As salons in select states start to reopen, some stylists and salon owners heading back this week or maybe are already there.
There are a lot of mixed reviews about what it’s like returning to the salon. Some stylists are even calling it an unexpected emotional journey and saying they feel on edge all the time.
Because this is such a huge change and transition in our industry right now, we’re sharing what they’re saying so you know how to emotionally prepare yourself for heading back to the salon.
What it’s like in the salon right now
Under normal circumstances, if you drop a comb, you pick it up and put it on your station wash later, right? You can’t do that now.
The reality we had in the salon before this pandemic doesn’t exist anymore. That might bring up some feelings for you like anxiety or even feeling unprepared. Know that’s okay. We’re sharing this with you today to help you emotionally prepare to work in a different way.
Sanitation standards are high
There’s been a lot of conversation about PPE and how to properly disinfect and sanitize your salon space between clients, right?
To some stylists, actually being in the salon feels like taking the state board exam over and over. If you drop a comb, it feels like your client is watching, waiting to see what will happen. You have to go back, get gloves, pick up the comb, walk into the back, throw it away, take the gloves off, wash your hands. It’s a huge change.
Mentally prepare yourself to take it slow and give yourself grace if you drop a comb, a brush, whatever. It’s okay. Take a breath, take the proper steps to sanitize and disinfect, and keep going.
It’s hard to hear your client
If you’re blow drying your guest while she’s talking, you can’t hear her voice at all, right? But we as an industry have become masters at reading lips so we can keep the conversation going.
But if all our clients are wearing masks, it feels like you’ve lost that gift, right? You can’t read lips any more.
Know that going into a service, you’ll probably have to pause the conversation while you blow dry. Keep track of where the conversation was before you switched on your blow dryer so you pick it right back up again.
The key to emotionally preparing
We’re trying to navigate this new world and learn how our clients feel, what they expect, and still keep our business strong. It’s a truly emotional journey.
The key to emotionally preparing to return to the salon is to step back and realize this is not like the salons of 2018 or 2019. It’s a new reality that we’re learning to navigate together at this time, but we are a strong industry that can make it through this change.
It is a big transition, so don’t forget to give yourself grace as you mentally prepare and when you’re back in the salon.
Find ways to recenter
Have you sat down after a long day and felt overwhelmed, like you could just fall apart? All of us have moments where we’re feeling high, low, or something in between, right?
When you head back to the salon, you might have moments where you feel like this or just lost. It’s okay; this is part of the process. We will have those days. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to come back to center.
Find ways to recenter yourself. Maybe even make a list of things that recenter you and keep it in your phone’s notes app so you always have it with you. Here are some ideas:
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Listening to a great playlist
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Reading a good book you love
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Sitting in your backyard and enjoying your morning cup of coffee
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Getting outside for a deep breath of fresh air
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Repeating your affirmations
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Calling your best friend
Look for ways to pull yourself out and do what you need to bring yourself back up. Take a moment of clarity and find a bit of happiness. Know we are going into a transition, so give yourself grace when it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
And know you’re not the only one who feels that way. You will need a community to get you by. Connect with some amazing other stylist or salon owners that you can network with. Be open to connecting with others because this is not a time to be competitive; this is a time to be inclusive.
Preparing to return to the salon is a big task. Give yourself time and grace to get ready. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but know that we and the entire industry are here to support you. So take a deep breath and know all this support is on your side as you get ready to return.