Mental health in the hair and beauty industry is not an issue that ought to be taken lightly. Behind the radiant smiles of most salon staff lie dormant insecurities, anxiety, stress and physical exhaustion. The apparent solution to resolving such adversities would be to take a much-needed vacation, right? Unfortunately, for many hair and beauty professionals, that’s simply not possible - especially those who are dealing with guilt. Although this seemingly trivial issue is often overlooked, specialists who overly immerse themselves in their work can find that their once beloved salons have turned into a metaphorical ball and chain, weighing down their lives. The most common symptoms of guilt you may be overwhelmed with are feelings of wrongdoing regarding closing the business, being overcome with an unwavering sense of duty to adopt problems your clients are facing and in some cases, self-condemnation for either defending yourself or your salon in certain situations. But where exactly do these feelings stem from, and what can you do to prevent them from taking over?
It’s one of the most difficult sentences to utter to booked clients - even if you need to close for half a day. For hair and beauty specialists who consistently have to give it their all in order to make a profit, closing during the day can mean significant financial losses, however, that’s not the worst part. Clients who were expecting to book a visit to the salon might be a bit displeased, but not as much as those who were already booked - in this case, any specialist would feel guilty for rebooking appointments. It’s during these situations that one might be driven into an uncontrollable guilt trip. You had an unexpected emergency come up, or you just felt like taking the day off, and instead of focusing on what you need to do, you’re more worried about your clients’ reactions to the news that they need to be rescheduled. Most of them will understand - after all, things pop up sometimes. But that might not be reassuring enough for most overly-ambitious specialists. You may begin to feel guilty, and as a knee-jerk reaction, rushed decisions are made - massive discounts are given out to clients, extensive apology texts are written and you may even be contemplating taking these customers after hours. Although any respectable hair or beauty specialist would feel even a minuscule amount of guilt in this situation, it’s important not to get swallowed up by it. Remember, you’re a human too, and unless you work for someone, then your business is your domain - you’re in control of it. It’s vital that you know your worth and respect yourself as well. You’re not the only person on the planet who experiences last-second emergencies or just needs some time off. So, how should you go about this situation? Start by:
Most stronghearted specialists treat their fired clients like badges of honour - they share their stories on how they gracefully went about doing so on social media groups (obviously anonymously) and collect praise from other hair and beauty professionals. And that’s understandable. It requires a lot of nerve to banish an unruly client, and in most cases, it’s a necessary course of action. Difficult customers (who use profanity, are vulgar, harass you or your team and make threats) are not only bad for business, they may make you feel insecure, disheartened and potentially drive you into depression and cause self-doubt. However, taking all of these factors into account, some specialists actually feel remorse for firing burdensome clients. Feelings of guilt caused by firing a client are often due to underlying conditions - usually self-doubt, which can be brought on by previous encounters with difficult or unsatisfied clients. One or two uncontented customers may make you think twice about the quality of your treatments or customer service, but a few more and you may begin to even doubt your professionalism - and that’s when you may feel concerning guilt. “Did I fire the client on a whim? Surely I was right to do so, but then why do I feel bad about it?” - if these questions are constantly on your mind, consider:
Due to the recent COVID-19 epidemic, hair and beauty salons have been forced to introduce government-enacted regulations, which have completely changed certain paradigms in the industry. Staff are required to work in face coverings and regularly disinfect work stations and tools, and you have to operate in an appointment-only system - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. These regulations are meant to prevent outbreaks, however, many hair and beauty specialists feel that they’re not enough to ensure safety - which is why salons all over the UK are limiting their hours of operation and creating their own regulations in addition to those required by law. And that’s when problems start to arise. Most customers abide by your protocols - after all, they too want to feel safe when being treated. As for limited working hours, although customers might be irritated by this, they are actually less likely to no-show on their booked visits, seeing as how tightly-packed your schedule is and that simply walking into the salon for a last-second booking is out of the question. But there are salon clients who will ridicule you for doing so, which may ensue feelings of guilt. Such customers tend to scoff at additional safety regulations, remarking that you’re probably overreacting, giving in to the fearmongering and that they'd prefer to take their business elsewhere because of this. Even the most ardent hair or beauty specialist can be moved by these hurtful remarks, which in turn, may activate feelings of guilt. To counteract or prevent this from occurring, consider:
One of the more common factors that often lead unsuspecting salon owners to being overwhelmed with guilt is the need to help clients. However, it’s important to make note that this doesn’t include trivial matters related to helping the client decide on which article of clothing will go with their nails or hair, but more dire situations. And chances are you’ve probably been caught up in more than one. You’re probably less-lenient with new clients, but you’re always there to lend a helping hand to your favourite patrons. Then this happens - they ask that you give them a discount, as they have financial problems, or they break down in your chair and go into personal issues (marital or mental health problems) and ask for your help or advice. Now you’re probably feeling guilty for even thinking of not helping them. However, here’s one thing you ought to bear in mind - advising on an issue you’re not entirely familiar with can be especially harmful to both the client and you. You’re a hair and beauty specialist, and taking on the additional role of a counsellor in the salon will run your batteries dry as well. But then again, seeing your favourite client in a state of misery pulls on your heartstrings. So what should you do?
In almost all of the aforementioned cases lies one main underlying factor which can trigger feelings of recurring guilt - a lack of self-worth. By putting your clients before you and your business, you unconsciously push yourself and your needs into the last place. Then, when your efforts need to shift to your own priorities, you begin to feel guilty for doing so. And in some cases, like when helping a client, you may feel obligated to do so in order to avoid feeling guilty. Although finding acceptance and support from your team and the hair and beauty community can significantly bolster your self-esteem, it tends to be only a temporary solution. If you’re experiencing only brief feelings of guilt, then sometimes even a drop of self-reassurance can bring you back to your old self. However, if this is persistent, then your condition may worsen to the point of chronic depression, which requires long-term treatment in the form of interpersonal therapy or CBT. Your clients, staff and your salon are what keep you going, but you need to bear in mind that you’re at the heart of the operation. Depression and guilt are not trifling matters - allowing them to take root will only create more problems. If you’re experiencing difficulty in dealing with guilt, then seek professional help before it evolves into an uncontrollable condition - and remember, your loyal clients and staff will support you all the way!
.png)
