thoughts

Running a small business is already a high-wire act. Doing it while navigating personal loss or illness is even harder. But you are not alone, and you are not weak for needing a break. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s the most sustainable way to care for your business, your clients, and your long-term vision.

Remember: you built your business with passion and grit. That same strength will carry you through this season — one breath, one step, one small act of self-care at a time.