Leicester nail tech: My maternal mental health struggles led me to the beauty industry

Nail artist & educator, Mika John of Contours by Mika, shares how poor mental health has impacted her life, and the positive impact of tekking…

I first realised I was struggling with my mental health about seven years ago while working in hospitality, but I didn’t take action at the time. I felt constantly overwhelmed and tired, simple tasks became daunting and I withdrew from activities I once enjoyed. After the birth of my son five years ago, these mental health challenges intensified. I initially planned to take six months of maternity leave, but extended it to a year.

The pandemic made this period even more difficult. What was supposed to be a time of joy was overshadowed by loss and mourning for family and friends taken by the horrible disease. Isolation from loved ones while caring for a newborn added to the strain of the situation.

I often found myself crying without reason, I experienced hair loss, and had mood swings ranging from extreme highs to lows. My mind was constantly racing, making it extremely hard to relax. I bottled up my feelings because I didn’t want to seem like I wasn’t coping. Especially within the black community, mental health is not talked about openly. Eventually, I realised that struggling doesn’t mean failing. I opened up to my partner and sought professional help, and now I’m part of a group of nail techs I’m able to vent with on bad days.

I’ve learned that speaking up and setting boundaries doesn’t make me weak; it makes me human.

Returning to work after maternity leave introduced intense mum guilt. I felt I was missing crucial moments in my son’s life. He became accustomed to my absence due to my demanding work schedule, and I felt like I was failing as a mother. On my days off, I was too exhausted to engage fully, which made me feel worse.

As mothers, we can be our harshest critics. Self-imposed pressure led me to compare myself to other mums, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy.

It was my mental health that led me to the beauty industry. To regain control over my life and be more present for my son, I decided to launch a nail business. This path hasn’t been without its challenges –  I overthink a lot, from client interactions to social media posts, and have struggled with self-doubt. However, it has allowed me to set my own schedule and balance work and family life more effectively. It has provided me with the flexibility to attend important moments in my son’s development, and reduced the guilt I previously experienced.

I advise always being kind to others, because you never know what someone’s dealing with. Social media makes it look like everyone has it all together, but behind the smiles and laughs, we all have our struggles. There are so many resources out there, from charities like Mind and PANDAS Foundation, and local support groups. Speaking to a GP can be a great first step, and reaching out to other nail tech mums can make a huge difference.

What I’d tell my past self:

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