u/Standard-Moose-5156

Today I was feeling a little low after hearing about Hayden Panettiere’s death. She was such a big part of my childhood and we are close in age. Walking into a coffee shop this morning, I heard two young women talking about the news. I overheard one say, “She’s been out of Hollywood so long, there’s no way she was still struggling. Someone must have slipped her something.”

Something welled up in me about such a simple explanation. “She’s been out of this arena of her life for x amount of time, so certain struggle must go away.” As therapists, we all know that couldn’t be further from the truth, and while it’s frustrating to hear such shallow and insensitive thoughts in passing, sometimes I’m jealous of people who can have such a simple outlook on life.

I remember a colleague telling me “It gets lonely out there - we see things that others don’t.” I’m wondering if this resonates with any of you. Understanding human behavior not only comes with a lot of responsibility, but also a tax on our personal lives, because it can be so difficult to turn that skill off.

My business has been doing well, so I hate to consider changing up wax, but I am so fed up with the sinkholes, resetting wicks, frosting, and cauliflower type setting. No matter what I do, constant cosmetic issues. I spend more time on my heat gun than any other step.

I’m thinking of switching to coconut soy blend or coconut next season. I love golden brands so I’d love to stick with them. Which do you recommend, and what tips do you have if you’ve made the switch?

I’ve been printing my own labels using Online Labels, and it’s been great and affordable, but they do look like they’re printed at home, and I feel like my labels could use a face lift. Most purchased ones look like they cost $1 or more per label, and I can’t justify buying thousands of labels at once to bring the cost down. What do you guys with small companies use?

I am doing my first farmers market this weekend! Any advice or encouragement? I only have 6 products to sell since my fall candles aren’t ready yet. Thoughts to encourage sales and maybe creative ways to get the word out about fall release?

I am feeling defeated by the “not in their right mind” type of clients. I have had 3 incidents in the past year that end with them leaving abruptly, usually saying cruel things and with suspicions about my care that I cannot convince them otherwise on. I am less concerned about the potential for negative reviews, and more about how it makes me feel about my abilities as a counselor. All of these incidents have happened over small things, like setting a reasonable boundary or a having a small miscommunication. I don’t believe I did anything reckless or unethical. I am not sure what I’m looking for here, maybe just shared experiences so I know I’m not a complete goof. I know that not every case will be a success, but it seems like the ones who need care the most are the ones it’s hardest to give care to.

Edit to add: Before everyone’s advice becomes the tried and true “seek supervision”, I will add that I am, in fact, seeking supervision.

Hey y’all, I’ve been making candles for about 4 years, mostly selling to friends and family. Some online sales. Ive been wanting to get into markets, which means selling to the general public and increasing risk, but I only sell seasonally, through fall and winter. That makes it hard to justify a liability policy year round. I have warning labels and include candle safety instructions with every sale. Is this enough to protect myself and my company? If not, what’s the best way to insure?