"The truth that no one really wants to hear is that it takes pushing through the hard days to be able to push through the hard days."

Let's have an honest conversation about something we all face but rarely discuss openly - those mornings when life punches you in the gut right before a full day of appointments. After 20 years in this industry and countless days of showing up when I didn't think I could, I'm sharing the framework that's helped me navigate these impossible decisions. This episode was born from my recent experience with my dog Baxter's cancer diagnosis, which happened just days before I was scheduled to tattoo a pet memorial. What I discovered in that moment changed how I view the intersection of personal pain and professional purpose. Whether you're dealing with grief, relationship struggles, or just feeling emotionally depleted, this episode will help you create your own decision-making framework for those inevitable hard days.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The hidden cost of creative careers - Why no one prepares us for the emotional labor of performing creativity on demand, regardless of personal circumstances

• The decision framework - Key factors to consider when determining whether to push through or reschedule, including assessing your emotional state, work quality potential, and possible benefits for both you and your client

• The power of purposeful vulnerability - How sharing authentic moments with clients (when appropriate) can create deeper connections and more meaningful work

• Setting professional boundaries - The critical difference between relating to clients and making them your therapist, plus how to maintain professionalism during emotional times

• Emergency protocol strategies - How to handle true emergencies professionally, including deposit policies, rescheduling tactics, and maintaining client relationships

• The frequency factor - Why patterns matter more than isolated incidents, and how to identify if you're creating avoidable chaos versus experiencing genuine emergencies

• Building emotional resilience - How each decision to push through builds your capacity for future challenges, and why avoiding difficulty can reinforce limiting beliefs

• Finding purpose in pain - Real examples of how personal struggles can enhance your ability to serve clients, especially in emotionally charged work like memorial tattoos

 

Links:

boundbyart.com

bluebirdtattoos.com

instagram.com/tattoosbymissiblue

instagram.com/boundbyartproject

instagram.com/bluebirdtattoostudio

 

Music: Unknown Road - The Harp Project