Finding my way back to joy
during the pandemic
​as a self-employed massage therapist

​When my business was first shut down as per the governor’s mandate on March 17, 2020, I was able to stay pretty upbeat. My husband Jay was just five months retired. We decided to begin a big clean-out of our home of 30 years.

I enjoyed going through old photos and texting them to our two sons who both live out west. Those photos brought back wonderful memories of those living and loved ones who had passed. Going through those old photos truly brought me joy.
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Before we began the clean-out of the kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, and closets, we watched a few short films by Marie Kondo, the organizing guru who says, “... if it doesn’t bring you joy, say ‘bye-bye.’” The things we no longer wanted, we gave away, donated, or recycled. Other self-help teachers proclaim that when we clean out the old, it opens the door for wonderful new things to come into our lives.

One of the things that came in on April 28, 2020, sparking much joy, was my first grandchild, Nathan Chaim Needle. Nathan was born to my daughter-in-law, Julia, and my son Josh, who live in Henderson, Nevada. 

As the months marched on and the time approached to re-open my business in the end of June, I began to read what my profession was mandating to us to prepare for a safe reopening. My thoughts were, “I didn’t sign up for this!” All the time spent cleaning after each client, seeing fewer clients because of the time spent cleaning, more laundry, needing to reschedule clients who had gone on vacation out-of-state within 14 days of their previously-scheduled appointments, and the real biggie: removing any “clutter” in the massage room.

The removal of clutter was highly recommended to make cleaning easier. My massage-room clutter had taken many years to accumulate. I felt these objects helped to make the massage room my own; but remembering Marie Kondo’s words and the words of the other teachers about cleaning out, I couldn’t help but wonder what new joy I might be opening the door to. So I lovingly packed up the massage room and now it is much easier to clean.

Since reopening, I have welcomed new clients into my practice. I’ve gotten the in-between-clients cleaning down to a science. I keep an electronic picture frame in the massage room that constantly rotates the most adorable photos of my grandson. 

Towards the end of September, I finally took some time off to go to Nevada to meet my grandson in-person. It was a joyous week in Nevada, getting to know (then) 5-month-old Nathan. Nathan’s “Bubbe” (that’s me!) enjoyed doing some reflexology on those little feet. I loved working on his feet and he responded with love.
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At this time, it’s so important to look for the positives, to find joy no matter how small. I look for joy everyday and I find it!
Wishing you a healthy and joy-filled 2021!
​-Bobbi.

Celebrate love! 

Feel more balanced and connected to your partner or loved one (child, parent, friend) as you enjoy a 50-minute soothing massage of head, neck, shoulders, feet and back, side-by-side... by TWO massage therapists!
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Enjoy complimentary champagne and chocolate in an atmosphere of candles, soft music, and essential oils chosen just for you.

Call early, these times will fill quickly.
​Price: $140/couple.

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The importance of touch
​during the pandemic

Recently, while one of my widowed clients was receiving a massage, she said with tears in her voice, “You have no idea how healing your work is, Bobbi.” If you live alone, just being touched right now is vital. Touch is so important to us as humans. I’ve read studies on this, given speeches on touch, and taught classes like “Hugging 101.”

CoVID-19 has stopped us from visiting our loved ones in nursing homes and prevented grandparents from hugging their grandchildren. We hear about the many who have died alone in hospitals. If you are lucky enough to live in the same home with someone that you feel safe hugging (or even holding their hand), you are very fortunate.

I believe that the precautions I have taken to keep you and me safe during a massage are invaluable at this time.

Many of us will be having our winter holidays with only those who live in our homes. No extended family or friends. This can cause tension, anxiety, and sadness. All those things can be helped with massage.

In last year’s newsletter, I mentioned attending a three-day continuing education workshop in Fall 2019 titled, “Massage for Anxiety and Depression.” Little did I know how timely and valuable this knowledge would be in enhancing my massage and assisting all of you during this unprecedented time. I am so thankful to all of you. Because of you, I wake up each day excited to share my passion of providing massages for health and wellness.