Question:
Hello All,
I've been practising Sports Massage part-time for a year now and had been really enjoying it. In the last month doubts have started creeping into my mind about whether I'm getting a bit bored. I then went on holiday for a week and I returned to work completely uninspired. I struggled through the week and feel like the interestI originally had for learning about Anatomy and massage has been totally switched off.
I'm doing about 15 hrs a week and I've been really successful at the clinic, I've also been building up my own practice. I just feel really bored and it seems like really hard work at the moment. I really enjoy attracting new clients and building up relationships but the massage has become my least favorite bit.
I've spent 2 years getting to where I am only to wonder if I should be doing something else.
Has anyone else felt this? Any thoughts on how I can get over it?
KW
Hi KW[/align][/align]Why not try adding a few new techniques on a short course somewhere, this can inject fresh interest and give you a new perspective on what you are doing :-)[/align]
Yes that's something I plan to do although because I'm having such doubts it's been a struggle to motivate myself. I just can't believe that one day I'm super happy and then the next I can't get my head round doing the job.
Hey KW
I would imaging, 99% of people in every job feel this way.
I though I was that 1% happy person when I left my job and became a therapist but now I find im losing interest again.
I really though I had the right career this time.
I guess at the end of the day we woudl all rather not work.
hope things pick up 4u
Hi KW
This is a feeling I go through every so often, and I find there is nothing like a new course to get me out of the rut!!
I have just done a frozen shoulder master class, which was really inspiring, and I regularly get my books out and have a read at different techniques that I could try and incorporate into my massage.
I hav e found at the moment I love doing back and neck massages, but the full body ones bore me..................must be time for another course!
K x
Thanks guys. kpuk, who did you do your frozen shoulder course with? I think something like that would get me interested.
Lucky G, what therapy's do you do? Have you decided to stick it out even though you're losing interest?
I'm sure there are people out there that love their jobs most of the time - why can't I be one?!
KW
Hi KW,
The master class was run by my local IGPP - whoops mean Embody - Co-ordinator and Group. They run regular meetings throughout the year covering a range of topics from Working with Angels, Massage Techniques, etc etc - some relevant to me and some not - but great for inspiration. Where are you based?
Even betterthe course was worth 5 CPD points! (I hate having to collect those darn points every year....but that is a different topic!) All the meetings are worth 2 CPD points.
Karen
I’m disappointed (but not surprised) to find that Embody still give CPD points for a course about “finding your angels” ! Personally I agree with Candie’s comment on the thread
Alan
My boredom has reached new heights. I haven't done a course because I'm not motivated and don't want to waste money if this career really isn't for me. I'm seriously thinking of giving up my part-time sports massage business and going back to working fulltime in an office. I could then do massage a couple of evenings a week for some extra money.
I've started thinking about having children in the next couple of years and receiving the benefits of being employed rather than self-employed have really started to become important. (i.e. maternity pay, hol pay, sick pay, regular hours, no late evenings).
How can I know if this is the right decision though? I just woke up one day in June and thought 'I'm bored'. The spark hasn't returned. I feel lost and miserable at the thought of never really enjoying my job that much. My office job is good but doesn't challenge me. All I can think now is work is a means to an end.
Feeling really lost....
KW
I think once something becomes a 'task', then it is time to move on. The people most affected are those on the couch. Even though you may be doing your very best to appear professional and in charge, they will pick up the vibes. My clients can pick up when I have had a late night, or if I am coming down with something - I get "you're not yourself today, are you?" - and they are always right! Thankfully I am not bored with what I do one little bit - however, when I was doing remedial massage I did get 'burn out' - then discovered MLD and haven't looked back since. Maybe it is time to reappraise whether bodywork is your 'thing'.
I got fed up with pointless CPD's years ago, and opted for insurance through a company that does not require them. I now only attend classes that are of specific interest to me and my practice.
I agree with Jabba. To quote from Fiona Harrold in ‘The Massage Manual’:
I would have thought that if a therapist is ‘bored and jaded’, her clients will quickly realise that the standard of her treatments has dropped and her client base will gradually diminish.
Alan
Thanks Jabba & Alan,
I totally agree about clients picking up how I feel. When I first started out I'd have done anything to have some experience under my belt and I always thought I'd give better treatments once I was a year in. I'd now do anything to have that felling of slight anxiety to do my best treatment.
