Event planning is exciting, fun, and rewarding. It’s also been identified as one of top 10 most stressful jobs in the United States. In addition to event coordinators, other event professionals like DJs, caterers, florists, and more often feel the crunch that comes with events.
Event Therapy Network, founded by Charessa Sawyer, offers therapeutic support resources for event and entertainment professionals. Charessa is a Certified Event Planner (CEP) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). This combination gives her a unique understanding of the challenges event professionals face, one of which is being comfortable enough to talk about their mental health.
“No one in the events industry talks about their mental health, and we should. As event professionals, we worry about coming across as unprofessional and whether it would affect our ability to get clients,” says Charessa. “Now, I am not saying we should post our mental state on social media or announce it to the world. What I am saying is that it’s important to talk to someone, put ourselves first, and control what you can. Often, Event Therapy clients will blame their events and work—that there’s so much going on that putting yourself first is impossible. But, instead, we should start by looking at how we can make change within ourselves to create processes and boundaries to provide the grace we need to stay calm and centered.”
Putting yourself first is a big ask when so many event professionals tend to be people who put their own well-being and happiness second to that of their clients and teams. So, where do you start? Below, Charessa offers some actionable advice for event professionals, all of which she’s implemented herself as the founder of SCV Productions.
7 Steps Event Professionals Can Take to Care For Their Mental Health
By taking these steps, you’ll protect your mental health and learn how to respond instead of react to everything happening around you.ettings.
1. Block time for yourself.
2. Use the tools.
3. Set communication parameters and boundaries early on.
4. Build break time into the event schedule.
5. Praise yourself.
6. Don’t go at it alone.
7. Reach out for help.
As event professionals, it may seem scary to take some of the above steps—you might worry about getting hired or how you are perceived professionally. That’s totally understandable! However, by implementing the above to preserve your mental health, you’ll be more poised in times of crisis, as well as ready and able to meet the challenges that arise.
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