How stressful is being a florist?

I work with florists, helping them set up their websites and online presence, and one thing I’ve noticed is that many people come into this industry expecting it to feel calm and creative and it can be. But once real orders start coming in, there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than most expect.

From what I’ve seen, in the beginning, many florists are doing everything themselves, from preparing flowers to replying to messages and managing orders. That’s why I often see newbies having a hard time managing stress as a beginner florist. The good news is, it gets easier once you have the right systems in place.

So here’s all you need to know before getting started.

How physically demanding it can be

Friend, I'm going to hold your hand telling you this : Don't underestimate how physically demanding the work can be. It’s something many people don’t expect at the start.

Here are a few things you should definitely be aware of :

• You’ll be standing for long hours : Most florists spend the majority of their day on their feet, arranging flowers and preparing orders with very little time to sit down.

• Get ready for early mornings : Many days start earlier than expected, especially when there’s a need to visit the flower market or prepare orders before deliveries.

• Lifting and moving things will become a routine : There’s a lot of lifting involved, from buckets of water to boxes of flowers and constantly moving things around the workspace.

• Busy days are totally normal : During events or large orders, it’s common to work for hours without proper breaks just to get everything done on time.

  
  

Don’t worry though. Over time, the body does adjust. This is only one part of the challenge. 

The day-to-day work (shop + social media)

Another aspect to consider : the day-to-day side of the business can feel even more overwhelming but still manageable with the right mindset.

Here are a few things my clients have been sharing :

1. Talking to customers : There’s constant communication, answering questions, confirming orders and keeping customers updated. 

2. Taking orders : Orders come in from different places and it takes effort to keep track of all the details without missing anything.Take it slow dear friend.

3. Managing deliveries : Delivery times and locations need to be carefully organized to ensure everything goes out correctly.

4. Replying to Instagram DMs : Many florists rely on DMs which means constantly checking messages and trying not to miss important details. Turn on your notifications. The new orders happen unexpectedly. 

5. Posting and staying active online : On top of everything else, you’ll have to post content and stay visible. And that in itself can feel like another full-time task.

   
   

The stress really begins to build if things get messy and unorganized. So, read all my tips to avoid beginner mistakes. 

Tips to make things smooth in the first few months

After seeing how overwhelming things can get, I started focusing on what actually helps florists make things easier and less stressful. Here’s what I usually recommend:

1. Keep things simple : In the beginning, many florists try to do too much at once. I always suggest starting simple and focusing on what you can manage well.

2. Create small systems : Putting simple processes in place for orders and daily tasks can make a big difference and help everything feel more under control.

3. Don’t rely solely on DMs : From what I’ve seen, relying only on Instagram messages quickly becomes messy. Details get lost, conversations overlap and it adds unnecessary stress.

4. Have a proper website: This is where I’ve seen the biggest shift. A website helps you take orders clearly, look more professional, save time and avoid the back-and-forth that usually happens in messages.

   
   

It gets easier with time

Managing stress as a beginner florist gets much easier when you stop relying on manual work and put the right systems in place. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You will make mistakes but that’s how we learn the most valuable lessons, right ? 

Don’t stop pursuing your dream of becoming a florist. Follow your intuition, you know, that little voice telling you to keep pushing when things get tough. Don’t give up on your vision. And most importantly, breathe in and breathe out because many jobs are sources of stress. The floral industry is no exception. Anyone can become a florist and you can start by treating it as a hobby. 

See you in my next post, take care x