The events industry is fun, vibrant, and filled with exuberating moments for everyone to remember. We thrive off room reveals and amazing reviews by our clients and their guests, and we create lasting experiences for a lifetime of conversation. Yet, smiles and laughter do not always come to everyone experiencing these amazing events.
The events industry ranks significantly high as one of the most stressful industries in the U.S. Specifically, event planning is ranked number six as the top stressful job in the world for the seventh consecutive year. As event planning professionals, we focus so much on the details of our work that we can forget to take care of ourselves. We may feel pressure to be perfect and to make sure everything runs smoothly, which can lead to stress, burnout, and even anxiety or depression. In this context, therapy can be an important tool to help process these feelings and should be considered as a service for event professionals.
Therapy provides a safe and confidential space where we can talk about our thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment or criticism. This can be especially valuable for event planners, who may not have many opportunities to talk openly with those who understand the industry’s unique challenges and pressures of the job. Event planners, caterers, florists, photographers, and even DJs experience fast-paced, high-stress environments that require them to perform and problem solve with little preparation, hence the importance of strategies and tools to manage emotions.
Coping strategies help manage stress, increase resilience, and improve our overall well-being. Techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation methods like yoga or meditation are key strategies that Event Therapy™️ Network shares with event professionals. In addition to processing coping strategies, therapy affords the opportunity to identify triggers and challenge negative thought patterns or beliefs that may be contributing to stress or anxiety.
Moreover, therapy can help event planners gain perspective on their work and develop a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in their career. By exploring their values, goals, and motivations through therapy, event professionals can gain clarity and focus, and develop a sense of empowerment in their work. This can lead to greater job satisfaction, better relationships with colleagues and clients, and a stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Event Therapy™️ has developed a network that educates, empowers, and encourages mental wellness for the events industry. Event planning professionals should consider utilizing therapy because it can help them manage stress, increase resilience, improve their overall well-being, and gain perspective on their work. By taking care of ourselves, we can better serve our clients, colleagues, and the events we plan, and enjoy a more rewarding and fulfilling career.
Editor’s Note: We are so thankful to have had Ms. Sawyer, a certified event planning professional (owner of SC Visionary Planning & Production Services) as well as licensed therapist (owner of Event Therapy™️ Network), provide sessions and lead meditation in our Wellness Lounge at Catersource + The Special Event 2023. Here’s hoping she agrees to return in 2024!
