Becoming a Nail Tech, self employed, mental health

[GetNailed]

Hi everyone, have been reading here and there and thought it's time to say hello! ;) Soon I will be starting my CND training (new to it).

I have worked in variety of places, including being a teacher and shop manager. Self employment sounds like the best option atm and doing this part time, I can still get help from the job centre. Plus by doing set days I can still see my psychiatrist and mental health social worker etc and attend a drop in centre.

*** please note - could trigger ***

I experience mental health problems including borderline personality disorder, mood disorder , depression :Scared: & anxiety , insomnia :zzz: , plus some problems with self harm.


Are there any geeks about that have mental health problems?
Or anyone with any suggestions or comments?
Ideas how to cope?

Do I tell the course instructors?
What if I struggle whilst I am away during the training?


but on a positive ...
I know when I'm not feeling 100% having my nails done and look forward to sharing some nail "feel good factor" :lol:

[happyfeet]

Hi honey

Firstly let me start by saying i hope you thoroughly enjoy your training- youre in great hands :)

Secondly i'm diagnosed OCD and on and off over the years suffered with depression, anxiety and insomnia.

I think its all very personal how you deal with situations and different illnesses can be vastly different to one another, but i found training and working have been amazing for me. No my ocd hasnt disappeared (never will either :( ) and i still can have my bad and very bad days, but working has such a positive effect on condition and me- i get to be just laura rather than ocd laura for a few hours each day and that feels truly liberating, comforting and like i'm making progress.

Why not have a chat with your psychiatrist et al, maybe they can help you honey and let you know what to expect or prepare yourself for.

Good luck my lovely x x x

[Beautyfairy79]

Hi sweet

Well, I am super excited for you doing your CND training. Exciting tones indeed😄.

I too suffer with anxiety and can get quite. Severe panic attacks. Doing my beauty course sand working in this industry as a mobile therapist has made me feel more confident and given me something for me. And I feel a lot happier for it.

I think telling your tutors is a good idea. I think this will make you feel less on edge xxx

Good luck. And you'll love it ! Cx

[nicole333]

Welcome to Salon Geek!

As a Psyche Nurse, I never know whether to stick my oar in on posts like yours or not. But today I am going to.

Firstly, as Laura said, it's great that you have decided to go for it.

It is hard work and stress inducing to embark on a new journey that will mean learning new skills, as well as building a business out of it.
If I were you, I would be thinking about how I manage anxiety currently and if there are any other management skills you could work on with your mental health worker in preparation for your course.

Do you have any kind of Wellness Recovery Action Plan that you can refer to? If you don't have these in your area, perhaps you could have a look at formulating one, again with your MH professional. It will help you to identify triggers, relapse signatures and things you can put into place to manage them.

It really is up to you if you tell the trainers. Are you worried you may have a panic attack during class? Would it reduce your anxiety if they knew and it could be expected?

There is loads we could talk about, regarding managing things, but I would talk it over with your MH professional and maybe go through some scenarios you feel you may experience.

Try breaking things down into daily goals and try not to think too far ahead, otherwise it can feel overwhelming.

The sense of achievement and positive effect on your self-esteem once you've started to conquer each step of your journey will be fantastic. :hug:

[siobrennan]

hi there!! im in your boat... i have bipolar, at times very severe depressive episodes, ocd, insomnia and anxiety....

and you know what?

i LOVE being self employed!! it means if I feel an episode coming on I can clear my diary. I can have as many breaks as I like, and I can see my CPN etc whenever I need without the embarrassment of asking an employer (previously had bad experiences with this, in the health sector of all places)

I did struggle at times through training (was also pregnant at the time and therefore not allowed my lithium :( ) but i did address it with my tutor (private college so only a few in class anyway) and she was very supportive.

good luck to you hon, i can honestly say being self employed has been a godsend for myself xox

[GetNailed]

thank you everyone for your replies :biggrin:
it is really positive to hear how this work has helped
and I think this focus will be really benefitial to me :)

I missed my appointment with psychiatrist last week as I got up late :rolleyes:

so my next appointment is day before I commence training,
but I was thinking of going down the day before as travel aggrevates my anxiety. :eek:

(my key worker/social worker is on annual leave for 3 wks too).


