What I Would Tell My 22-Year-Old Self
Forty years.
Forty years of sitting across from women, holding their hands, listening to their stories, watching trends come and go, and building a life one set of nails at a time.
If I could sit down with my 22-year-old self—the girl just starting out in the nail industry, full of excitement, ambition, and absolutely no idea what was ahead—this is what I would tell her:
Not about nails.
Not about technique.
But about what truly sustains a long, beautiful career.
Because success in this industry isn’t just about what you do with your hands…
It’s about how you take care of your body, your mind, and your energy.
1. Water Is Not Optional—It’s Foundational
Drink the water.
More than you think you need.
Behind the nail table, it’s easy to forget. You’re focused, you’re working, you’re in the flow… and hours go by without a single sip.
But dehydration shows up everywhere:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Body aches
- Dry skin and cuticles (yours and your clients’)
Water is energy.
If I had understood earlier that hydration directly impacts my stamina, my clarity, and even the quality of my work—I would have made it a non-negotiable from day one.
Your body is your first tool. Take care of it like your career depends on it—because it does.
2. Exercise Is Career Longevity
At 22, you think your body will always feel this way.
It won’t.
This career is physically demanding:
- Sitting for long periods
- Repetitive hand and wrist movements
- Leaning forward for precision work
Without movement, your body will eventually start to speak… and then it will start to scream.
Exercise isn’t about appearance.
It’s about:
- Strengthening your back
- Supporting your posture
- Protecting your joints
- Increasing your energy
If I could go back, I would tell myself: Move your body daily so you can keep doing what you love for decades—not just years.
Even a quick 10 minute walk daily can change everything. I have recently discovered Pilates thanks in part to my client and friend Angela Fero, owner of Rare Find Pilates and Wellness. Pilates has completely changed my life. By doing Pilates 2/3 times a week I’ve increased my posture and lengthened my spine to the point that I actually have to lower my stool. Contact Angela and start your Pilates journey… Instagram; @RareFindPilates
3. Meditation Is Mental Clarity in a People-Facing Career
When you work this closely with people, you don’t just do nails…
You absorb energy.
Stories. Emotions. Stress. Joy. Trauma. Celebration.
After 40 years, I can tell you—this builds up. Meditation became my reset.
Following Spirit Daughter on Instagram opened me up to a whole new world of insight and illumination. After taking dozens of online classes with Jill Wintersteen I learned how to clear all the static I had built up over the decades of absorbing other peoples energy. Meditation not only cleared my mind but through meditation and breathe work I have learned to create vital boundaries that allow me to remain calm in stressful situations and maintain my focus without any distraction.
Meditation is Life! I’m so grateful to have found Jill and Spirit Daughter. And, I am so excited to read her new book that just launched yesterday, the name says it all! I have learned so much from Jill and my life is forever changed. Spirit Daughter: Own Your Power Change Your Life available NOW on Amazon and other popular book stores.
Even just a few minutes of stillness:
- Clears emotional overload
- Grounds your energy
- Helps you stay present with each client
- Protects your peace
At 22, I didn’t understand how important it was to separate my energy from everyone else’s.
Now I know:
Your ability to stay grounded is just as important as your ability to do a perfect set of nails.
4. Nutrition Is Fuel, Not an Afterthought
Quick snacks. Skipped meals. Sugar for energy.
Sound familiar?
The nail industry can train you into survival mode eating.
But over time, that catches up. Staying away from flour gave me my hands back. At the 15 year mark I came down with severe carpal tunnel syndrome. After seeing so many of my clients have surgery to fix this, I noticed how the surgery debilitated their hand movement forever. So for almost 2 decades I suffered through the pain and wore wrist braces on both hands, while sleeping or just resting watching tv. My non dominant hand was the worst. Ladies, when we say relax your hand it’s no joke! To this day if someone is so tense I release my hand from them and sit back. I will not work on someone who refuses to relax.
Little did I know at the time that eliminating flour could reduce inflammation to the point that my hands would never tingle again. Thanks to Tom Brady and his Subway commercial where he states “But I’m Tom Brady, I don’t eat bread!”. I though hmm, if Tom doesn’t eat bread then I’ll try it. So January 1, 2021 I gave up not just bread but all flour foods. 6 months later my hands worked again.
What you eat directly affects:
- Your energy levels
- Your focus
- Your mood
- Your long-term health
If I could go back, I would say:
Eat real food. Stay away from flour!
Plan your meals. We get so busy there’s not time to sit down for lunch so bring simple easy to eat snacks like nuts, an apple, banana, a Kind bar (love those) and hard boiled eggs, the best source of protein.
Fuel your body like you respect it. Try intermittent fasting during your work day. I find on long busy days I work well having just water for endurance and black coffee as a pick me up, staying away from heavy carbs and sugar.
Because this career is a marathon—not a sprint.
You cannot pour into others if you’re running on empty.
What 40 Years Has Taught Me
I thought success would come from:
- Perfect technique
- Building a clientele
- Creating beautiful nails
And yes—that matters.
But what actually sustains a 40-year career is this:
- Taking care of your body
- Protecting your energy
- Creating sustainable habits
- Choosing longevity over burnout
To the Next Generation of Nail Techs
If you’re just starting out…
Or even if you’re years in and feeling the wear and tear…
Hear this from someone who has lived it:
You can build a long, successful, fulfilling career in this industry.
But only if you take care of the one thing that makes it all possible:
You.
My Legacy Year
2026 marks my 40th year doing nails.
And if there’s one thing I stand for now more than ever, it’s this:
A beautiful career should not come at the expense of your health.
At Nails Done Right, I believe in simplicity, sustainability, and doing things in a way that supports you for the long haul.
Because this isn’t just about nails.
It’s about building a life.
Thanks for reading… Lx
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Instagram: @nailsdoneright