My 4-Day Workweek and Why I’ll Never Go Back

Dec 17

When I first started my practice, I assumed the standard workweek was 40 hours across five days. That was what I had seen modeled everywhere, and I thought success meant filling my calendar from Monday to Friday.

But what looked like success on paper quickly became unsustainable in reality. By the end of each week, I was drained. I had little energy for myself, and even less for my clients. I kept telling myself this was just what it meant to be a therapist.

Until one day, I decided to try something different. I shifted to a 4-day workweek. And everything changed.

Why I Made the Shift

At first, the idea of cutting back a day felt impossible. I worried about lost income, unhappy clients, and falling behind. But I also knew that the pace I was keeping was not sustainable.

I asked myself: what would it look like to prioritize my energy and well-being over my calendar? That question led me to experiment with a 4-day workweek.

What I Gained

The shift did not hurt my business. It transformed it.

1. More Energy for Clients

With an extra day for rest and recovery, I showed up to sessions more present and grounded. Instead of dragging myself to the end of the week, I had energy for deeper, more meaningful work.

2. Greater Creativity

That extra space gave my brain room to breathe. Ideas for workshops, digital offers, and writing began to flow more easily. Creativity flourishes in rest, not in exhaustion.

3. Time for Life Outside of Work

For the first time, I had consistent space for my personal life. Appointments, errands, and downtime no longer had to be crammed into evenings or weekends. I felt like a whole person again, not just a therapist on repeat.

4. Stronger Boundaries

Clients adjusted quickly. In fact, most respected my boundaries more once I modeled them clearly. My schedule felt more in alignment, and my work-life integration became healthier.

The Fear of “Less”

One of the biggest fears I had was that less time working would mean less income. But here is what actually happened:

I raised my rates to reflect the value I was providing
I created scalable offers that generated income outside of sessions
I used my fifth day as space for creativity and systems, which grew my business in the long run

Instead of less income, I created more stability. Instead of less impact, I expanded my reach.

Why 4 Days Works

The power of a 4-day workweek is not just about working fewer hours. It is about shifting the foundation of your business to align with your energy.

Four days of focused, intentional work often create better outcomes than five days of depletion. That extra day of space protects your nervous system, fuels your creativity, and strengthens your capacity to serve.

My 4-Day Rhythm

Every therapist will design this differently, but here is how I structure mine:

Monday to Thursday: client sessions, content creation, and team communication
Friday: fully off, no email, no admin, no exceptions
Weekends: true rest, family, and personal time

This rhythm gives me the best of both worlds: a sustainable practice and a fulfilling life.

Why I’ll Never Go Back

Now that I have lived with a 4-day workweek, I cannot imagine returning to the old model. Five days of grinding no longer make sense when I know what is possible with four.

I am more energized, more creative, and more impactful than I ever was in the traditional schedule. My clients benefit. My business benefits. I benefit.

This is not about working less for the sake of it. It is about designing your business to serve both your clients and your well-being.

Final Reflection

If you are curious about trying a 4-day workweek, ask yourself:

What fears come up when I imagine working fewer days?
How could I restructure my schedule, pricing, or offers to make it sustainable?
What would more energy, creativity, and space make possible in my business and my life?

The truth is, you do not need to chain yourself to a 5-day, 40-hour workweek to succeed. You can design a rhythm that protects your energy and expands your impact.

For me, that rhythm is four days. And I will never go back.