I suppose the main worries about training is:

what if people pick up on old scars on my arms?
(or worst still I slip up before the training)

what if I can't conentrate for a full day?

what if I can't remember what I'm taught?
(I zone out sometimes - dissacosciation)


as for panic attacks, if it's busy and we're in a closed room,
that could be a trigger

I do have a care plan that lists triggers etc in the second part,
but I'll be honest I have no idea where it is ... lol


I won't be working mornings :P just realised it's coming up to midday,
was meant to be in an art workshop 11am onwards, oops, :lol:

ttfn geeks xxx

[nicole333]

It's great you can start to think about possible scenarios, but remember, we all catastrophise during times of stress and can be our own worst enemies!

Regarding your scars, it's understandable you may feel a 'what if they say something' scenario may happen. You don't need to tell anyone anything about yourself if you don't want to. It's really none of their business.

I would say to you, that they are scars to show where you have come from, not where you are going.

Anyway, I'm guessing everyone will be too busy making sure they get on with what they are doing.

Regarding the risk of dissociation, have you ever done any grounding techniques? It basically shows you how to train yourself to return to the here and now.

Generally speaking, for making sure you remember everything, I would take notes and ask for anything to be explained that you don't understand.

You can do this! You just need to be prepared, which should reduce your anxiety.

[Totallypolish'd]

Hey there!

Id like to say first off, good luck on your course! I began mine while I was being treated for depression and anxiety and to be honest had the same worries as you, whether I could keep up and be able to remember etc but I found that I loved it so much that it wasnt an issue and it also relaxed me because I was concentrating on something other then my illness. In regards to your scars you have 3 choices, tell your tutor so she knows and maybe she could advise you, cover them up with clothes and camouflage makeup or just be open and honest, you may find extra support from the others on the course as I did! My tutor made it clear that no question is a stupid question as we were all probably thinking the same! Just relax and enjoy hun, you'll love it! X

Sent from my RACERII using SalonGeek

[VerdePurdy]

Hello honey.

I too suffer with depression, severe anxiety and I am a self harmer (although not so much these days).

I didn't tell my tutors - I gave myself the opportunity to feel normal! They did ask if I was nervous (saw me sweating/shaking) but no one knew I was on the verge of an internal breakdown and it did get better with time. I thought if it got serious, I could tell them what was wrong without them expecting it beforehand. I don't want people constantly asking if I'm ok! I failed my a-levels due to the anxiety... People crowded me and made it worse, I was "causing a scene" and "making a fool of myself", told to "get it together". I was starting a new chapter where noone knew about that side of me, and I realised I could finally put the majority of my stress behind me and create a new life.

I love my job. Every day I have a new challenge to focus on, and I conquer my fears by walking ino strangers houses and building a relationship with them! When people eventually find out what you've been through/are still dealing with, they have a great deal of respect and often pride for you. People have noticed the scars on my arms, and i outright tell them that I used to self harm - the thing is, they know it's not a 'sob story' or I would be telling them straight away! If people are curious, I answer their questions... If they don't ask, I don't tell :) No one sees me differently when they find out more about me, as I am more confident now and and my clients say they couldn't tell that I am battling it at every appointment. It just keeps getting better as It's not covering it up for me, or wearing my mask; When I'm working, I get to be a happy, upbeat, confident person and it is liberating to get away from being the me that cowers in corners and has panic attacks in supermarkets.

I no longer take medication for my mental health issues, as I feel I'm getting stronger. You will feel the same way... It's very freeing to be self employed. You can be proud of YOURSELF because it's all done by you.

If you have trouble focusing in class, just ask the tutor to give you some books or notes to look at :) or, come and do some research on SalonGeek! Everyone is happy to help.

