The Flu Blues: Lessons from a Month of Survival Mode
I had big plans for February. But February had other plans for me.
Most of the month felt like a blur of tissues, thermometers, and wondering how one tiny human could possibly have that much energy while being sick. And just when I thought I was in the clear—boom—down for the count myself. Between being sick and caring for someone who was, I lost a ton of time on projects. And when it’s the shortest month of the year, that lost time hits harder. So here I am in March, playing catch-up.
But even in the middle of all the chaos, I learned a few important lessons. Lessons I wish I didn’t have to learn the hard way, but hey, we take what we can get.
1) Plan for the Unexpected (Because It Will Happen)
I’m not sure why I act surprised when something comes along and derails my plans. Whether it’s a sick day, a last-minute client emergency, or just life doing its thing, disruptions are inevitable. But February really drove home the importance of building in time for the unexpected.
Going forward, I’m padding my schedule a little more, leaving room for the days when I have to step away. Because if I don’t, I’m just setting myself up for stress. Speaking of stress…
2) Take Care of Yourself (Before Your Body Forces You To)
Not going to lie, I think stress had a lot to do with me getting the flu in the first place. And once I was sick, my pinched nerve—already a nuisance—decided to throw a full-blown tantrum. It was a reminder that I can’t keep pushing through exhaustion and stress without consequences.
Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and spa days (though I wouldn’t say no to either). It’s about recognizing when your body is telling you to slow down and actually listening before you end up flat on your back for a week. So, note to self: sleep more, hydrate more, stress less.
3) Automate as Much as Possible
The only reason my business didn’t come to a screeching halt while I was out of commission was because of automation. When things are on autopilot, you don’t have to think or worry about them—they just happen.
Email sequences, scheduled social media posts, invoicing—anything that can be automated should be automated. Because when life throws you a curveball (or a flu virus), the last thing you want to do is stress about posting to Instagram or sending invoices.
4) Social Media Breaks Are Actually Good for You
For someone who spends a lot of time on social media, I didn’t realize how much of it was unnecessary until I had no energy to scroll. Over the past few weeks, I learned to step away and only consume what was important to me. And guess what? The world kept turning.
Not every notification needs an immediate response. Not every trend needs to be jumped on. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your mental health (and productivity) is step back and be intentional about what you engage with.
5) A Project Management System Is a Lifesaver
There is nothing quite as overwhelming as realizing you have two weeks of work to catch up on. My ADHD brain does not handle that kind of chaos well. But having a project management system? Absolute game-changer.
Instead of scrambling and trying to remember what needed to be done, I could just rearrange my schedule and get back on track. Whether it’s Asana, Trello, ClickUp, or a good old-fashioned notebook, having a system to keep you organized makes all the difference.
6) It’s Time for Businesses to Move to ManyChat (or Bots) Over ‘Link in Bio’
I spent a lot of time looking at analytics in February (because, let’s be honest, I wasn’t doing much else). And one thing became clear—businesses need to move away from the whole ‘Link in Bio’ strategy and embrace automation tools like ManyChat.
The way people interact with brands on social media is changing. They don’t want to click a link, scroll through a landing page, and hunt for what they need. They want direct engagement. Chatbots and automated messaging systems create a seamless experience that actually helps convert followers into customers. It’s a shift every business should be considering.
7) Email Your List More Often (Seriously!)
If Old Navy can email me three times a day about $17 jeans and half-off sweaters, you can send more emails to your client database without fear.
I know a lot of small business owners worry about ‘annoying’ their list, but here’s the thing: your audience signed up because they want to hear from you. They want your insights, your offers, and your expertise. If you’re providing value, they won’t mind hearing from you more often.
So, here’s your reminder: email your list!
Moving Forward
February was rough. But it taught me a lot about resilience, boundaries, and the importance of setting yourself up for success before life inevitably throws a wrench in your plans.
Now that March is here, I’m focused on moving forward—catching up, recalibrating, and making sure my systems are strong enough to handle whatever comes next.
And if you made it through February unscathed? Well, I’m a little jealous. But if you had a month like mine, just know—you’re not alone, and we’re all figuring this out as we go.
Here’s to a smoother, more productive March!
