🧵 Avoiding Burnout in My Crochet Business: Lessons I’m Learning

Running a handmade business isn’t always yarn and sunshine. Recently, I watched a video from Crochetpreneur titled “Burnout Isn’t a Badge: 5 Business Traps Draining Handmade Sellers (and What to Do Instead),” and it really spoke to me as both a crocheter and small business owner. Like many creatives, I tend to say "yes" to everything—custom orders, last-minute requests, odd hours—you name it. But I’m starting to realize that setting non-negotiables is key to protecting my energy and passion. I’m learning that it's not only okay, but necessary to say “no” to things that don’t serve my business in a healthy way. That’s not weakness—it’s a strength and a skill I’m working on. Another big shift for me is embracing profit. It’s taken some mindset work to understand that making a living from what I love is not selfish. It’s not wrong. Profit is okay. It allows me to keep creating and sharing joy with others. I'm also adjusting my social media strategy. In addition to Facebook, I’ll now be active on X (formerly Twitter) as @CSchiflett. I’m hoping that by focusing on just these two platforms, I can stay more consistent and visible without spreading myself too thin. One of the traps Crochetpreneur discussed that really hit home was Solo Mode Syndrome. I do everything myself because, like many small business owners, I can’t afford to hire help. And while I love the independence, it can also feel isolating. When I do seek help, like asking Pat for advice, he tries—but he just doesn’t understand the ins and outs of crochet or handmade sales. That’s why I’m reminding myself: it’s okay to ask for help from the crochet business community. There are others out there who do understand, and I need to stop feeling guilty for leaning on them for support and insight. I also realized how important it is to build rest and reflection into my business strategy. That means: White Space Time for creative thinking CEO Time for planning and evaluating Revisionary Time to make changes and improve Going forward, I want to run Christine’s Crochet Closet not just with passion, but with intention. If you're a handmade seller too, or just someone trying to balance work and passion, I hope you find comfort in knowing you’re not alone. We’re all learning as we go. Thanks for being on this journey with me. — Christine Christine's Crochet Closet