Don't get me wrong, I still have bad days and clients have caught me having panic attacks outside in my car... But you know what? That's just part of who I am. There's not so much of a stigma with mental health now as there used to be... People understand it better and are more open to hearing about it.

Now I have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Clients depend on me, and it's given me a purpose... I'm needed, and that makes me important! If I can make someone's day by giving them some beautiful nails, I've done my job.

I'm excited for you! :)

Xxx

[Becki2003]

I just wanted to stop by and say hi.
I'm self employed and live with severe depression. I won't go into detail as I have a few posts on here about my issues (let's just say it involves an abusive ex, depression, a suicide attempt, hospital stay and total destruction of a very successful career in music) but to get me on my feet I was persuaded to start with a nails course and loved it. After a few courses and about 12 months later I now have my own business and it really helps with bad days. I have a salon so have no option but to go to work everyday. But it helps, as by the time I'm halfway through the day my mood has usually lifted. I don't take tablets, I refuse to as I know I will take them in one go if the going gets tough. My business, for me is the best way of managing my illness. It is my positive out of all the negative. You don't have to tell anyone anything but don't feel ashamed to if you think it will help you cope. Also you have all of us here who will hold your hand. xx

[GetNailed]

Thanks for your replies again :hug:

I was worried that this wasn't the place to dicuss it,
but you've shared really good information and thanks for being so honest.

I am lucky that I will be renting a table at the salon I go to,
the nail technician there has got to know me in the 18months I've been her client.
She even picked me up from psychiatric hospital last December to give me a lovely set of glittery L&P's and snowflake minx on my feet with swarovski crystals on my feet! :lol:
It's reassuring that she's seen me at my worst and still happy to rent a space to me (she has never rented a table and feel a bit of a VIP! lol) :wink2:

[nicole333]

What a fantastic start you are going to have to your new career. I wish you all the very best and you should be proud that you are giving yourself the opportunity to embark on an exciting new chapter in your life.

It's heartwarming stuff. :hug:

[curvygirl]

hey hun, only me..

i just wanna say you've done amazingly well, all the girls in our group seem lovely- don't u think?. i really enjoy lunchtimes and our little chats with each other when Sarah leaves the room.. lol!

see u tuesday - i'm sure we'll speak before.

i'm not singing this weekend so hopefully i'll find time somewhere to do our homework, but not banking on it!

take care sweetie xxxxx

[GetNailed]

thanks hun, yep we are a lovely bunch aren't we :)

I've really enjoyed the last 2 days even though I was really confused yesterday but still managed to pass, haaaaa. found myself going last nite "metacarpuls - drive the car with your hands
metatarsyls - walking over tar with your feet" lol.

yep I think too our chin-wag's at lunchtime is ace, learn so much hearing people sharing their experiences of using the products etc.

what a life of luxury I lead, the thought of cleaning my flat when I got back was getting me down so sat here on SG whilst I have a cleaner sweating away scrubbing the bathroom :wink2:
all I need now is someone to feed me grapes cleopatra style:
don't fancy my fingernails stained in henna like her though, lol :lick:

miss you curvygirl :hug:

thanks again for everyone for their encouragment and enthuisasm here :D

[curvygirl]

found myself going last nite "metacarpuls - drive the car with your hands
metatarsyls - walking over tar with your feet" lol.

Lol! I was telling one of my clients today about us having to learn all about the skeletal names, I then proceeded to name all the ones we learned in class. Her eyes started to glaze over a little when I started to rhyme off all the skin layers and the 5 levels of dermis- shocked myself that I could remember them all! Xx

[Dream Nails]

Hi there :)
Ok I'm going to sound really dumb so don't laugh at me :(
It's only because of curvygirls post I clicked you are on the same course as me. I've not got to grips with geek name / real name yet.
I think we are a brilliant little group and (I don't know how to word this so please forgive) you must be coping wonderfully as nothing has been noticeable.
I have set aside today to do my gory drawings. Quite looking forward to it in a strange way.
See you Tuesday ( even though still not clicked who you are :)
Vicki x

