Last week's blog focused on how I met my boyfriend, Dylan, which is necessary to understanding how I currently handle growing in my career while maintaining a healthy, serious relationship. When my career started taking off, I focused most of my energy on building my brand and booking new clients. However, I noticed that I allowed my love life to be hidden in the dark, and I quickly realized that I had to change the situation as quickly as possible.
I have implemented three lifestyle changes that make my love life and work life extremely successful while balancing both equally.
1. Learn what is most important to you: Is it your work or love life?
Being happy in my relationship is very important to me because I learned that while I can have all the success in the world, without a strong love life, none of that success truly matters. It is important for me to have someone in my life that I can fully trust and rely on as a best friend as well as a romantic partner. My career is substantially important to me, but being able to balance my work by putting energy into a relationship honestly drives me to work even harder towards my goals.
2. Take vacations
The last thing you want to feel in life is burnt out. I know, I know. Some of you might say, "But how am I supposed to take a vacation without the finances or time?!"
Two words: MAKE TIME!!
Going on a vacation doesn't necessarily mean that you must spend thousands of dollars on a resort or a trip to another country...
For instance, you can take a few days off to go on what most of us know as a "STAYCATION!" What does that mean exactly?! It means staying in for a few days. Order take out, watch a movie, go to the beach, or simply stay at a hotel for the weekend, enjoy each other, and just forget about work. You will find that this break re-energizes your relationship and gives you the boost you need to delve deeper into your career.
3. Don't stress.
Life can get hectic with clients, appointments, bookings, obligations, and responsibilities while also balancing your life at home with kids, pets, and your significant other. The best way to balance it ALL and be extremely successful at it is to NOT STRESS!! Many people don't know this, but I struggle with anxiety nearly every day, and training myself to let go has made all the difference. (I'll save this topic for a separate blog post.)
I have learned that at the end of the day–99% of the time–the issue will work itself out, so there is absolutely no need to stress out. Enjoy your beautiful life and BE IN THE NOW!!
I will leave you with this: Balancing your love life and work life successfully is definitely NOT easy, but it can be done. When you find YOUR balance, your work and love life will be in perfect harmony.
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
My responses to three of your "Ask Larisa" questions:
1) Bethaney T. asked:
" I have clients coming in often with fashion hair they did at home... usually Manic Panic or ION. I'm trying to figure out the best way to remove them without causing too much damage. I once used 40 volume with Loreal Platinum AND NOTHING HAPPENED! *Yikes* I realize that sometimes these unpredictable colors can have strange results... curious to what you would do.
Should they just try to grow it out? Should I cover darker? Should I use a different direct dye to cancel the color out?
Thank you for your input. . You are my #1 inspiration and teacher :)"
LL: Adding lightener to the vibrant color will only push the color more into the cuticle. Instead, try a color remover by Pravana. Be patient with it, and remove it slowly. Xo
2) Victoria P. asked:
"Hi Larisa! First of all, you are amazing and talented! You have such a good heart and passion for what you do, and I love that about you! :) My question to you is how do you keep track of your appointments? Do you have a receptionist who helps you sort your clients or do you do it all yourself? "
LL: I do it myself on my handy dandy iPhone. It's a lot of work, but I feel more at peace when I know it's all handled properly. Xo
3) Sara H. asked:
"Hi Larisa! I love all your work and have been following you closely on Insta! I own a salon in Connecticut and was wondering what kind of lighting do you have to get such amazing photos? Thank you!"
LL: Lighting is EXTREMELY important. Natural lighting is the best. Be sure the client is against a blank wall so the focus can be on them. Xo