The Beauty of Holding Space
This month, I have had two longtime and truly wonderful clients move away. Although I am sad when this happens, I am always so excited and happy for people when they make their dreams come true. Today, as I was saying goodbye to someone, I realized something beautiful: I am allowed to hear people’s journeys and be a witness to the events in their lives.
Over the 19 years I have been an esthetician and Reiki practitioner, I have had the privilege of hearing their stories. I love hearing people’s stories because I feel they are one of the most meaningful ways we connect with each other. Many have gotten engaged, planned weddings, and started families. I have helped prepare them for their wedding day, listening to every exciting detail they share with me. I have been able to pamper expecting moms, as well as new moms who only have an hour to slip away for a facial or a brow clean-up. I have seen clients go through the process of sending their kids to college, and to welcome them back home if they need a place to land on their feet. I have held space for clients during difficult times, or simply when they needed a quiet place to feel safe and have a moment to themselves.
They have told me about new jobs, new careers, and new relationships. They have come to me during transitions and endings as well.
My clients have helped me grow as a service provider, inspiring me to create the best treatments because they have chosen to come to me. They have shared hours of laughter and tears, as well as their expertise, wisdom, and insight. They have helped me grow as a person by recommending books, movies, advice, ideas, and philosophies during our conversations. They have also given me the desire to create a space where I could pursue what I have wanted to do for a very long time: own my own business.
To say I am grateful for all of this is an understatement. This has been, and continues to be, a gift. I love esthetics, Reiki, and the intuitive readings I do, but what I love most are the connections I have with my clients. I can’t believe I get to go to work every day and, hopefully, make people feel better when they leave my space than when they arrived.