Deanna Hews | May 1, 2025
Why I Scaled Back In-Store Hours - and Why It Was the Best Thing I've Done.
A
fter sharing how stretched thin I've been lately, I figured it's time to explain one of the biggest changes I made earlier this year: I scaled back my in-store hours.
There was a time not long ago when I was open six days a week. That meant six days of early mornings, late nights, restocking, cleaning, chatting, prepping, sorting, and trying to look like I had it all together (while often forgetting what day it even was).
3 Things I've Learned from Slowing Down
Slower Doesn't Mean Lazy
It means sustainable. And I'm building something that lasts, not something that burns me out.
People Still Show Up
Even with fewer hours, customers kept coming. Because they're here for more than just a sale-they're here for the connection.
Rest Is Productive
Turns out, sitting down occasionally doesn't kill my momentum. It gives me fuel to keep going (and be less of a gremlin).
Small Shifts That Made A Big Impact
* Scaling back hours gave me breathing room-and clarity
* Creating space helped me reconnect with my purpose, not just my to-do list.
* Being transparent about my limits built trust-not distance-with my community
Slowing down didn't mean giving up-it meant finally breathing again.
Before: Hustling so hard I forgot how to breathe.
After : Embracing the chaos, in kids' clothes, on a couch I probably paid too much for-but at least I'm comfy now.
And I did it all while raising four kids, running the shop solo, managing a house, navigating ongoing health issues-and holding emotional weight I don't always talk about publicly. Because when you're the one holding everything together, the one person people rely on, it's easy to start carrying more than anyone sees. And some of it isn't visible in photos or captions. Some of it lives in the moments I don't post about-like when I quietly break down in the stockroom before opening the shop, or having to rebuild my own confidence after it's been chipped away at home. Eventually, my body pulled the plug for me. The ear infections, the chronic exhaustion, the hormone crashes, the iron issues, the ADHD spiral - it all caught up. I couldn't keep going at that pace. I didn't want to keep going at that pace. So I did something that, for me, felt terrifying: I scaled back. I shifted the store to be open four days a week instead of six. I gave myself permission to rest. To slow down. To stop wearing burnout like a badge of honour.
Spoiler: I still cared. I still poured my heart into this shop. I just also poured myself a glass of water and sat the heck down sometimes. And honestly? It was the right decision - not just for my health, but for my family, my sanity, and the long-term vision I have for this business. Slowing down gave me space to be more intentional, more present, and (shockingly) more efficient. Now that I'm feeling more grounded, I've been able to expand my hours again-and this time, I'm doing it from a better place. One that's built on clarity instead of chaos. One where I've learned to move slower, even when the pressure is loud. I can still connect with my customers. I can still share the best pre-loved finds. I just don't have to lose myself doing it.
So if you've noticed the changes lately-thank you for rolling with me. This little shop is still here. So am I. Wiser. Calmer. And finally learning that survival doesn't have to look like silence. And yes-I'm usually wearing real pants. Most days.
With love and a whole lot of hustle,
Dee