I've decided to extend my office hrs and reduce massage hours right down. Hopefully this will make me more interestedin massage again. I'll do a few courses and see how I feel.
Jabba can you give me some info on MLD please.
Thanks guys (less lost but a bit sad)
KW
KW, sorry to hear your predicament - as a suggestion have you received any really wonderful and inspired massage (or otherbodywork)recently? From a therapist who loves their work, and is not in the same space you are? Perhaps rather than completely letting go and relaxing into the treatment,keep a portion of your mind on the 'what and how' of the treatment.This perhaps might inspire you and give your body and mind motivation, and rekindles the spark you obviously had.
Conversely perhaps try and find the most uninspired, formula, routine, average massage (if such a thing exists!) and see if that helps as a mirror to figure out where you are.
My humble thought is that for me massage is as much about the mind / mental side as the mechanics - to methe (holistic) combination isinfinitely more interesting and varied. Perhaps you are just focused on the mechanics - and I could see that that might get boring.
As others have pointed out courses should help - find something that stretches you (mentally and physically) and takes you out of that boring 'comfort zone' you feel yourself in.
Also I would take the 'doctor heal yourself' approach and suggest you take an holistic view of what may just be a symptom, and look at all the things in your life, and what has changed.
Finally I am with Jabba - if your head, your heart and your handsare not in it then your clients will pick up on it - and long term thats not a good thing for you or your clients.
Hope thats not too presumptuous and helps a little
InTouch
Hi KittenWarrior,
Check out for courses. I'm sure Jabba will give you loadsa information. I'm an MLD?CDT therapist as well - so please PM me if you have any questions.
LOL
FBx
Thanks In Touch. I think having a great treatment will make a difference to how I feel. Does anyone know any inspiring therapists in Bristol? Please PM me if you have any ideas.
Thanks for weblink FB, will have a look into it.
Been feeling really low with all the indecision and with still having to work so many hrs at the physio's. I'm going for an interview on Tuesday, so if I get that office job my massage career will be pretty much over.
Ho hum, life is odd isn't it.
KW
I've been practising Sports Massage part-time for a year now and had been really enjoying it. In the last month doubts have started creeping into my mind about whether I'm getting a bit bored. I then went on holiday for a week and I returned to work completely uninspired. I struggled through the week and feel like the interestI originally had for learning about Anatomy and massage has been totally switched off.
I'm doing about 15 hrs a week and I've been really successful at the clinic, I've also been building up my own practice. I just feel really bored and it seems like really hard work at the moment. I really enjoy attracting new clients and building up relationships but the massage has become my least favorite bit.
I've spent 2 years getting to where I am only to wonder if I should be doing something else.
Has anyone else felt this? Any thoughts on how I can get over it?
KW
Answers:
Hi KW[/align][/align]Why not try adding a few new techniques on a short course somewhere, this can inject fresh interest and give you a new perspective on what you are doing :-)[/align]
Answers:
Yes that's something I plan to do although because I'm having such doubts it's been a struggle to motivate myself. I just can't believe that one day I'm super happy and then the next I can't get my head round doing the job.
Answers:
Hey KW
I would imaging, 99% of people in every job feel this way.
I though I was that 1% happy person when I left my job and became a therapist but now I find im losing interest again.
I really though I had the right career this time.
I guess at the end of the day we woudl all rather not work.
hope things pick up 4u
Answers:
Hi KW
This is a feeling I go through every so often, and I find there is nothing like a new course to get me out of the rut!!
I have just done a frozen shoulder master class, which was really inspiring, and I regularly get my books out and have a read at different techniques that I could try and incorporate into my massage.
I hav e found at the moment I love doing back and neck massages, but the full body ones bore me..................must be time for another course!
K x
Answers:
Thanks guys. kpuk, who did you do your frozen shoulder course with? I think something like that would get me interested.
Lucky G, what therapy's do you do? Have you decided to stick it out even though you're losing interest?
I'm sure there are people out there that love their jobs most of the time - why can't I be one?!
KW
Answers:
Hi KW,
The master class was run by my local IGPP - whoops mean Embody - Co-ordinator and Group. They run regular meetings throughout the year covering a range of topics from Working with Angels, Massage Techniques, etc etc - some relevant to me and some not - but great for inspiration. Where are you based?