[curvygirl]

Vicki, it's the girl who was sat next to me on the first day with the matching pencil case and pencils! She was also the spokesperson for the team that that explained about sweat glands etc x

[GetNailed]

Hi there :)
Ok I'm going to sound really dumb so don't laugh at me :(
It's only because of curvygirls post I clicked you are on the same course as me. I've not got to grips with geek name / real name yet.
I think we are a brilliant little group and (I don't know how to word this so please forgive) you must be coping wonderfully as nothing has been noticeable.
I have set aside today to do my gory drawings. Quite looking forward to it in a strange way.
See you Tuesday ( even though still not clicked who you are :)
Vicki x

Hey Vicki, have you worked out who it is? ;)
I bet you have after me pestering you on Wednesday,
that's another thing I should've considered, I have some dyslexia,
but more than spelling its to do with ordering sequences etc :lick:
It's me Bethan, was thinking of deleting this thread but will leave it because someone else might benefit from it.

I was meant to be doing a Luxury Spa Mani on my sister 12noon ...
so only 1 hr 30min late so far! :irked:

I bet curvygirl is having some sun whilst we are doing homework, lol xxx

[curvygirl]

:

I bet curvygirl is having some sun whilst we are doing homework, lol xxx


Hi lovely ladeez,
I am, but sat on the poolside with feet dangling in the water with my student textbook, reading up on spa manis and pedis as toying with the idea of offering them, especially if i go full-time. Not sure if I can afford all 4 systems at once though, have you seen how much they cost? :-0 did Sarah advise where to buy stuff for your ritual trays? X

[GetNailed]

Hi lovely ladeez,
I am, but sat on the poolside with feet dangling in the water with my student textbook, reading up on spa manis and pedis as toying with the idea of offering them, especially if i go full-time. Not sure if I can afford all 4 systems at once though, have you seen how much they cost? :-0 did Sarah advise where to buy stuff for your ritual trays? X


We've had the almond products (full size) in our kit.
I think I'd be more of a citrus range girl though.

ermmmm, price wise, I think good prices if you do the treatments regulary, but as I will be renting a room in a dance studio where there is no peace and tranquility don't think spa treatments will be popular there.

spa pedi's maybe at beginning of summer after winter boots, lol :p

I messaged you on facebook, got the little bowls/dishes beside the wooden bowl in pic from IKEA (kitchen area), 4 for £2.99.
Ordered ice cream spoons off ebay for spoon/spatula.

I only got back last night (been to london for 2 nites after last wk) and then monday will be back at hotel ready for tues! busy girl ;) xxx

[Dream Nails]

Hi Girls :)
Wow Bethan that looks lovely what you have done with the spa set up. Also don't worry about anything your notes were brilliant (I peeked as I didn't have my own and they helped :)
I'm going to be doing hubbies later today :). He rips his nails off so this will be fun I will post a pic later in my blog so have a look and let me know what you think.
I'm going to get the citrus range on Tuesday as I already have 3 customers wanting it.
Also have 4 for the Swarovski pedis when I get my crystals in next week :)

See you both Tuesday
Vicki x

[GetNailed]

thanks vicki xxx

think going to go down town to print nail pics. done 2 manis. have a look in clarks for some shoes too.

got spray bottle and sponge in homr bargains esrlier.

all these things are adding up. plus want to go professional beauty roadshow ...
if there's a bank robbery in wales it's me. lol. xxx

Sent from my GT-I9300 using SalonGeek

[Dream Nails]

thanks vicki xxx

think going to go down town to print nail pics. done 2 manis. have a look in clarks for some shoes too.

got spray bottle and sponge in homr bargains esrlier.

all these things are adding up. plus want to go professional beauty roadshow ...
if there's a bank robbery in wales it's me. lol. xxx

Sent from my GT-I9300 using SalonGeek

Grab some for me while you are there :)
Im going to professional beauty too. Have to see what day Sarah is competing and go on that day. We should meet up and compare purchases :)
Vicki x