Overcoming Burnout - Stefanie’s Story
Speaker, author and founder of “F*ck Being Humble”, Stef Sword-Williams’ previous approach to managing work stress was random and reactive. As were her trips to MASAJ.
Learn how she made massage a non-negotiable part of her wellbeing ritual, and how Bodywork helps her to spot when her body needs support, in our latest Journal entry…
“How has your relationship with bodywork evolved since you first started?”
I’ve never been great at prioritising self-care, I’m usually quite reactive when I’m feeling burned out or exhausted. But over the last few years, I have really started to invest in caring for my body as much as I do everything else in my life, and MASAJ has been such a big part of this journey. My trips to MASAJ are no longer a random treat when I’m desperately in need, instead, they have become a ritual and something I insist on keeping up with for my whole body wellness.
“What were your initial hesitations or misconceptions about massage, if any, and how have they changed?”
My main hesitation is that I used to see it as a luxury indulgence and something that can wait. But now I see it as something that helps me to stay connected with my body. Creating space and time to enjoy bodywork is something I look forward to, and it’s become a non-negotiable part of my schedule. I never regret a trip to MASAJ!
“Could you describe a moment when you really noticed the impact bodywork was having on your life?”
In 2024 I had an extremely difficult personal year and after months of neglecting my wellbeing, I finally booked myself in for a MASAJ treatment. The massage therapist I booked with was so welcoming and instantly made me feel at ease before starting the treatment. She was brilliant at guiding me through the session and after the treatment, she shared some amazing practical advice whilst also showing compassion to where I was at emotionally. When I got home I received a follow-up email via MASAJ with some additional recommendations from the massage therapist, and I left the experience feeling so supported. It was a time in my life when I really needed to feel safe and cared for, and the entire experience from start to finish was exactly that.
“How regularly do you have massage/bodywork treatments?”
At the moment, it’s every 6 weeks and I always look forward to my sessions.
“What challenges do you face in maintaining regular bodywork, and how do you overcome them?”
My biggest challenge I face is keeping my schedule free and creating time for me to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. I’ve started prioritising Fridays as my wellness days so I can have undisturbed rest time and enjoy the moments of self-care I book. What I love about MASAJ is there are always so many great specialists to choose from that even if my schedule changes I know there are so many great specialists to choose from.
“How do you decide when it's time to book a session? What are your body's signals?”
There can be a mixture of physical and emotional signs that trigger me to book a treatment. These could be things like muscle or back pain, or feelings of stress and overwhelm. I’ve found reconnecting with my body and listening to the signs of how it feels in certain situations to be such a powerful indicator of when it needs to be supported. I’ve spent years only listening to what my mind needs, but now I’m really focussing in on what my body needs to flourish too.
“What about MASAJ's approach to bodywork resonates with you personally?”
I really love the entire experience. From the interiors, to the customer service, to the scents you get to choose from, everything including the treatment is always such an enjoyable process. What I’m particularly impressed with is the quality of specialists working at MASAJ, from emotional support to technical knowledge I always feel in safe and knowledgeable hands. Being based in London life can often feel like you are running at 100mph but when I step into MASAJ I genuinely feel like I leave that busy external world behind and get to relax in a beautiful space.