Even betterthe course was worth 5 CPD points! (I hate having to collect those darn points every year....but that is a different topic!) All the meetings are worth 2 CPD points.
Karen
Answers:
I’m disappointed (but not surprised) to find that Embody still give CPD points for a course about “finding your angels” ! Personally I agree with Candie’s comment on the thread
Alan
Answers:
My boredom has reached new heights. I haven't done a course because I'm not motivated and don't want to waste money if this career really isn't for me. I'm seriously thinking of giving up my part-time sports massage business and going back to working fulltime in an office. I could then do massage a couple of evenings a week for some extra money.
I've started thinking about having children in the next couple of years and receiving the benefits of being employed rather than self-employed have really started to become important. (i.e. maternity pay, hol pay, sick pay, regular hours, no late evenings).
How can I know if this is the right decision though? I just woke up one day in June and thought 'I'm bored'. The spark hasn't returned. I feel lost and miserable at the thought of never really enjoying my job that much. My office job is good but doesn't challenge me. All I can think now is work is a means to an end.
Feeling really lost....
KW
Answers:
I think once something becomes a 'task', then it is time to move on. The people most affected are those on the couch. Even though you may be doing your very best to appear professional and in charge, they will pick up the vibes. My clients can pick up when I have had a late night, or if I am coming down with something - I get "you're not yourself today, are you?" - and they are always right! Thankfully I am not bored with what I do one little bit - however, when I was doing remedial massage I did get 'burn out' - then discovered MLD and haven't looked back since. Maybe it is time to reappraise whether bodywork is your 'thing'.
I got fed up with pointless CPD's years ago, and opted for insurance through a company that does not require them. I now only attend classes that are of specific interest to me and my practice.
Answers:
I agree with Jabba. To quote from Fiona Harrold in ‘The Massage Manual’:
I would have thought that if a therapist is ‘bored and jaded’, her clients will quickly realise that the standard of her treatments has dropped and her client base will gradually diminish.
Alan
Answers:
Thanks Jabba & Alan,
I totally agree about clients picking up how I feel. When I first started out I'd have done anything to have some experience under my belt and I always thought I'd give better treatments once I was a year in. I'd now do anything to have that felling of slight anxiety to do my best treatment.
I've decided to extend my office hrs and reduce massage hours right down. Hopefully this will make me more interestedin massage again. I'll do a few courses and see how I feel.
Jabba can you give me some info on MLD please.
Thanks guys (less lost but a bit sad)
KW
Answers:
KW, sorry to hear your predicament - as a suggestion have you received any really wonderful and inspired massage (or otherbodywork)recently? From a therapist who loves their work, and is not in the same space you are? Perhaps rather than completely letting go and relaxing into the treatment,keep a portion of your mind on the 'what and how' of the treatment.This perhaps might inspire you and give your body and mind motivation, and rekindles the spark you obviously had.
Conversely perhaps try and find the most uninspired, formula, routine, average massage (if such a thing exists!) and see if that helps as a mirror to figure out where you are.
My humble thought is that for me massage is as much about the mind / mental side as the mechanics - to methe (holistic) combination isinfinitely more interesting and varied. Perhaps you are just focused on the mechanics - and I could see that that might get boring.
As others have pointed out courses should help - find something that stretches you (mentally and physically) and takes you out of that boring 'comfort zone' you feel yourself in.
Also I would take the 'doctor heal yourself' approach and suggest you take an holistic view of what may just be a symptom, and look at all the things in your life, and what has changed.
Finally I am with Jabba - if your head, your heart and your handsare not in it then your clients will pick up on it - and long term thats not a good thing for you or your clients.
Hope thats not too presumptuous and helps a little
InTouch
Answers:
Hi KittenWarrior,
Check out for courses. I'm sure Jabba will give you loadsa information. I'm an MLD?CDT therapist as well - so please PM me if you have any questions.
LOL
FBx
Answers:
Thanks In Touch. I think having a great treatment will make a difference to how I feel. Does anyone know any inspiring therapists in Bristol? Please PM me if you have any ideas.
Thanks for weblink FB, will have a look into it.
Been feeling really low with all the indecision and with still having to work so many hrs at the physio's. I'm going for an interview on Tuesday, so if I get that office job my massage career will be pretty much over.
Ho hum, life is odd isn't it.
KW
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